RNLI Offshore Magazine Winter 2023

OFFSHORE

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL AT THE COAST

Winter 2023–24 | ISSUE 98

RNLI.org

PIRATES AND PADDLING BASK IN BRIXHAM'S CLIFF-LINED BEAUTY P8

| P2 SPREAD THE WORD: LOCAL AMBASSADORS HELP SAVE LIVES | P11 KAYAK ADRIFT: READER RESCUE | P14 ALL ABOUT DEPTH: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO? | P16 OVERWINTERING: END OF SEASON MAINTENANCE RECAP

SURVIVAL

IMPERATIVE: PFD MAINTENANCE

P4

WELCOME Dear reader

Anna Burn and the Offshore Team Email: offshore@rnli.org.uk

Photo: RNLI, Shutterstock.com

We hope you're settling into the colder months.

This issue, find skills and knowledge to support you in the off season. When taking your boat out of the water, what maintenance should you do (page 16)? And how familiar are you with your personal flotation devices (PFDs)? Learn and practise vital PFD maintenance skills on page 4. On page 14, find out what RNLI crew learn about depth in their training – and how it’s helpful for the boaters among us.

From pirates to paddling, crew from Torbay RNLI give you a virtual tour of the beautiful fishing town of Brixham on page 8. Speaking of paddling, turn to page 11 for a kayaking reader rescue story from north Wales.

With a bumper 200th anniversary issue of Lifeboat on the way in spring, there will be no spring issue of Offshore. Stay safe and see you in the summer!

Warm wishes

Winter 2023-24 | ISSUE 98 ©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.

Chair: Janet Legrand KC (Hon) Chief Executive: Mark Dowie Offshore Editor: Anna Burn Offshore Design: Andy Perryman

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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

WINTER GIFTS FROM THE RNLI SHOP RNLI FINISTERRE BOOT SOCK These RNLI boot socks are made from Finisterre's super soft yet durable wool blend. Perfect inside a walking boot or welly, keeping you warm and comfortable as you explore.

Front cover photograph: RNLI/Nigel Millard

RRP £20 Ref: RS2342409NYLS

(J23572358)

Sizes: Adult 4–12

ON THE RADAR

MEET OUR

LOCAL AMBASSADORS

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

Every year, thousands of people get into difficulty on the water and something as simple as knowing how to float can save lives.

We need your help. Do you know a local business that could help spread our vital safety messages? As an RNLI local ambassador, they would be part of a network of over 1,000 businesses across the UK and Ireland that are making a real difference to people’s lives. We ask our ambassadors to share RNLI water safety messages with people in three simple ways: displaying posters in their windows, sharing messages on social media, and having conversations with customers.

Becky King of Pinewoods Holiday Park says:

'We found it really easy to put up posters and share messages with our customers. It’s had an impact – tidal cut-offs have reduced here' This is light-touch volunteering, with a simple sign-up to access resources, but we know it makes a lifesaving impact.

Please help us recruit more RNLI local ambassadors by spreading the word with contacts and businesses in your local community. You’ll be helping us to save every one we can.

ANDY WRIGHT RNLI AREA LIFESAVING MANAGER AND RYA SAILING TRAINER/ EXAMINER

Andy is a keen cruising sailor and a trainer/ inspector/examiner for the RYA, and has sailed extensively in the seas around Europe.

IONA TAYLOR TRAINEE CREW MEMBER, TORBAY RNLI

Iona’s new to lifesaving, but not to the water – she’s an open water swimmer and experienced sailor, who completed her first Fastnet Race this year.

LUKE GRAHAM RNLI LIFEBOAT TRAINER

A former lifeboat volunteer and sailing instructor, Luke's been training RNLI crews in all aspects of lifeboating for the past 8 years.

DALE STEGGLES

TIME:

VOLUNTEER COXSWAIN, WALTON AND FRINTON RNLI

LIFESAVING: COST:

Find out more at RNLI.org/LocalAmbassador

SHOP.RNLI.ORG 50 KNOTS FOR EVERY ADVENTURE BOOK, MARTY ALLEN Find the knot you need for every situation, including all the essential knots, plus more advanced ties. Two lengths of rope are included for you to practise with.

