RNLI Offshore Spring 2023

OFFSHORE

WILD DELIGHTS

BE TRANSPORTED TO THE CONNEMARA COAST P8

P2 WHERE TO DISPOSE OF YOUR OLD FLARES | P4 TRICKS OF THE TRADE: HOW TO FIX A DAMAGED LIFEBOAT HULL | P11 DRAMATIC YACHT RESCUE: RUDDERLESS ROUND LAND'S END | P14 YOUR GUIDE TO FILMING YOURSELF SAFELY

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

YOU'VE LOST POWER AND RUN AGROUND

P16

Dear reader

We’re launching into a new season, with some promising weather for watersports on the horizon.

Your spring Offshore is packed with useful info. From how to film safely on a SUP (p14) to what to do if you run aground (p16) as well as a close look at RNLI hull repairs (p4). You’ll also find local RNLI volunteers sharing what they love about the Clifden area of Co Galway (p8). And finally, you’ll find readers Delia Swift and Chris Bell’s hairy rescue story on p11 – a reminder that the sea is unpredictable year-round!

We hope you find this issue insightful and practical. And we’d love to hear from you about your experiences of rescue and selfrescue, so please do drop us a line at the email address below.

With warm wishes,

and the Offshore Team

Email: offshore@rnli.org.uk

Spring 2023 | ISSUE 95

Getting rid of your flares just got a lot easier, with a searchable online map of disposal sites

©RNLI 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted with the prior consent of the RNLI. Opinions expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Care is taken to ensure that editorial information is correct at the time of going to press but is subject to change.

Acting Chair: Janet Legrand KC (Hon)

Chief Executive: Mark Dowie

Offshore Editor: Anna Burn

Offshore Design: Andy Perryman

CONTACT US

If you have any enquiries – or would prefer not to receive this magazine – please email supporterexperience@rnli.org.uk.

Alternatively, please call 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 663234 (from any other country) weekdays 8am–6pm, or post c/o RNLI Support Centre, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney

LIFESAVING GIFTS AT SHOP.RNLI.ORG

STORM GLASS

A 14cm storm glass for indoor use. The liquids within the glass are thought to predict weather through changes in appearance

– streaks, cloudiness, flakes and crystals. Always check official forecasts when planning around weather.

RRP £16

Ref: RS2033202

Front cover photograph: RNLI/Andy Parish

Anna Burn

ON THE RADAR

Need to get rid of those old flares? Expired marine pyrotechnics are classified as explosives under the UK's Explosives Regulations 2014, so you must dispose of them responsibly. Fortunately, the pleasure vessel industry has a new solution.

The RNLI and MCA can no longer accept out-of-date pyrotechnics from the general public due to a change in regulations but new arrangements, supported by British Marine and the RYA, mean that people can now search an online map to quickly find businesses across the UK that offer safe disposal. The number of participating businesses continues to grow, with 21 outlets providing the service at the time of writing.

Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes says: ‘This is a very important breakthrough and I’m very grateful to British Marine and the RYA, together with the wider marine and waste disposal industries, for working to find and provide a solution to this ongoing challenge. Providing disposal services for redundant marine pyrotechnics is really important as they can pose a risk to public safety and the marine and coastal environment.’

Guidance can be found at https://gov.uk/environment/marine

DIGITAL COMPASS BAROMETER ALTIMETER

An off-the-beaten-path piece of kit tracking a host of functions into a compact form, including digital compass, altimeter (feet or metres) and barometer (hpa, mmHG or HG). Not waterproof.

RRP £40

Ref: RS2033208

GLÖDE ONO BEAM 5W HEAD TORCH

See and be seen with our bright 5W headtorch. With a beam across the front of the headband and a 3W focus beam, it’s perfect for running, fishing, hiking and camping.

RRP £30

Ref: RS2333107

In this issue of Offshore, quotes, practical advice and lifesaving tips are brought to you by:

MICHAEL COLEGATE RNLI SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE ENGINEER

Michael worked in composites in the aviation industry for 27 years, before joining the RNLI.

REBECCA EDWARDS

Rebecca runs a boating lake in Colchester and champions paddle sports among young women.

