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

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

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

Scriptor Senex said...

Lifeboats - yes, a most important Letter L.

Jane and Chris said...

Where would we be without lifeboatmen?
Jane x

Meryl said...

I like the swooping!

Kay L. Davies said...

Fascinating!

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

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful photos of lifeboat!

Lessons at Home is one of my entries.

Leslie: said...

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

Leslie
abcw team

Hildred said...

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

VioletSky-Sightlines said...

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

Roger Owen Green said...

very descriptive w pics to match
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Tumblewords: said...

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

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots and interesting.

Linnea said...

Lovely post! What a ride that was!

nonizamboni said...

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

Lovely area too.

Gattina said...

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.

Liz Hinds said...

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?

Liz Hinds said...

I re-read your post: via the causeway!

EG CameraGirl said...

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

Chronicles of Illusions said...

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