A Raft of Apples: ABC Wednesday

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; 4 October 2011 at 19:38
Scriptor Senex said...: Lifeboats - yes, a most important Letter L.; 4 October 2011 at 20:04
Jane and Chris said...: Where would we be without lifeboatmen?
Jane x; 4 October 2011 at 20:39
Meryl said...: I like the swooping!; 4 October 2011 at 22:09
Kay L. Davies said...: Fascinating!

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel; 4 October 2011 at 22:28
Chubskulit Rose said...: Beautiful photos of lifeboat!

Lessons at Home is one of my entries.; 4 October 2011 at 22:30
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; 4 October 2011 at 23:13
Hildred said...: That was a nice little trip, - what a welcome sight she must be to those in distress.; 4 October 2011 at 23:42
VioletSky-Sightlines said...: That swoop was fun to see. I bet there is a vast difference in these boats through the years.; 4 October 2011 at 23:56
Roger Owen Green said...: very descriptive w pics to match
ROG, ABC Wednesday team; 5 October 2011 at 00:38
Tumblewords: said...: Fascinating - I've only seen them attached to huge ships. Good post!; 5 October 2011 at 03:48
Rajesh said...: Wonderful shots and interesting.; 5 October 2011 at 04:03
Linnea said...: Lovely post! What a ride that was!; 5 October 2011 at 06:06
nonizamboni said...: Perfect choice and full of great photos to illustrate how important these boats are. Nicely done!

Lovely area too.; 5 October 2011 at 15:15
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.; 6 October 2011 at 07:09
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?; 6 October 2011 at 19:34
Liz Hinds said...: I re-read your post: via the causeway!; 6 October 2011 at 19:35
EG CameraGirl said...: Very interesting, Joy. I didn't realize you live on an island. Fascinating!; 6 October 2011 at 20:12
Chronicles of Illusions said...: I think lifeboats are the most important part of a ship - I mean 'the Titanic'...heheheheh; 6 October 2011 at 20:17