RRP: £9.99 Ref: RS2311501

Dale has been a lifeboat volunteer for 15 years.

He learned to sail as a child and has been hooked ever since.

NO OFFSHORE IN SPRING

On 4 March 2024 the RNLI will have been saving lives at sea for 200 years and counting.

To mark this historic moment, we're publishing an extended spring issue of Lifeboat magazine.

This means that there will be no spring 2024 issue of Offshore.

We apologise for any disappointment and hope you enjoy your special issue of Lifeboat.

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NEED TO KNOW

GET TO KNOW YOUR LIFEJACKET Hand on heart, how confident are you that your personal flotation device (PFD) would save your life? Odds are that if you’re not maintaining it correctly, it might not. Do you check it before every trip? Do you know what to check?

Do you get it serviced every year? Just like a car, your PFD needs regular, basic maintenance to keep it working properly. Don’t wait until a real emergency to find out if it works or not. Read our top tips for looking after your PFD, so that it will look after you when you need it most.

REGULAR PFD MAINTENANCE

1 GET TO KNOW YOUR PFD Our tips advise what to check, but always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to carry out these checks for your PFD. Every PFD, including buoyancy aids and lifejackets, is different. The more you check your PFD, the easier and quicker it will be to carry out these checks, until they become second nature.

PFDs: Look after yours and it’ll look after you 4

2 DO A VISUAL CHECK OF

3 DO A VISUAL CHECK ON THE INSIDE

Is there any obvious wear and tear?

If so, you need to replace your PFD. • Check the outer material, webbing and stitching for wear and tear, including rips and holes.

Buoyancy aids: Check the foam in your buoyancy aid for visible signs of deterioration. Over time, the foam will become compressed and lose buoyancy.

When this happens, it’s time to replace it.

Never sit on or compress your buoyancy aid. Levels of buoyancy can be checked by measuring the buoyancy aid’s displacement in water. Refer to ISO 12402 standards to find the correct weight to test your PFD.

THE OUTSIDE

• Check that zips, buckles and any other fastenings work smoothly and aren't damaged. If they are, refer to a service agent and do not use.

• Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific details about your PFD.

Check for wear and tear on the outside

4 LIFEJACKETS: CHECK THE GAS CYLINDER

Is it screwed in tight, undamaged and showing no signs of corrosion?

• Make sure the cylinder still contains gas. Unscrew it and check the end for punctures. If you find any hole marks

Lifejackets: Before checking inside the lifejacket, look for the label that tells you what to expect to find inside. That helps make sense of everything you’re about to look at.

Put the lifejacket onto a flat surface and unzip it. Take photos as you unpack the lifejacket – these will help you when you repack it. on the end, it's already been fired and you’ll need to replace the cylinder before you use the lifejacket again.

• If the gas cylinder is corroded, it should be replaced before you use the lifejacket again.

• Also check areas of the lifejacket fabric that were in contact with the

Check for wear and tear on the inside

' Maintaining your PFD will give you the best chance of survival' Dale Steggles, Volunteer Coxswain, Walton and Frinton RNLI

corroded cylinder – they may have been damaged.

• You can buy replacement cylinders and dispose of old ones at your nearest chandlery. Empty cylinders can also go in your household recycling.

• If you’re not confident changing the CO2 cylinder yourself, take your lifejacket to the service agent recommended by your manufacturer.

• Before you use your lifejacket, check the cylinder is screwed in finger tight. Screw-in carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinders can work themselves loose.

Check for tightness every month.

Lifejackets: Is the gas cylinder corroded?

Lifejackets: Is the gas cylinder screwed in tightly?

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5 LIFEJACKETS: CHECK THE CLIP

6 LIFEJACKETS: CHECK THE

Has the lifejacket been inflated? If so, it will need a replacement clip or capsule.

If not, is the capsule in date?

