Tuesday, 4 October 2011

ABC Wednesday - Lifeboat

My local lifeboat station on a calm day, all is peaceful, the little ferry boat at the end of the pier is waiting for passenger to take to Piel Island across the water. The lifeboat station is also on an island (Roa) but one that links to the mainland by a causeway. There is a popular cafe here, The Bosun's Locker, but if a stronger drink is required
then get a lift on the ferry across the water to Piel, to its ruined castle and the Ship Inn. The notice has all the information.

There has been a lifeboat station here since 1864 but many different constructions and lifeboats have been used over the years. The present boat 'Grace Dixon'  is one of the very modern Tamar class, superbly ergonomic for heavy seas, computer controlled and of course most importantly self-righting.   One of the previous lifeboats, 'Herbert Leigh' is now high and dry
outside the Dock Museum.  The present lifeboat has many more years in front her to swoop
RNLI Photo by Nicholas Leach
down into the sea from the Roa Island Station.  Take a trip on board the Grace Dixon in the short clip here:




Join the Journey from A to Z at ABC Wednesday and this week's letter L
at

19 comments:

  1. Anonymous4 October 2011 at 19:38

    The first thing I do when I get onto anything on water is look for a "L"ifeguard or a "L"ifeboat !!

    Pheno, ABCW Team

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  2. Scriptor Senex4 October 2011 at 20:04

    Lifeboats - yes, a most important Letter L.

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  3. Jane and Chris4 October 2011 at 20:39

    Where would we be without lifeboatmen?
    Jane x

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  4. Meryl4 October 2011 at 22:09

    I like the swooping!

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  5. Kay L. Davies4 October 2011 at 22:28

    Fascinating!

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  6. Chubskulit Rose4 October 2011 at 22:30

    Beautiful photos of lifeboat!

    Lessons at Home is one of my entries.

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  7. Leslie:4 October 2011 at 23:13

    LOVE that LAST photo! What a great take on the letter L and lifeboats. Really enjoyed this...have a lovely week,

    Leslie
    abcw team

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  8. Hildred4 October 2011 at 23:42

    That was a nice little trip, - what a welcome sight she must be to those in distress.

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  9. VioletSky-Sightlines4 October 2011 at 23:56

    That swoop was fun to see. I bet there is a vast difference in these boats through the years.

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  10. Roger Owen Green5 October 2011 at 00:38

    very descriptive w pics to match
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  11. Tumblewords:5 October 2011 at 03:48

    Fascinating - I've only seen them attached to huge ships. Good post!

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  12. Rajesh5 October 2011 at 04:03

    Wonderful shots and interesting.

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  13. Linnea5 October 2011 at 06:06

    Lovely post! What a ride that was!

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  14. nonizamboni5 October 2011 at 15:15

    Perfect choice and full of great photos to illustrate how important these boats are. Nicely done!

    Lovely area too.

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  15. Ingrid6 October 2011 at 07:09

    What a beautiful part of the UK, I didn't know Piel Island. I know better the the South East coast (Eastbourne especially) where I stay each year with friends who live there.

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  16. Liz Hinds6 October 2011 at 19:34

    WE have a lifeboat in Mumbles too. But how, if the lifeboat station is on an island, do the lifeboatmen get there in a hurry?

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  17. Liz Hinds6 October 2011 at 19:35

    I re-read your post: via the causeway!

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  18. EG CameraGirl6 October 2011 at 20:12

    Very interesting, Joy. I didn't realize you live on an island. Fascinating!

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  19. Chronicles of Illusions6 October 2011 at 20:17

    I think lifeboats are the most important part of a ship - I mean 'the Titanic'...heheheheh

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