PADDLEBOARDING INSTRUCTOR AND BRITISH CANOEING AMBASSADOR

KITTY NORMAN

RNLI LIFEBOAT TRAINER

Kitty teaches our lifesavers how to prepare for any eventuality on a shout, and how to keep everyone safe.

‘Providing disposal services for redundant marine pyrotechnics is really important’

Photo: RNLI\Nigel Millard

HULL REPAIRS

Even with the best planning, skill and care, boats get damaged at sea. From woodpeckers to heated blankets, discover the latest techniques used to assess and repair allweather lifeboat hulls – and how to keep your own boat safe to sail

PUT TO THE TEST

We ask a lot of our lifeboats. Crews operate in the roughest conditions to save lives, coming alongside other craft and going into shallower waters to reach casualties. They take great care of the lifeboat entrusted to them, but knocks and scrapes happen.

Our newest all-weather lifeboat hulls, including the Shannon class, have a durable sandwich construction. A thick foam core is set between two thin composite ‘skins’ – a woven fabric layered with epoxy resin. (Most leisure boats have a thicker, single-skinned polyester composite hull, although advanced designs and racing yachts may have a foam core.)

‘It’s more weight-efficient and durable to have a foam core, rather than a single solid skin,’ explains RNLI Senior Naval Architect Pete Sheppard. ‘That strength also limits deflection and bending of the hull, by the considerable forces lifeboats undergo.’

Lifeboats’ spray rails, tow rails and bilge keels are also designed to detach on impact, without damaging the main structure. ‘A bit like a lizard escaping by losing its tail, except our lifeboats can’t grow them back … yet!’ says Pete.

Until we invent self-regenerating lifeboats, repairs will be needed. As the lifespan of lifeboats is extending and more advanced materials are used in their construction, we’re finding that older repairs are needing rework – and a new technique may hold the answer.

MORE THAN SKIN-DEEP

The sandwich construction is incredibly durable, but after an impact, scratches on the surface can run a lot deeper, and true damage is harder to spot than on a single-skinned boat.

‘When you hit any composite – a bit like with your car bumper – they often bend in and then spring back,’ says Michael Colegate, RNLI Safety and

Compliance Engineer. ‘Damage can be barely visible, but the fibres break out on the inside, splitting and separating so you’ve no longer got one strong piece of material. That’s when big cracks can form underneath.’

The risk with all composites, Michael adds, is that damage and fatigue aren’t always obvious: ‘They look perfect but, when that underlying weakness is put under stress, they just snap.’

This hit home in 2014, with the tragic loss of the crew on Cheeki Rafiki. Investigations revealed that a series of previous groundings could have contributed to the yacht’s keel shearing off in the Atlantic.

Since the investigation, the use of non-destructive testing (NDT) has become more common in boatyards, as insurers check that dangerous hidden damage or incomplete repairs don’t remain after a boat grounds.

WHAT’S THE DAMAGE?

Weak areas in any composite can be tricky to spot without causing more damage to the boat itself.

NDTs developed for aviation composites are now being used to assess lifeboat hulls before repairs and refits. We use x-rays to check the deck is still well bonded to the hull, while ultrasound can give good indications of damage within thick laminate.

Thermography, first used on aeroplane wings, applies heat to an area and then maps how it disperses through the laminate to highlight weak or missing layers. In shearography, a laser scans the surface as a vacuum is applied to it. The laser picks up any deflection of the surface, indicating weakness in the structure.

One technique predates the age of flight, but still holds water today. ‘You may see your surveyor tapping your boat with a little hammer or a coin. A dull, hollow thud indicates the extent of any damage,’ says Pete. ‘It’s like detecting a rotten bit of wood in your windowsill by tapping it, however good the paint on top looks.’

Now the RNLI uses an automated tapper or ‘woodpecker’, which creates a digital picture of the damage from the resonance of each tap. Surveyors can check that structural elements are still attached to the hull, without squeezing into small spaces inside the boat.

PREPREG OR WET LAYUP?

Once damage has been assessed, repairs are specified. Traditionally, composites are repaired with a ‘wet layup’ technique, where a mat of fibres is wetted with resin manually, then put onto the side of the boat to form the repair. It can be messy, heavier due to excess resin, more wasteful, and a rush

Work on the durable hull at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre

NEED TO KNOW

to get everything in place before it cures.