• If you have a manual lifejacket, check that the retaining clip is in place.

If you’ve previously inflated your lifejacket, the retaining clip will be missing and will need to be replaced before you use the lifejacket again.

Are there any holes or slow leaks?

• Blow into the lifejacket to inflate it using the oral inflation tube.

Leave it inflated for 24 hours in a dry environment with a constant temperature to ensure that there are no leaks.

OR CAPSULE

AIR BLADDER

Manual lifejackets: Is the clip still intact, as shown?

• For automatic lifejackets, check the capsule. This is what makes the lifejacket inflate when you enter the water. There are several different makes. You can usually find out which one your lifejacket uses in the manufacturer’s instructions.

• One of the most common capsules has a green cap to show that the lifejacket is ready to use. If that green cap is missing, this means the lifejacket has probably been inflated and the capsule will need to be replaced before the lifejacket is used again.

• Another common style of capsule uses red or green coding to tell you if the lifejacket has been inflated or not. If the window shows red, then the capsule will need replacing before using the lifejacket again. Both sides of the lifejacket must be checked.

• Check the replacement date on a capsule, which is normally printed on its side.

Manual lifejackets: If the clip is missing, as shown, it will need to be replaced

• Never use anything other than the cap to deflate the lifejacket. Other methods can damage the tube valve, preventing the lifejacket from holding air. You might not discover this until you need the lifejacket in an emergency.

• Once you have deflated the lifejacket, replace the cap over the end of the oral inflation tube to prevent dust and dirt from entering the valve.

Automatic lifejackets: A green cap on the capsule shows that the lifejacket is ready to use

Check for holes and slow leaks

• Always carry re-arming kits for the type of lifejacket you have. If your lifejacket is accidentally inflated while you’re afloat, you can get it ready to use again straight away.

• If you’re not confident changing the clip or capsule yourself, that’s OK. The service agent recommended by your manufacturer will be happy to help.

• Deflate the lifejacket by reversing the cap on the oral inflation tube and inserting it into the end of the tube.

Make sure you hold the cap in the end of the tube during the deflation.

Automatic lifejackets: If the green cap is missing, the capsule will need to be replaced before the lifejacket is used again

Make sure you hold the cap in the end of the tube during deflation

' Maintaining my lifejacket is critical to my life preservation. I’ve got a family and kids, so I need to make sure that, whatever happens, I get home to them' Dale Steggles, Volunteer Coxswain, Walton and Frinton RNLI 6

Is everything back in the right place?

• Each lifejacket repacks differently, and some modern lifejackets can be difficult to repack.

Saved by his lifejacket: The skipper of this stricken yacht fell overboard, at night, 35 miles out to sea

• Follow the manufacturer’s folding instructions for your lifejacket to ensure everything goes back in the right place.

• REMEMBER: FOLD – DON’T ROLL. • If you’re unsure, take your lifejacket to a service centre for checking and repacking.

• Your lifejacket may not inflate correctly if you do not follow the manufacturer’s packing instructions.

Lifejackets: When repacking your lifejacket, fold – don’t roll

WHEN TO CHECK YOUR PFD Key times include: • before every trip • after inflating your lifejacket • every month to check the tightness of gas cylinders • every year for a professional service.

ANNUAL PFD SERVICE Take your PFD to a manufacturer-approved service agent once a year.

The tips on these pages are for regular, day-to-day maintenance – they’re not designed to replace a professional annual service.

NEED TO KNOW

7 HOW TO REPACK YOUR LIFEJACKET

CASE STUDY: SAVED BY HIS LIFEJACKET Imagine falling overboard from a yacht at night, in pitch black darkness, 35 miles from shore.

That’s exactly what happened to the skipper of a stricken yacht on Friday 19 May. The two crew left onboard made a mayday call to the Coastguard, and Walton and Frinton all-weather lifeboat launched to the rescue, along with Harwich lifeboat and Coastguard rescue helicopters. Thankfully, the skipper was wearing a lifejacket, a decision that saved his life that night. He was recovered from the water by the Coastguard helicopter and taken to hospital. The yacht and its remaining two crew members were towed to safety in the challenging conditions by Walton and Frinton’s volunteer crew in what turned out to be an epic 11-hour rescue mission.

