No 64Autumn

2019

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF SALCOMBE LIFEBOATS - PART 2

The second of two celebratory weekends, marking 150 years of Salcombe and Hope Cove Lifeboats, began on Friday September 20 with a party at Salcombe Rugby Club as a thank you to the local community and lifeboat families for their loyal support.On the following morning, at Kingsbridge Quay, a memorial of the first lifeboat, hidden under wraps since its installation, was divested then swiftly concealed from anticipatory eyes by the RNLI flag in readiness for official unveiling. The inshore lifeboat, Gladys Hilda Mustoe with 4 crew arrived to tie up alongside. Meanwhile there gathered officials from the RNLI, from Devon, Salcombe and Kingsbridge Councils and from local museums. Press, police and television crews mingled with many interested spectators all politely marshalled into position in readiness for the Duke of Kent, President for 50 years of the RNLI, who was welcomed by Rear Admiral Bruce Williams, Chairman of the Salcombe Lifeboat Management Committee. His speech put into perspective the necessity for lifeboat presence where a long sea inlet and vibrant harbour lead into the channel with its rock bound coast and busy shipping lanes. Since 1869, launches total 1,619 with 526 lives saved and 1,475 people assisted; commitment to saving lives at sea continues assuredly into the future through today’s devoted volunteers.Rescue, the first lifeboat, was delivered by rail, to Kingsbridge thence to be horse-drawn down Fore Street, accompanied by bands playing and with captains, shipwrights, sail and rope makers, pilots, chandlers among the cheering townsfolk, to Dodbrook Quay for launching and the ceremonial row, with coxswain William Quick in command, to her boathouse at South Sands.The superb bronze model of Rescue was unveiled by the Duke and sculptor, Jim Martins to much applause. It vividly depicts crewmen in cork lifejackets rowing across a ‘sea’ of Portland stone to pull a survivor onboard. All is mounted on a stepped plinth, beautifully built in local stone, with commemorative plaque. Inside the plinth a time capsule of contemporary items secretes a glimpse of 2019 for future generations to discover. Kingsbridge Mayor, Anne Balkwill’s vote of thanks included a tribute to the sacrifices made by those willing to go to sea, irrespective of conditions, for the sake of others.

Sculptor Jim Martins talks to Sarah Wollaston MP in Cross Park Garden

There followed a swift transfer to Salcombe where the Duke was escorted on board the current all weather lifeboat Baltic Exchange III, for a fleet review of ex and current lifeboats headed by HMS Magpie H30, the immaculate Hydrographic Survey Vessel. Hope Cove Life Boat, one of the local rowing gigs, yacht club cadets and several private launches and yachts all joined the flotilla.Time for a quick coffee in the Fortescue Arms before Duke and entourage reassembled in Cross Park Garden for the second unveiling. Jim’s bronze model of the current Salcombe Lifeboat was similarly shrouded from view beneath the flag, her crew, all uniformly attired in lifeboat jerseys, lined up along the lower wall, their backs to the harbour, boats, blue water and sky in glorious sunshine; the perfect position for this moving memorial, encircled as it was by those closely connected- retired crew, friends, relatives, townsfolk and others to whom the emergency service means so much. Speeches reaffirmed gratitude to all involved in many capacities and town Mayor, Nikki Thurton spoke of Salcombe’s privilege in hosting the lifeboat and how, linked by the estuary, the two memorials symbolised a shared seafaring history. Nathan Dundas, the youngest crew member, solemnly folded the flag revealing the compelling bronze for admiration; close to jagged rocks on high seas another shipwrecked mariner was being pulled to safety.Interesting to note that the first lifeboat, powered by oars, cost £361 to build, the current one cost £2.3 million with engines supplying 2000 horsepower. Between these two, seven other all-weather lifeboats served the station over the 150 years- models of all nine are displayed in the Salcombe Lifeboat Museum- the first eight by Malcolm Darch, the current boat by Mike Atfield. A similar plinth contained the second time capsule of items, collected by museum officials, such as historical documents, books and photos of both town and lifeboats, souvenirs from the lifeboat shop and a snapshot of Salcombe in 2019 through a selection of recently published material.After unveiling the statue, the Duke was escorted to Holy Trinity Church to view the plaque commemorating 13 lifeboatmen who perished in 1916. Author, Roger Barrett gave a short account of the disaster, then he and filmmaker, Chris Tizzard were both presented with a framed certificate by the Duke in appreciation of their efforts in producing the book and film of the lifeboat station's history.Sunday was another memorable day, beginning with a service of celebration in a packed Holy Trinity Church. Britannia Royal Naval College Volunteer Band set the scene with a rousing maritime medley of hornpipes, shanties and sea songs until Iain Dundas, as standard bearer, marched in to ‘Hearts of Oak’. A tribute was given by RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, readings and prayers were read by Coxswain, Chris Winzar, Mechanic, Sam Viles and Lifeboat Operations Manager, Lt Cdr Andrew Arthur, the Salcombe Community Gospel Choir sang ‘Amazing Grace’ and Father Daniel French gave an amusing address during which he expressed great admiration for crews past and present and invited everyone to reassemble at Coleman’s Corner for a parade through Fore Street to the war memorial.

