In case you missed it, over the weekend the Associated Press examined why the world’s largest aerial firefighting tanker has remained grounded while wildfires burn across the western United States. |
Monthly Archives: July 2017
RETURN TO REFLOAT YACHT AGROUND AT HOLY ISLAND
The Yacht, finally clear of the shingle bank, being escorted into Holy Island Harbour, to be met by the Coastguard Rescue Team and Harbour Master.
A relieved Yacht skipper we suspect !
At 17:00hr on Friday 14th July 2017, both lifeboats relaunched, and returned to the yacht to assist it to free itself on tonight’s high tide. The tide was tonight was slightly lower than this morning, so if the yacht could not be freed, it could be marooned for a week at least till the tides start to pick up again. At the point of high tide, the yacht was still not refloating. With some wash generated by the lifeboats, it was finally possible to gently tow the yacht clear. Care had to be taken to prevent any damage to the yacht’s hull. The yacht, once finally clear, was escorted to Holy Island harbour, where it was met by the local Coastguard Rescue Team. After a friendly chat between the Coastguard, yacht crew and lifeboat crews, both Seahouses Lifeboats returned to station at 20.30hr that night. A slightly difficult job, but with a successful conclusion.
YACHT AGROUND AT HOLY ISLAND REQUESTS ASSISTANCE
Photos show the yacht below Lindisfarne Castle and the ILB alongside
At 07:51hr on Friday 14th July 2017, UK Coastguard requested the immediate launch of both Seahouses Lifeboats, to go to the assistance of a 26ft yacht with three persons and a dog on board. The yacht had run aground on the gravel outcrop at Holy Island, near the haven, known as the Rigg, and was unable free itself.
SEAHOUSES INSHORE LIFEBOAT CALLED TO ASSIST FEMALE WHO HAD ENTERED THE WATER OFF SEAHOUSES BEACH FULLY CLOTHED
At 16.48hr on Sunday 9th July 2017, UK Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat, to the report of a female entering the water fully clothed from Seahouses Beach.
Exmouth RNLI (Volunteers tasked during RNLI Inspection)
Photos: (Credit: Exmouth RNLI)
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Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn tows the broken down fishing boat back to mooring.
Exmouth’s volunteers tasked to fishing boat in difficulty during the Institution’s inspection
Crew volunteers were tasked by the UK Coastguard at 7pm on Wednesday 5 July to the aid of a broken down fishing boat nine miles south of the Exe estuary. Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn was on exercise during an RNLI three-yearly inspection.
Royal Canadian Air Force Marks Graduation of 50th Search and Rescue Course
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13 July 2011
Cat Lake, Ontario
On 13 July, 2011, 8 Wing Trenton’s 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron was tasked to aid an evacuation process of several individuals stranded near Cat Lake, Ontario.
The Government of Canada responded swiftly to an urgent request from the Province of Ontario as a result of wild fires threatening the community of Cat Lake. The fires have already cut the community from electricity. Two Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules aircraft, one from 435 Squadron based at 17 Wing Winnipeg and another from 424 Squadron based out of Trenton Ontario, evacuated approximately 120 residents of Cat Lake to Kapuskasing, Ont.
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Whitecourt, Alberta
10 May 2008
Sergeant Darcy St Laurrent, a search and rescute technician with 435 Squadron, 17 Wing Winnipeg, jumps out the back of a CC-130 Hercules. This was Sgt StLaurrent’s 500th career jump.
Sergeant Darcy StLaurrent, a Search and Rescue Technician with 435 Squadron Winnipeg, leaps out of the back of a CC-130 Hercules. This was Sgt StLaurrent’s 500th jump.
From 09 -13 May 2008, 435 Squadron conducted a Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise in Alberta. Two CC-130 Hercules Aircraft participated in aerial manouvers and SAR Techs performed equipment drops, static line jumps as well as free fall descents. The exercise covered airspace as far west as the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where 435 Sqn Pilots flew contour practice missions.