KEEP YOUR BOAT’S HULL SAFE

• A lot of it is TLC – know your boat, know what’s already there and what’s new. Any new starcrazing in the gelcoat is always worth checking out.

• Note any cracks in the gelcoat around cleats or winches, and check whether the backing plate is large and secure enough underneath. Sometimes owners have asked lifeboat crew to set up a tow on what they assumed was their boat’s strong point, but the tow could have pulled out the whole deck.

• After any repair, look out for hairline cracks appearing around it. They could be a sign that the repair hasn’t bonded properly.

• Speak to your insurer or marine surveyor if you’re unsure, especially after a grounding.

It also doesn’t match the advanced composites our latest lifeboats are made with. ‘When different materials to the hull are used in a repair, you can get weakness between the new material and original, which is then compounded by loading forces, and the twisting and bending motions of the lifeboat,’ says Pete. We’ve now started using the ‘prepreg’ technique on Shannon and Tamar class repairs, where a woven layer of fibres comes ready-impregnated with the right amount of epoxy resin. The repair is cut to size, formed to the hull, and then tucked up in a heated blanket to cure it at 80–90˚C. The resin flows into the fibres, wets them out, and drives out air bubbles to make a very strong seal. Vitally, the repair matches the composition of the original hull, making for a more uniform, stronger and longer-lasting repair.

READY TO REPAIR

Once the repair has been specified, the damaged area is cleaned of salt water, oil and grease, and then dried out. Paint is sanded back and, if there’s extensive damage, the outer skin may be sawn away to uncover the cracks in the core. Because prepreg repairs match the advanced epoxy material of the original hull, these types of repairs aren’t limited by size – matching materials give much greater flexibility. ‘We can take more away than is actually damaged, to simplify the repair or avoid a new join being in a highly loaded area, such as under a cleat or a windlass,’ says Pete.

In areas with sandwich construction, the inner skin is repaired first, then the foam core replaced, and finally the outer skin, all bonded together in the heat curing process. With the paint reapplied, the lifeboat is ready to resume its lifesaving duties. In the future, ready-prepared kits including

PETE SHEPPARD RNLI SENIOR NAVAL ARCHITECT

' It's more weight efficient and durable to have a foam core rather than a single solid skin'

Pete Sheppard, RNLI Senior Naval Architect

Our latest lifeboats are made with advanced composites

Attention to detail is vital

A Shannon class lifeboat, newly painted

CASE STUDY: PREPREG REPAIR ON A SHANNON

A Shannon class lifeboat was damaged when completing a manoeuvre. What looks like a scratch in the paintwork hides greater damage beneath. As the outer skin deflected inwards, it shattered the foam core. Completed last year, this was the first Shannon repair to use the prepreg technique.

Damaged core removed, with an internal former in place to maintain the

OUR EXPERTS

heat mats and materials could help more repairs happen on station, getting lifeboats back in service faster. The possibilities of prepregs are exciting, but Michael has a final word of caution: ‘Remember it’s best to match repairs to your boat’s

construction. Modern wet layup repairs are still very effective in leisure use and better match how many older boats were made. Plus the heat curing of prepreg repairs can generate steam and actually force the composite apart, if used on an older boat with osmosis.’ ■

Pete has worked in composites for over 30 years. Before joining the RNLI 16 years ago, he worked at a boatyard, project-managing builds of Severn, Trent and Tamar class lifeboats.

Michael worked in metallic parts and composites in the aviation industry for 27 years, before joining the RNLI. Starting in the composite and fit-out bays building Shannons at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre, he's now in the Naval Architecture Team.

Words: Philly Byrde

Photos: RNLI/(Michael Colegate, Pete Sheppard, Nathan Williams)

STAY SAFE Find safety advice for your watersport at RNLI.org/safety

Exterior damage visible on the bow.

hull’s shape.

Removing the damaged foam core. Outer skin laminated and cured, new spray rail attached.

New section of foam core fitted (beige-coloured section), larger than the damaged area to avoid a join in a high-stress location.

Damaged core revealed by removing the outer skin.

