RNLI Sea Safety Weekend
Weathering the Storm – Indoors !
When we read about the new state-of-the-art facilities in the new RNLI training college in Poole in PBO (Practical Boat Owner) magazine many weeks ago we were mightily impressed. So when the RNLI opened its doors to the public for the first time to offer a limited number of places on a Safety Weekend which was run in association with the PBO, we knew it was too good a chance to miss.
On arrival at the fantastic new training HQ on Saturday morning we had little idea just how great the weekend would turn out to be.
Initial impressions were excellent, with all delegates getting an Information Pack which contained all the information you could need on what was happening throughout the weekend, where and when. As the weekend progressed you added to this pack with handouts and other materials you were given.
The aim of the weekend was to provide a range of lectures and activities on Sea Safety, whether your type of boating was under Sail or Power. The vast majority of activities were hands-on and provided an excellent opportunity to mix and chat to RNLI crews, Coastguard staff, Helicopter pilots, etc as well as other boat owners.
After checking into one of the “hotel” rooms incorporated into the centre (easily 4-Star standard) we assembled in the main purpose-built auditorium for the first lecture “Dismasted ! What Happens now?”
On stage were HM Coastguard, RNLI Lifeboat Coxwain, crew and shore volunteers and SAR helicopter pilot and crew who showed us how they are organised and work together in a scenario in which a yacht has been dismasted in the Channel and also has an MOB. The simulated radio conversations and other procedures were all illustrated with video, pictures and chart displays which brought it all to life.
Other activities included:
- “Firing flares” (on the beach!). How many of us get the chance to do this unless it is needed?
- “Man Overboard” (MOB). Not just using a Fender and Bucket, but REAL demonstrations of how to use your equipment to bring a heavy, wet (and possibly incapacitated) person back aboard when you may be much smaller and lighter. This was done off a REAL yacht and Motor Boat by the dockside. We all took pity on the RNLI person who played the “casualty” repeatedly landing in water of just 6 deg C whilst we watched from the Pontoon.
- “Getting Ready for a tow”. Be shown how and have a go at rigging-up and getting ready for a heavy-weather tow from an RNLI Lifeboat when few Sail- or Motor boats are equipped to take the kind of loading from the thick ropes carried by the RNLI lifeboats. How to cast a coiled rope.
- “Up and Away !” What to expect and what to do(and NOT to do) when a SAR (Search & Rescue) Helicopter is coming to your aid.
- “Equipped to Survive?” Far from being a blatant plug for you to purchase lots of safety equipment, this interactive lecture made you think about what you NEED for the kind of sailing you do and what you should carry.
The two biggest highlights of the weekend were “Lifeboat to the Rescue”. We entered a room, which is a replica of the bridge of a Severn-class Lifeboat, with “live” wind and speed instruments, GPS, Radio, Chartplotter, Radar etc. When they called for a volunteer to be in the drivers-seat, my arm shot up !
My objective was to pilot the Lifeboat to rescue the survivors of a container ship which was semi-submerged and on fire just outside the Dover Harbour wall.
In the Fog.
In the Rain.
In Heaving seas.
With little remaining daylight.
Meanwhile I am having to listen to several radio channels, monitor the Radar and my position on the chart plotter, control the Lifeboat and keep a constant watch to avoid running into flotsam and other vessels, and avoid running over survivors who are in the water waving at us.
The simulator felt SO real and the Waves, Tide (direction and speed), Daylight, Visibility, Weather, Number and location of survivors, plus other Lifeboats, SAR helicopters, etc all controlled by the RNLI instructor sitting somewhere in another room. Just for fun, the instructor made an Military Apache attack helicopter appear from nowhere and swoop down on us.
I very quickly got very sweaty palms and was grateful to let one of the other group members have a go after about 20 mins. WHAT AN ARCADE GAME !
The second highlight of the weekend (and for me the best) was “Survive the Savage Seas”.
We were required to dress in our normal sailing clothing, and don our foul-weather gear and a life-jacket. Then we entered what looked at first like a large in-door swimming pool, except the water was a cool-ish 16deg C.
Two 6-man life-rafts were in the pool (provided by Viking) as were several safety divers. I wonder what were about to let ourselves in for?
We split into two groups. It started easily enough, climbing into a life-raft from a pool-side ladder, where were instructed on some of the things we should consider if we found ourselves having to abandon ship.
Things got a sight more interesting after that. After being instructed on the correct posture when in cold water to preserve core body heat, we all took turns to jump into the water from the side of the pool to experience the sensation of a life-jacket inflating around our ears.
So far so good.
Then they turned OFF THE LIGHTS
Then they switched on the WAVES (2m high)
Then they switched in the WIND
Then they switched on the RAIN (a Deluge)
Then they switched on Strobe lighting to simulate LIGHTENING
Then they switched on LOUD NOISE of THUNDER, and OVERHEAD HELICOPTERS.
Lastly (for good measure) the fired a FIRE HOSE at us all.
We soon learned the benefit of a Foul-Weather jacket with a good hood (60% of body heat is lost through the head) and also a life jacket fitted with a spray hood (I was one of the ones without this).
Oh, and I nearly forgot - “would you all mind locating your group members and helping each other into your respective Life-Rafts?”
Sure – Piece of Cake (NOT).
We managed it (somehow), through determination and team-work. When it was done, we zipped up the flap and sang a song.
Some people wore dry-suits of the kind used by divers, which I felt denied them the chance to experience something that was a close as possible to the real thing
It was an experience I shall never forget – it was FANTASTIC. When they switched off everything and we clambered “ashore” I wanted to have another go!
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Another sea safety weekend is planned for October 2005. For more information contact the RNLI’s sea safety team on 0800 3280600 or visit www.rnli.org.uk
Mike & Sue O’Donoghue
“Kindred Spirit”