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF SALCOMBE LIFEBOATS (CONTINUED)Iain recovered the standard and marched out to ‘Life on the Ocean Wave’- a signal for all to follow and join the lengthy parade accompanied by musicians from Britannia.The memorial to 1916 disaster victims at Cliff House was re-dedicated, the last post sounded, ex-coxswain, Frank Smith marked a minute’s silence with canon fire and singing was accompanied by the band. Andrew Arthur rounded off the event saying “We’re proud of the continued hard work of all our volunteers and it’s wonderful to see the past 150 years of Salcombe and Kingsbridge’s rich RNLI history immortalised in these two fantastic sculptures.”Everything went to plan with perfect weather and tremendous community response.

FUNDRAISINGNorman Hore, our new PR and fund raising representative, organised a station display in the “Celebrate Start Bay" event at Slapton Field Centre and at Frogmore Regatta. In addition Brian Philips did a sterling job making sure that the supermarket collections continued apace. Norman would like to thank all the participating volunteers for their constant support towards our vital money-raising efforts.

Service of thanksgiving for crew lost in lifeboat disaster 1916

Frogmore Regatta Celebrate Start BayFITTING OUT FOR THE 2020 SEASONTime for winter maintenance and fitting out, so a plea on behalf of NCI watchkeepers who will be looking out for you and logging your craft as you pass any of the 56 stations around the coast. If you display a sail number and clearly visible name, preferably in bold, capital letters on hull, dodgers or both, your vessel will be correctly identified. Cursive script is a watchkeepers’ bugbear as it is much more difficult to read and could easily be mistaken, so if this applies to your boat, now is the time to improve your identity and make sure we record your vessel accurately. Should trouble arise, this could prove vitally important.

WHAT DOES A STATION MANAGER DO WHEN HE RETIRES?According to Andy Thomson, who retired after seven years as Station Manager at Prawle Point, he feels demob happy and plans to spend more time sailing; yes and more watchkeeping too.At this year’s AGM Andy praised the station he has managed so ably, thanked his committee for their professional achievements and congratulated hard working watchkeepers for exemplary service. He was pleased to report on his last national meeting of station managers when he not only shook hands and chatted with the Princess Royal but was commended by Lesley Suddes for running an excellent station.Kim Tucker was voted unanimously to move from Deputy to the vacant post and began his new role by describing Andy as a fantastic manager but a hard act to follow; such knowledge and experience will provide guidance for a while to come, he said.

Andy was presented with a delightful watercolour of Salcombe as a reminder that a significant part of his life will now be free to spend however he wishes.W e w i s h A n d y a w e l l deserved and enjoyable retirement and look forward to working under Kim's capable hands. As Facilities Manager, so frequent have been Kim's appearances, dealing with all eventualities at the Lookout at the merest drop of a hat, that it has been dubbed his second home!

Kim Tucker being presented with the Station Manager's epaulettes by Andy Thomson on