STAGE 1

STAGE 4 STAGE 3 STAGE 6

STAGE 5

STAGE 2

PETE SHEPPARD RNLI SENIOR NAVAL ARCHITECT

MICHAEL COLEGATE RNLI SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE ENGINEER

'

With composites, damage or fatigue isn't always obvious'

Michael Colegate

CLIFDEN

EXPLORE THE ISLANDS, RUGGED HEADLANDS, COASTAL CAVES AND SANDY BEACHES OF CONNEMARA

As backdrops to life go, it doesn’t get more impressive than a mountain range. And that’s exactly what Clifden, the ‘capital’ of the Connemara region in Co Galway, has. Enjoying the best of both worlds, the coastal town is nestled between the Twelve Bens mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean. ‘Next stop America!’ says John Brittain, Lifeboat

Operations Manager at Clifden RNLI. Rugged headlands, islands, coastal caves and sandy beaches make the area popular for coastal walking and watersports – from sailing, surfing and snorkelling, to kayaking, coasteering and fishing.

‘It’s very picturesque,’ says John. ‘Some of the beaches are so remote

you won’t see a single person for days. Omey Island – a tidal island with sandy beaches all around – makes a lovely 4-mile walking circuit.’

Walk or drive across the strand to Omey from Claddaghduff but check the tide times before you go. ‘Otherwise you’ll be there for a good deal longer than you expected!’ says John. ‘For the more adventurous, the Twelve Bens are fantastic for hillwalking. You’ll need a map and a compass.’

Snorkelling, sunset kayaking, seaweed baths and locally smoked salmon. Three Clifden RNLI volunteers dive into the wild delights of western Ireland’s Clifden and the Connemara region

OUT ON THE WATER

Spend a day on Inishbofin Island –6 miles off the coast – where you’ll find sandy beaches perfect for swimming and snorkelling. ‘The ferry goes every morning at 11.30am from the village of Cleggan,’ says John. ‘If you’re lucky you might see a dolphin on the way. You can rent bikes on the pier too.’

For a fishing trip, John runs a seaangling business, Blue Water Fishing, for beginners to experts. ‘We catch a variety

of fish from mackerel to bluefin tuna,’ he says.

Other nearby pristine beaches with crystal clear waters include Dog’s Bay and Aillebrack, and the best beach for surfing is Dunlaughin, near Ballyconneely. Families can enjoy a day out at Coral Strand Beach, made up entirely of coral pieces. There’s a car park there, making it easily accessible.

‘A local company, Real Adventures, will take visitors out surfing, kayaking,

coasteering and more,’ says Crew Member Thomas Davis. ‘If you’re interested in sailing, it’s easy for yachts to come here and take shelter. There’s a club in Clifden Bay with visitor moorings.’

Crew Member Andy Bell adds: 'Unless the weather is bad, there’s nothing as nice as sailing around the offshore islands. But there’s always somewhere safe and sheltered to sail, and some local lakes are big enough to practise on.’

The sign for Sky Road and a glorious view near Clifden

Find good surfing spots at Dunlaughin, near Ballyconneely

Clifden Harbour's perfect for a visit or for shelter

The picturesque Clifden Harbour at high tide

Try wild Irish smoked salmon, a local speciality

DID YOU KNOW?

Derrigimlagh Bog, south of Clifden, is famous for being the site where the first pilots to fly non-stop across the Atlantic safely crash-landed in 1919. There’s a memorial there to the pilots, John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown.

INSIDER INFO

'There are many areas to snorkel around here where you’ll see flatfish, lobsters, ray, crabs – all sorts! Coral Strand would be a great place to go'

THOMAS DAVIS VOLUNTEER CREW MEMBER

'I recommend going to the Connemara Pony Shows, held from the end of May to the end of August. It’s such a good day'

AISLING SWEENEY VOLUNTEER CREW MEMBER

'I love to play golf and one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world is the Connemara Golf Links in Ballyconneely'

MIRYAM HARRIS VOLUNTEER WATER SAFETY OFFICER

Rocky, exposed and often battered by storms, this stretch of coastline isn’t without danger. Water Safety Officer Miryam Harris advises visitors: 'Ask local people about tides, the weather and local conditions before entering the water. Tell someone where you’re going and have your phone on you. And wear a lifejacket. Err on the side of caution: if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t go in.’