Walton and Frinton's Volunteer Coxswain Dale Steggles says: ‘The skipper’s lifejacket saved him in two ways – it kept him afloat and its reflective tape meant he was spotted quickly in the darkness by the searchlights. But if it hadn’t activated, or the reflective tape was worn or missing, due to lack of maintenance, it would have been a very different outcome.

Maintaining your PFD will give you peace of mind and the best chance of survival.’

No matter how experienced you are, things can still go wrong. But the one thing you can rely on is your PFD. If you look after yours, it will look after you. ■

Words: Vicki Lovegrove-Fray Photos: A McKie, RNLI/(Dale Steggles, Walton and Frinton)

STAY SAFE

Watch our video on how to check and maintain your lifejacket at RNLI.org/pfd.

For more advice on PFDs, visit RNLI.org/lifejackets.

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LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE:

DEVON

BRIXHAM From pirates to paddleboards, Brixham is Torbay’s hidden treasure

'LIVING IN BRIXHAM MEANS LOVING THE SEA' 8

LOCAL LEGEND: RESURRECTION JACKMAN

Sunrise over Berry Head, Brixham

Sea swimming is popular

With its clutter of colourful cottages tumbling to the water’s edge, Brixham is certainly picturesque. But it’s also steeped in historic charm and alive with character.

The closest beaches to town are Breakwater, near the lifeboat station, and Ladybird – as sweet as it sounds and great for rock samphire.

North-west along the coastal path are Fishcombe Cove and Churston Cove – lovely for swimming, snorkelling and seal spotting. If you’re visiting by boat, use the mooring buoys to avoid damaging the delicate sea grass habitat.

In the other direction, St Mary’s Bay – despite the hundred or so steps back up – is my favourite for its seclusion, sandy beach and silence. And those views!

Other unique options are Shoalstone Pool, a Victorian sea water pool built into natural rock, and the Dart River for some wonderful wild swimming.

IONA TAYLOR

TRAINEE CREW MEMBER AT TORBAY RNLI

I chose an intense year to race my first Fastnet. Strong winds and tough seas made getting safely round the rock and back home to Brixham a challenge and a real achievement.

When I’m not on the water, I’m in it.

Sea swimming is my antidote to life’s pressures and we’re spoilt for choice.

Several spots for paddleboarding are on the doorstep

Wily smugglers would do anything to outwit the authorities.

Resurrection Jackman – so called because he staged his own death several times to evade arrest – filled his coffin with brandy and other contraband, and used his funeral procession as a ruse to move it inland to Totnes!

Wherever you swim, swim with a buddy, check the weather forecast, be aware of tides and currents, have the right equipment and always carry a means of calling for help.

‘ It’s the perfect combination of sea and shore and more!'

FIND OUT MORE shoalstonepool.com englishriviera.co.uk RNLI.org/swimming

RICHARD FOWLER

SECOND COXSWAIN AT TORBAY RNLI

I‘ve been fishing in Torbay for 45 years and joined the lifeboat 30 years ago.

I’ve spent a lot of time at sea. And whether it’s lit up by a sunset or Christmas lights, that view of the bell tower at All Saints – the fisherman’s church – always reminds me how lucky I am to call Brixham home.

There’s so much to do right on our doorstep: easy scuba diving at Breakwater and Ladybird Beaches, sailing, snorkelling and swmming, kayaking and paddleboarding. I particularly enjoy the secluded coves and beaches around Man Sands. And for kids, Grenville House offers every kind of adventure from abseiling to raft building.

I trained for Kilimanjaro along the coastal path from Brixham to Kingswear – the views are second to none. Riddled with sea caves and craggy cliffs, it’s 9

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE

Shoalstone Pool is a seasonally lifeguarded Victorian sea water pool built into natural rock

Colourful coastal footpaths surround Brixham

Brixham's resident pirate, Captain Blackheart

ENJOY THE COAST SAFELY • Check weather and tide times.