his retirement as Station Manager Andy with his watercolour of Salcombe

INCIDENTS TO DATE29.06.2019Casualty telephoned us to advise that due to engine failure his boat had grounded on rocks in Lanacombe Bay. Family all safe, he arranged to have boat moved on Sunday and towed into Salcombe. We informed Falmouth Coastguard in case boat drifted30.06.2019Vessel calls Falmouth Coastguard to report collision with a catamaran. They had been holed just above the waterline and were making for Salcombe. We advised Falmouth that we had both vessels visual. The Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat was sent to their aid and both vessels entered Salcombe Harbour.02.07.2019We observed a recently dismasted yacht off Prawle Point. Persons on board did not seem distressed. We called Falmouth Coastguard who tried radioing the yacht to no avail. We were asked to monitor and we also informed Froward Point NCI to keep a look out for them.04.07.2019A motor cruiser called Guernsey Coastguard to report engine failure off Bolt Head. Another motor cruiser offered to take them in tow into Salcombe. We reported the incident to Falmouth Coastguard and we monitored the tow safely into Salcombe.13.07.2019A 50' yacht requested assistance 10 miles south of Start Point. We reported that we had her visual and were asked to monitor. Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat was tasked to her assistance and she was towed safely into Salcombe Harbour.16.07.2019Falmouth Coastguard issued all ships radio broadcast for a Boston Whaler with engine failure outside Salcombe Bar. We reported that we had the casualty visual from Prawle Point. Salcombe Inshore Lifeboat tasked to her assistance21.07.2019While on watch this morning a member of the public came in and reported a substantial amount of rubbish left on the coastal footpath at Langerstone Point. He told us that it would fill at least 20 rubbish bags. We reported it to the National Trust rangers, who will check it out and take action.25.07.2019A yacht contacted us by telephone as they had lost power and therefore had no radio. We reported to Falmouth Coastguard and gave their mobile number. Although they were in the entrance to Salcombe, we could not locate them. Half an hour later, the yacht advised us by phone that they had managed to start their engine and were making their way into Salcombe Harbour.29.07.2019Yacht called us on Channel 65 to report they were caught on a crab pot line. We advised them to call Falmouth Coastguard on Channel 16. We reported to Falmouth that we had the casualty visual. The Salcombe Lifeboat was launched to their assistance. They were untangled and proceeded on their way.01.08.2019Telephone call from Start Point Lighthouse to say that a black rib with 6 persons on board and a white speedboat with 4 persons on board were harassing seals basking on the rocks off Start Point. The persons were then seen to get in the water and the seals were obviously worried and dived. This behaviour is so unacceptable. Reported to Falmouth Coastguard.08.08.2019Coastguard rang us to report a 999 call regarding a stand up paddleboard making very slow progress towards the entrance to Salcombe. They asked if we had it visual, but visibility was very poor. It was left that they would call us back if necessary.14.08.2019In heavy rain and strong winds we monitored a fishing vessel which remained in the same position for a very long time. After 2 hours we telephoned Falmouth Coastguard and reported that we could not see crew on board the vessel due to poor visibility. Falmouth radioed the vessel and confirmed all was well. On their return into Salcombe the vessel called us on Channel 65 and thanked us for watching out for them.15.08.2019 Pan Pan from a yacht with engine failure. We had the vessel visual and reported this to the Coastguard. The yacht managed to sail on foresail only and after we lost sight of it round Start Point, we continued to monitor on AIS and radar.29.08.201 Yacht called Coastguard with engine failure 2 miles from Start Point. We had the casualty visual and informed the Coastguard who asked us to monitor. After it rounded Start Point we continue to monitor on radar and AIS.23.09.2019 Motor Cruiser called Falmouth Coastguard reporting damaged stabiliser and requested assistance from Salcombe Harbour. We contacted Falmouth to say we had the vessel visual and were asked to maintain a watch on her. The vessel entered the Harbour and contacted the Harbour Authority. Falmouth thanked us for our assistance.22.10.19Coastguard phoned us today to ask us if we could look out for a lost liferaft somewhere off Bolt Head. Salcombe Lifeboat was tasked to find it and discovered it the other side of Bolt Head near rocks.30.10.19Member of the public called to say they thought there could be a body in the water off a beach. On closer inspection it turned out to be a false alarm. It was a fishing buoy with a net draped on it.3.11.19 We were telephoned yesterday regarding a stranded pilot whale on a local beach. We reported this to Falmouth Coastguard who let the British Marine rescue know. Unfortunately the whale was found to be dead.

Dolphins were sighted on 8 occasions and reported to Lindy Hingley of Brixham Seawatch