MORE

TO EXPLORE

North of Clifden, you could sample the health benefits of a seaweed bath at the Leenane Hotel, Killary Harbour. Or explore Connemara National Park – a spectacular 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heathlands, grasslands and forests. ‘Walk up Diamond Hill in the national park for a 360° view from the top,’ recommends Miryam.

TELL US WHERE YOU LOVE

Other local attractions include the historic Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens. And foodies can visit the Connemara Smokehouse, which specialises in wild Irish smoked salmon. The area is well-known for its seafood and the crew recommend Guy’s Bar, Foyle’s Hotel and Griffin’s Bar for good food and drink. ‘We go to Griffin’s for a coffee after a shout,’ says Crew Member Aisling Sweeney. ‘And the homemade seafood chowder there is absolutely delicious.’

FIND OUT MORE seafishingireland.net, smokehouse.ie, realadventures.ie, clifdenboatclub.com, connemaragolflinks.com ■

Words: Amy Bratley

Photos: Thomas Davis, Miryam Harris, RNLI/Nigel Millard, Shutterstock.com

Let us know which area of coastline you’d like to see here in future issues by emailing offshore@rnli.org.uk.

I love where I live because ...

The pristine beach with crystal clear water at Dog's Bay

Boardwalk to the Derrigimlagh Wild Atlantic Way viewing point

Sunset kayaking is a popular activity

RUDDERLESS ROUND LAND’S END

IN JUNE 2021, EXPERIENCED SAILORS DELIA SWIFT AND HER HUSBAND CHRIS BELL SET OFF FROM CHICHESTER HARBOUR WITH THEIR DOG OZZY, ON A VOYAGE AROUND BRITAIN. AT LAND’S END 3 WEEKS LATER, THINGS FELL APART ...

The first few weeks afloat passed peacefully along the south coast. But when they reached Padstow Harbour in north Cornwall, their luck ran out. An unusual run of strong northerly winds held them there for 13 days. Chris explains: 'We calculated the remainder of the trip and it was going to be around 50 miles a day, every day. So we aborted.’

Watching the forecast closely, Delia and Chris picked their moment and left Padstow. Chris recalls the day: 'It was grey, overcast, and blowing force 4–5.' The winds carried them well past Newquay and St Agnes but, knowing they wouldn’t round Land’s End before nightfall, they stopped at St Ives. What followed was a long night – fully dressed and with lifejackets on – on anchor watch through force 6 winds.

The morning brought gusts up to force 8 and a dragging anchor. They were forced to head out to sea, informing Falmouth Coastguard that they would stay clear of the shore until the wind abated mid-afternoon. They continued to call in hourly updates.

But things were not going to plan: 'Because we had a spring ebb tide and force 8 northerly,' explains Chris, 'we were going in a south-easterly direction at 1½ knots so we would have run ashore.'

By midday, with no sign of the wind dying down, they called the Coastguard again. 'We made the decision to make a run for Land's End with the wind and tide,' says Chris. For the next few hours, they made good headway in heavy weather. The wind had eased but was still gusting, and the seas remained big.

1x lifeboat Force 6–8, northerly Spring ebb tide

LIFEBOAT: Sennen Cove Tamar class allweather lifeboat City of London III

Chris and Delia

Sailing conditions around Land's End can constantly change

Delia says: 'We couldn’t go back and we faced Land’s End so we were between the devil and the deep blue sea. There was torrential rain and – even though we both had our Gore-Tex on – with the sea crashing into us, we were wet right through.’ Chris adds: 'The rain brought restricted visibility. And we had big following seas.

We were being picked up by the stern and surfing down each wave. The load on the rudder to stop a broach was really quite difficult. The Coastguard had informed the National Coastwatch, who were looking out for us. And we were transmitting AIS, so they knew where we were.’

When the turning tide brought heavy swell and turbulence, the pressure proved too much. 'At about 4.20pm there was one almighty CRACK! and the bottom fittings of the rudder came off,' Chris recalls.

