I have been a lifeboat man now for eleven years. I started as a launcher at the Lytham Station, as this was where the inshore and offshore boats were kept, towing the inshore boat to the waters edge to either put the crew aboard the moored offshore lifeboat or to launch the inshore boat on a rescue mission.
In 1999 the station was forced to move to a compund in St. Annes as the River Ribble was silting up, stopping the offshore lifeboat from getting out of the river into open sea at low water, obviously not an acceptable situation for an RNLI boat! After successful launch and recovery trials using a carriage launched Mersey class lifeboat the Tyne classs lifeboat was placed in the relief fleet.
My job at St. Annes is still on the launch side of the team. I drive the T120 tractor that launches the boat into the sea. As you can see, this is no ordinary tractor; it's a twenty four ton beastie, specially designed for the job of entering the sea, taking the lifeboat to a suitable launch depth. Once the door and hatches are shut it is completely water tight and can be submerged to the depth of the lights at the top of the cabin. On several occassions, in very rough weather, I have been totally submerged by very large waves, (very scary in the dark), and I then have to be directed by the lifeboat coxwain using VHF radio. People have mistaken the large exhaust pipe for a snorkel, especially when I tell them that the tractor is submersible. If for any reason there is a mechanical breakdown, the tractor can be shut down and made airtight so that the tide could cover it without causing damage.
Read About The Launch Procedure
We operate from a compound in the beach terrace café car park working out of two 'portacabins' and we are looking forward to work starting on a new, purpose built boathouse in the autumn. We are looking forward to the comfort and facilities that the new station will provide for us, that will also include a "walk around gallery"for members of the public to view the boat and chat with the crew.
I am often to be found in St. Annes Cricket Club, and so, if you want advice or a chat, call in and see me - if I'm not out on the beach launching the boat of course!!
Carl's Quick Tip
If you are ever out at sea and you think you are in difficulties, you are
Radio or phone the coastguard and get the lifeboat out - it makes life so much easier for us and we really don't mind!
We prefer happy endings!!
Carl Peacock |
There are two boats at the Lytham St Annes station, Her Majesty The Queen, a Mersey class all weather boat pictured above, and John Kennedy, a D class inshore boat like that shown here. |
D Class LB "John Kennedy" |
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