OUR VITAL SUPPORTER - THEO SPINKA love of sailing and the sea began in early childhood for Theo. Memories from the age of three are of a family boat on the Hamble and frequent holidays, with cousins, dinghy sailing in the South Hams when staying at Gara Rock and Thurlestone. Boating skills were casually acquired but she later took professional courses in Cornwall with further experience in Mirrors and Wayfarers advancing to competitive racing in Lasers on Coniston Water with the Birmingham University Yacht Club.Many years later, in June 2013 Theo was invited to join a yacht in the Round the Island Race from Cowes. The wind was strong, she remembers, but in spite of the all male crew allowing her only passenger status, the sailing passion was rekindled and a decision was made to join Salcombe Yacht Club when she moved from Kent earlier that same year.The natural progression from dinghies to cruisers soon saw Theo in demand as an accomplished crew member on several locally based boats, cruising and racing around the Channel Isles, Brittany, Normandy and the southern coast from Cowes to Cornwall. In 2014 she seized a chance of crossing the Atlantic in a friend’s Lagoon 50, by way of Guernsey, across the Bay of Biscay to La Corunna in northern Spain and on to the Cape Verde Islands for the two week crossing to St. Lucia. Asked about the highlights, she recalled the thrill and adrenalin rush in boisterous conditions, at night phosphorescence in the water and the magnificence of the Milky Way in mid-Atlantic.Such experiences soon prompted her to take a Day Skipper course run by Andy Thomson, Station Manager at NCI Prawle Point. Having sailed past there so frequently, the subject of watchkeeping became a familiar topic of conversation with Andy and, already a keen supporter of RNLI and Devon Air Ambulance, Theo declared herself a huge fan of Coastwatch too. She was professionally instrumental in Andy’s recent move from Frogmore to Stokenham and it was during this time that he mentioned there was something she may like to do for Prawle Point and so the printing of this newsletter is now in Theo’s capable hands at the offices of Luscombe Maye in Salcombe who kindly print the newsletter free of charge; a huge and much appreciated practical support. Grateful thanks to Luscombe Maye Estate Agents appears in each newsletter at the foot of page 4. Thanks toTheo Spink By way of postscript, it is interesting to note that Theo’s father, who was stationed with the Shetland Isles coastal command during the war, piloted Sunderland aircraft tasked with bombing U boats. The family originated from Yorkshire and there developed a strong association with RNLI activity.

YOUR NEWSLETTERSoon after the opening of an NCI station at Prawle Point on April 5 1998, watchkeeper and journalist, Joan Gross launched newsletter no: 1 dated Spring 1998 and continued as editor until 2008 when she moved to Wales. During this period I wrote articles on a regular basis, was dubbed ‘roving reporter’ by Joan and began assisting with mailing and distribution. Accordingly, when Joan resigned, I assumed the role of editor for the Spring 2008 edition, no: 29, and am grateful to her for passing on her knowledge, experience and vision which have been invaluable.I have enjoyed this task in so many ways, interviewing interesting people, gaining admission to several locations otherwise inaccessible, attending significant events, boarding fascinating boats and visiting other coastwatch stations, to name a few perks of the job. Also very rewarding are encouraging comments from local fishermen, boatbuilders, publicans and cafe owners, friends and appreciative readers I meet when distributing locally; this I shall miss. Now with this latest Autumn 2019 edition, issue no: 64 it is time for fresh ideas. PQ Issue Number 1I should like to thank Nick Walker and his team for their unfailing patience, help and kindness from the outset until Summer 2017 when Theo Spink volunteered with printing (see the above article). Apart from a colourful special 10th Anniversary edition, the newsletter appeared in black and white until a new, coloured, more modern layout was introduced in 2017 when Nancy Sinclair offered a completely different design. Since then Andrew Northrop has compiled all further editions within this new format. Sincere thanks to them both.The newsletter is currently mailed to over 80 subscribers and associates around the country and delivered by hand to around the same number of readers locally. Thanks are due to Jo Lapthorn who delivers within Kingsbridge after kindly offering several years ago. A full archive of all editions is kept at Prawle Point Lookout Station.Ideas are afoot for changing to an eNewsletter that can be sent via email and also have video embedded within. It will have more photographs and the occasional video collected over the months prior to issue. Please keep an eye on the NCI Prawle Point website for further information.Retiring Editor- Jenny Brown

Please help us to maintain this valuable service by making a donation and becoming a Supporter of NCI Prawle Point, or becoming a Watchkeeper. If you are interested in either, please phone the Lookout on 01548

511259 or visit our Website at www.nci-prawlepoint.org.uk. You can also contact The Secretary on PO Box 58, Kingsbridge TQ7 2ZQ. We look forward to hearing from you and are most grateful for your support.

Prawle Point NCI Newsletter, edited by Jenny Brown, compiled by Andrew Northrop Prawle Point NCI Charity Number: 1159975. Call us at Prawle Point NCI on VHF Channel 65.

Follow us on FacebookGrateful thanks to Luscombe Maye Estate Agents, 2 Island Square, Island Street,  Salcombe TQ8 8DP  

for printing this Newsletter Tel: 01548 843593 email: salcombe@luscombemaye.com