Now, without steerage, Delia, Chris and Ozzy were at the full mercy of the sea. 'Because of the following seas, we then broached. We were surfing sideways down the seas and I was looking down at Delia and Ozzy – over the other side I could see the keel.

'At that point we were about 1 nautical mile from the granite spires of Longships Rocks. We wouldn’t have survived them. The Coastguard were made aware and they asked Sennen Cove lifeboat to attend.'

Sennen Cove’s volunteer RNLI crew launched their Tamar class all-weather lifeboat and located Delia and Chris 4½ miles north-west of Sennen Cove. 'They came close to us and threw a line so that we could take a drogue over the aft end of the boat to act as our steerage,' says Chris.

' We were transmitting AIS, so they knew where we were'

Chris

Chris and Delia's yacht under tow by Sennen Cove lifeboat

The lighthouse at Longships Rocks, Land's End, during stormy weather

' We were between the devil and the deep blue sea'

Delia

'Even experienced sailors can get caught out – particularly in areas with tidal gates, such as Land’s End. But Delia and Chris’s great communication with the Coastguard meant that we could be there for them when they needed us.

'If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t panic. Inform the coastguard and, if safe to do so, secure the rudder – you may prevent it damaging the hull and putting you in greater danger.

'While the rudder succumbed to the swell, pre-season inspections of your vessel can pick up some issues and potential points of failure before they become dangerous. So never skip this vital part of sailing.

'As before any sailing trip, if embarking on a passage check wind and tides. A tidal stream atlas will help you understand where you’ll encounter wind against tide conditions – which create bigger and rougher seas than when the tide is flowing with the wind.'

'I had to then crawl along the deck to the bow to take the tow rope from the lifeboat. That wasn’t easy. But we got the line attached!’

Delia remarks: 'Ozzy was distressed, barking. We truly expected to die. I remember vividly, being in the cockpit and seeing the lifeboat coming straight towards us. At one point, in these big seas, they were what felt like 1m from the boat – everyone going up and down – then they just powered away again. The skill of that team is incredible.’

Chris continues: 'The tow down to Land’s End was in really quite difficult conditions. Delia was showing signs

of hypothermia so I got an emergency blanket and wrapped it around her. And then the tow continued to Newlyn Harbour.'

'Between us, we have 100 years of sailing,' says Delia. 'But I’d never experienced anything like that, it was absolutely terrifying. The crew were professional and compassionate. Had they not come, the outcome could have been so different that day.’ ■

Words: Anna Burn Photos: RNLI/(Sennen Cove, Tim Stevens), Shutterstock.com

Offshore is a community to share our experiences and broaden our horizons. Do you have a story you can share about ways you’re advancing a watersport, or about a time things went wrong on the water? If so, please email offshore@rnli.org.uk

' The skill of that team is incredible' Delia

‘A tidal stream atlas will help you understand where you’ll encounter wind against tide conditions’

KIRSTAN GORVIN, COXSWAIN AT SENNEN COVE RNLI

Sennen Cove lifeboat City of London III in rough seas

HOW TO: FILM YOURSELF SAFELY

Whether you’re nailing a killer shot for Instagram, sharing new skills on YouTube, or making memories, capturing a watersports adventure can be satisfying and fun. But what kit do you need for filming on the water?

‘Your life comes first, so wear a PFD and an appropriate leash,’ says paddleboarding instructor (and self-confessed selfie queen) Rebecca Edwards. ‘I know we see watersports celebrities on TikTok without them but it sends the wrong message, especially to young people. RNLI crews end up rescuing a lot of paddleboarders.’

Ask yourself if you’re wearing the right kit for the weather and water temperature. ‘That could be a wetsuit,’ says Rebecca. ‘But I’d recommend taking a dry bag with extra layers and complete change of clothes. You’ll also need a way of calling for help, like a mobile phone or handheld VHF radio in a waterproof pouch.’ If you’re not using your smartphone to take video or pictures, you’ll need a waterproof camera too.

And you’ll need to check the tide times, wind direction and strength. Many RNLI rescues happen in offshore winds – when the wind blows from the shore out to sea. It’s important to avoid tricky conditions, especially when you’re occupied with filming. ‘You should think ahead about the type of footage you want to capture,’ says Rebecca. ‘What time of day are you heading out? What will the lighting be like? It’s beautiful first thing in the morning at my local boating lake, and the water is flat calm. But early evening, when the wind normally drops, could be a great time too.’