• Read local safety signs and tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

• If anyone – even your dog – is in trouble, don’t go in after them.

Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

easy to see why smugglers thrived here. We’ve still got pirates in Brixham, our annual Pirate Festival in May is legendary. And for a little more time travelling, the steam trains at Christmas are magical too!

If your activity involves being on, in or near the water, remember to inform people of your intentions, use the right equipment and carry a means of calling for help on your person.

‘ It’s the heart of the fishing industry – one of the busiest fishing ports in the UK – and the community supportsand looks out for each other' FIND OUT MORE brixhampiratesfestival.com grenvillehouse.co.uk

LUKE NETHERTON

HELM AT TORBAY RNLI

Living in Brixham means loving the sea.

I grew up playing on and around the quay, started working on the trawlers at 16 and, to this day, never tire of being on it or in it – or the smell of fish!

We’re blessed with such a variety here and I’m lucky to share a small angling boat with my dad. But if you’re visiting, Brixham has a popular fishing industry 10

TELL US WHERE YOU LOVE

or just want to try your hand and catch some fresh mackerel for breakfast, there are plenty of charters available with knowledgable crew. My favourite spots are south of Berry Head toward the River Dart and the famous Skerries Bank just off of Dartmouth.

If you’re heading out on your own, ensure your vessel is serviced and well maintained, equipped with lifejackets and a VHF radio, and be aware of weather, tide times and local safety information.

If you’re not looking to catch your own, Funfish Trips offer a 2-hour sunset cruise between May and October complete with fresh fish and chips – a great opportunity to see the area’s wildlife, take in the incredible geography and views, and eat local fish!

‘ I love living by the sea, supporting local businesses selling fresh, locally sourced foods, and giving back to my community as a lifeboat volunteer' FIND OUT MORE southdevonrailway.co.uk dartmouthrailriver.co.uk funfishtrips.co.uk ■ Words: Niki Holt Photos: Danny Cooke, nudi, RNLI/(Nigel Millard, Andy Parish, Nathan Williams), Shutterstock.com

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

RESCUE Even experienced kayakers have accidents. A personal locator beacon (PLB) could save your life or help a fellow paddler

SAFETY IN NUMBERS When a rogue wave capsized Guy Lowndes and separated him from his kayak, it was the quick actions of a fellow paddler that helped to save his life

LIFEBOATS:

Guy was part of a group of experienced paddlers on their way back from The Skerries, Isle of Anglesey, last December, when they hit choppy waters 2 miles off the Cemlyn coast.

'We checked the weather and tide times before we left,' says Guy. 'But the wind turned a lot stronger than was forecast. We split into two groups of five – with mine heading east until we turned in, north of Cemlyn.' At this point, the sea was rough and Guy was flipped over by a large, rogue wave. 'I popped myself out and turned my kayak the right way up,' he says. 'But I was separated from the rest of the group.'

Luckily, someone had come back to help but, as they steadied Guy's craft, it was whisked away by the wind and Guy was pushed in the opposite direction. By the time

Moelfre Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Kiwi

his fellow kayaker had recovered the craft and paddled back, Guy had been in the water for 20 minutes.

' I was rigid with cold. Even wearing a drysuit with a fleece underneath.

There was no way I could paddle back' Guy Lowndes, Kayaker

'I was rigid with cold,' says Guy. 'Even wearing a drysuit with a fleece underneath.

There was no way I could paddle back to Cemlyn across those waves.' Realising this, the other kayaker activated a personal locator beacon (PLB) and asked Guy for his mobile so they could call the Coastguard. 'I struggled to explain how to unlock it,' explains Guy. 'I hadn't realised how much the cold had affected me. I was confused and disoriented.'