Photograph by Corporal Colin Aitken
July 6, 2017 – Comox, B.C. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and Royal Canadian Air Force leaders welcomed eleven new Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) into their trade today at 19 Wing Comox.
A Very Special Flight – “Soaring to New Heights…”
This last Saturday during our Human External Cargo (“HEC”) re-certification training with Valley Helicopters, we had the opportunity to take our friend Kyle, his mom Kristen, and Kyle’s service dog Clover up for a rotation on the helicopter longline. Kyle, who loves North Shore Rescue (and Batman), lives with autism and has recently made tremendous leaps in his journey.
Volunteers launch during fundraising performance and BBC filming)
Photos: (Credit: Exmouth RNLI)
PR040717 George Bearman II launches during BBC team filming
PR040717 Mikron Theatre Co performing to guests just before launching on service
Inshore lifeboat George Bearman II was tasked three times on 2 July to assist a total of nine people in difficulty. The first was during a performance by Mikron Theatre Co. and whilst the BBC were filming an interview about a rescue story for Countryfile.
Both the Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn and inshore lifeboat George Bearman II with their launching systems were already positioned on the ramp, as the boat hall was transformed into a theatre for the 2pm play. Crew volunteers Robert ‘Tommo’ Thompson, Andy Stott and Charles Swales were about to change into their drysuits and lifejackets for an interview on the ramp with BBC presenter, Keeley Donovan.
The D class lifeboat was tasked at 3.25pm to the river Clyst where two men and a woman had reported to be in difficulty when their 18’ Bayliner went aground. Within 30 minutes, Crew volunteers discovered the vessel further upstream, off Topsham as the casualties had managed to push themselves afloat safely.
The Crew returned to the lifeboat station and continued the interview until 5.45pm when they were tasked for a second time. Still dressed in their kit in the warm weather, the team returned to the river Exe near Topsham. A second Bayliner (21’), this time with four adults and two children had called 999 for help after finding themselves aground on a mudflat. Due to the ebbing tide and sticky mud, the volunteers were only able to position George Bearman II 15 metres from the casualties’ location. Crew volunteers checked on their welfare, handed over bottled water and it was agreed to launch again to attempt rescue in a rising tide.
At 9.09pm, a different team of Crew volunteers launched to check on the casualties’ welfare in daylight to assess the situation. Helm, Guy Munnings describes the scene:
‘When we reached the location at around 9.30pm, there was still not enough water in the river Exe to tow the vessel off without damage. The casualties were equipped suitably, had warm clothing and were happy to wait a bit longer for assistance. At 11pm, once the tide had lifted, we towed them towards Starcross and then escorted them to Exmouth Marina where they made way under their own steam.’
- The BBC were filming an interview for Countryfile Diaries about a rescue of two jet skiers from 26 May. The episode is due to be scheduled in mid to late August and features Respect the Water safety advice. More details on our charity’s Respect the Water campaign can be found here: www.respectthewater.com.
- Mikron Theatre Co. were performing ‘In at the Deep End’, a story about the RNLI. Over 40 guests attended and money raised from the performance will be donated to Exmouth Lifeboat. Mikron chose Exmouth as one of eight RNLI lifeboat stations to perform in. Future performances will take place at Selsey lifeboat station on 11 July and the RNLI Lifeboat College on 13 July.
See www.mikron.org.uk for more details.
REPORT OF 3 PERSONS IN THE WATER IN DIFFICULTY AT BEDNELL BAY
At 18:10 on Wednesday 28 June 2017 UK Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat to the report of persons in difficulty in the water at Beadnell Bay. The weather was not suitable for an ILB launch at Seahouses.
NATIONAL AIR AMBULANCE AWARDS: NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
The winners from the 2016 Awards of Excellence
The Association of Air Ambulances is today calling on the air ambulance community across the UK to nominate an individual or team for this year’s Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence. These prestigious, independent awards honour the exceptional contributions of staff and volunteers within the UK air ambulance community.