TOP SAFETY TIP

‘If you decide to take your phone out of its case to record, be prepared to lose it over the side,’ says Rebecca. ‘But do not jump in after it. You may not be able to get back on your board.’

PADDLEBOARDING INSTRUCTOR AND BRITISH CANOEING #SHEPADDLES AMBASSADOR, REBECCA EDWARDS SHARES HER TOP TIPS FOR GETTING THAT PERFECT VIDEO

CLOSE UPS WIDE ANGLE

The easiest way to capture yourself on the water is with a smartphone in a waterproof pouch. Wear it around your neck or leashed to your wrist. Keep the case clean so you’re not tempted to take your phone out for a clearer shot.

Use a smartphone selfie stick with a floating handle. Raise it up to take in more of your surroundings and capture great angles. Some people mount a small camera to a paddle, which has the same effect without the clutter.

IN ACTION

Catch more of the action by fixing a video camera to the front of your board. You’ll need one that’s waterproof and has image stabilisation so your footage isn’t too wobbly. For point-of-view footage, mount your camera to a headband and try a fish-eye lens.

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Why not set up your camera on land? If you have one with a wireless remote, trigger the shutter as you paddle past. I sometimes mount mine to the dock in the middle of our local lake and film myself paddling around it.

To learn more about paddleboarding safety visit RNLI.org/SUP

Find waterproof phone and gadget cases at shop.RNLI.org/OffshoreSpring23 ■

Words: Jon Jones, Rebecca Edwards

Photos: Rebecca Edwards, RNLI/Nathan Williams, Shutterstock.com

Create happy memories by filming on your smartphone

Mount a camera on your board

Or use a shore-mounted camera, triggered by a wearable remote

WHAT WOULD YOU DO NEXT?

DO YOU SCENARIO

You’re close to the coast, approaching harbour when you lose engine power and run aground.

What do you do next?

EXPERT ANSWER

If you haven’t already deployed your anchor, do so to help as the tide rises (A). Then don PPE, ensure your grab bag and liferaft are ready, muster crew – but do not disembark (B). Stay onboard as long as you can, it’s the safest place. If safe, check below for water ingress or potential hull damage and make a plan (A).

With a bilge keel or a flat bottom hull you should sit quite evenly as the tide drops. If you have a fin keel, you’ll need to be alert to how the vessel may take the bottom. Put out a pan pan so the coastguard and nearby vessels know your situation. If there’s a risk to life, immediately make a mayday call, move everyone to the safest part of the vessel and keep a listening watch on the radio while awaiting rescue. If you’re safe and are going to wait to float off with the tide (C), let local harbour authorities know.

Deploy your anchor, stay on the vessel, check for damage and make a plan. 224 RESCUES OF GROUNDED VESSELS IN 2021

Don PPE and disembark to head ashore or investigate how to free yourself. *Data from 2021 operational statistics

'As soon as he got caught behind the breaking waves, it was game over'

BOTH FOWEY LIFEBOATS LAUNCHED TO SAVE BOAT STRANDED ON ROCKS

Last July, both Fowey lifeboats launched to a mayday call from a lone sailor whose yacht blew onto the lee shore rocks near Fowey Harbour on a falling tide. D class lifeboat Helm

Amelia Luck says: 'With easterlies here, the waves pick up quickly – we had a rolling swell breaking on the shore. He’d drifted when his sail had jammed and engine failed. As soon as he got caught behind the breaking waves, it was game over – he couldn’t move. We carefully navigated the shallow water and I put Ollie Luck

(my brother and fellow crew member) ashore to assess the situation, while James Dowrick maintained comms with the Coastguard and our Trent class. In this scenario, the safest course of action was to bring the sailor in – he was then able to arrange with a local tug boat for his boat to be refloated when the tide turned.’

For more rescue stories, visit RNLI.org/magazine ■

Photos: Martin Cocks, RNLI/Fowey

KITTY NORMAN

RNLI LIFEBOAT TRAINER

Helm Amelia Luck