Holyhead Severn class all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce

2x lifeboats

Force 6 in failing light Choppy with a 2.5m swell

Guy Lowndes

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RESCUE

An RNLI crew member keeps an eye on one of the kayaks aboard Holyhead's Severn class lifeboat

The Coastguard alerted Holyhead and Moelfre RNLI volunteers, who launched around 3pm and headed for the PLB's location

The Coastguard alerted Holyhead and Moelfre RNLI volunteers who launched around 3pm and headed for the PLB's location. As they got closer, the lifesavers realised there were many kayaks in various locations but a Coastguard helicopter deployed a smoke flare to help them home in on the pair.

'I was extremely relieved to see the lifeboat,' says Guy. 'I felt quite emotional. It was then that I realised I'd been running on adrenaline all that time. I felt awful calling out the RNLI volunteers but they said it was the right thing to do. They would have been looking for us in the dark if we'd left it any longer.'

Both men were brought aboard Holyhead's allweather lifeboat and checked over by the crew.

The man who’d raised the alarm was fine but Guy was cold, in shock, and had swallowed seawater.

The RNLI crew took the pair and their craft ashore, where volunteer Coastguard teams were waiting to help. Guy had a full check up in hospital and was released later that evening, fit and well.

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Meanwhile, Moelfre RNLI volunteers had located the other kayakers heading back to shore, and found them all safe.

Holyhead RNLI Coxswain Tony Price says: 'The quick actions of the man accompanying Guy undoubtedly saved his life. He made the right call at the right time, using his PLB as soon as he realised his fellow kayaker was in trouble.'

‘ I was extremely relieved to see the lifeboat. I felt quite emotional. It was then that I realised I'd been running on adrenaline all that time. I felt awful calling out the RNLI volunteers but they said it was the right thing to do.

They would have been looking for us in the dark if we'd left it any longer' Guy Lowndes, Kayaker

RESCUE

Guy recently visited Moelfre Lifeboat Station to thank the crew. He’s now helping to share the RNLI's paddlesports safety messages

GUY'S ADVICE 'Experienced kayakers do have accidents and things can quickly get out of control.'

'I never go out on my own because I know how many times I've been upside down in the water. I've relied on other people to help me back in my kayak and I've helped others do the same. But if I hadn't been with someone with a PLB that day, I'd have been bouncing around the Irish Sea, with the lifeboat crew searching for me in the dark.

'That little piece of kit saved my life.

I bought one online later that night – two others from my group did the same. A PLB uses satellites to transmit a recognised distress signal and your position. It works in areas without radio or phone signal so it's a great investment. Keep it clipped to your lifejacket and, if you get in trouble, simply flip the cover and press the button. The emergency services will know where to find you.'

SHARE YOUR STORY

Carry a means of calling for help and keep it on you, within reach, at all times

FIND OUT MORE

For more advice on paddling safety, visit RNLI.org/KayakingSafety ■ Words: Jon Jones Photos: RNLI/(Nigel MIllard, Nathan Williams)

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.

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HOW TO: BE ADEPT AT DEPTH The water is full of underwater hazards, and the potential fallout of hitting one can be disastrous Our lifeboat crews sometimes find that stranded seafarers are unaware of the draft of their vessel, the depth of the water they are in, or how low the tide gets in that particular spot.

'Knowing your bearing, minimum depth and any potential hazards is critical to planning your route,' says RNLI Trainer Luke Graham. 'Depth training is integrated into all of our lifeboat crew navigation courses, and it may surprise you to know that a depth sounder is as important as a chart' 'You know how when you’re down a country road and the sat nav shows you in a field? You ignore the GPS because you know it’s off. But when you’re doing 20 knots at sea and your plotter

says you’re in 20m of water, do you know this for sure? While there may be no visual reference, cross reference your chart with your depth sounder and you’re less likely to get into trouble.'

And if the worst happens? 'If you make contact with something, don’t ignore it,' says Luke. 'Check around your boat for damage and look at your bilge. Are you taking on water? Do you still have power? If you’re stuck on the bottom, resist the urge to drag yourself off it. It may be stopping you from sinking, and driving off could rip a hole.

And if you’ve hit ground at speed, check your crew.

If in doubt, call the coastguard and prepare your liferaft.'

Holyhead RNLI volunteer crew rescue sailors caught out by a falling tide

14

RNLI LIFEBOAT TRAINER LUKE GRAHAM SHARES HIS TOP TIPS FOR AVOIDING UNDERWATER HAZARDS

KNOW YOUR VESSEL’S DRAFT – AND THE TIDES Knowing your vessel’s draft is essential for accurately planning where you can and can’t go. Knowing the local tidal range and heights is also important. There could be a sandbar you can cross at high water that you can’t at low water.

GET THE RIGHT CHART Make sure you have a chart with the appropriate level of detail for your journey. If using an electronic plotter with vector charts, remember that you’ll lose important details as you zoom out.

A harbour chart is ideal when you need a smallscale view showing all the obstructions

KNOW WHAT YOUR SOUNDER’S SAYING Depth readings on RNLI lifeboats are taken from the lowest point (keel or skeg). This may not be the case with your vessel. Check where your depth sounder measures from and, if necessary, recalibrate it to the lowest part of your craft – it’s your safest option.

KEEP A LOOKOUT Don’t stay glued to your electronics – get out on deck for a real-world view. Expect the unexpected and ask everyone onboard to help keep watch.

Fishing gear is not charted but some submerged hazards and safe channels will be marked with buoys.

A keen eye on deck could save the day

Find more safety advice for your activity at RNLI.org/safety.

Get free tidal predictions at easytide.co.uk and www.irishtides.ie. ■ Words: Jon Jones Photos: Nick Mailer, RNLI/Nigel MIllard, Shutterstock.com

What is your depth sounder really telling you?

15

WHAT WOULD YOU DO NEXT? SCENARIO

DO YOU

You’re taking your boat out of the water for the winter and you know some essential maintenance is needed before you put it away.

A

Service the engine?

B

List your refit jobs with an appropriate timeline?

C

Pressure wash the hull a few weeks after lifting out?

EXPERT ANSWER ANDY WRIGHT

RNLI AREA LIFESAVING MANAGER FOR SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND

SHARE YOUR STORY 16

DAVID GR AN T

ADRIFT WITH CHILDREN ABOARD We launched at the request of the Coastguard to a yacht adrift 4 miles north of Portnockie. We knew its passengers were being tossed around in heavy rain, 2m waves, westerlies gusting to force 7 and poor visibility – because we were in it too! And, we were additionally concerned because there were children onboard. When we arrived, the sailors were completely helpless. We quickly established that the issue wasn’t a leak in the hull –

CO XS WA IN AN D MECH AN IC AT BU CK IE LIF EB OAT STATIO N

as initially suspected – but an air lock in the fuel system. Four of the five yacht crew were suffering acutely from seasickness – towing into the teeth of a rising gale and confused sea didn’t help, so we took it slow. We brought everyone safely into Buckie at 12.30am, 4 hours after departure. I spoke to the yacht’s skipper afterwards who said: 'When the Coastguard told me the lifeboat was 3 minutes away, it was the best news I’d heard in my entire life.' ■

Your stories can help us spread our safety messages. Please share them with us by emailing YourStory@RNLI.org.uk.

OS/12/23

Photos: RNLI, Shutterstock.com

While some winter maintenance jobs – like lifting your boat – are optional depending on your mooring, others are essential to every owner’s annual refit.

Top of the list is servicing your engine (A). Examine your impellers, slacken the alternator belt and flush the raw water system with a 50/50 water/antifreeze mix.

A blocked fuel system is no joke and, as David's story opposite shows, can leave you and your crew at the mercy of the sea.

With a long list of tasks to complete and shorter days, it’s also helpful to have a plan and an appropriate timeline for your refit (B). What can you do yourself?

If you need to book marine trades, do this early as many won’t be able to help you last minute.

If you are lifting your boat, don’t pressure wash the hull yourself later in the winter (C). The boatyard will have a powerful machine and the foul comes off much easier when its wet!