| SHERINGHAM
COASTGUARDS |
On Sunday 20th July we were delighted to go along to
Mundesley Boat Day, where Coastguards from Sheringham, Cromer and Mundesley were doing a
cliff top rescue demonstration.
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It was very hot and the huge crowd that had come along to watch were lucky enough to be
wearing skimpy clothing, but the poor Coastguards had to wear full kit.
The demonstration showed how the Coastguards from the various towns had to be able to work
as a team and also how they would rescue a person who had fallen over a cliff. The
demonstration was extremely interesting to watch, showing in great detail exactly how they
go quietly and efficiently about the task of saving lives. We also saw exactly how much
kit they have to carry on their call outs.
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The weather was very different in January this year, when the team rescued a young man who
had tumbled down a cliff.
Earlier this month the team were honoured with the HM Coastguard Rescue Shield. This is
over 80 years old and is presented once a year.
It was awarded in recognition of the courage and skill of the 14 individuals during the
dramatic clifftop rescue which saved the young man's life. This is the first time that it
has been awarded to the Coastguards in Norfolk.
We should be very proud of them and we would like to thank them for all they do for us in
keeping our coast safe.
Team work saves lives and HM Coastguard would like to encourage any youngsters who may be
interested to join them and keep the excellent work going for future generations. |
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| SHERINGHAM
LIFEBOAT DAY |
| It was a beautiful morning on Sunday 27
July, when Deb and I were delighted to attend the Lifeboat Day. As we approached the
Lifeboat Shed, Shantymen music was playing through the loudspeakers and several people
were already there, waiting to watch the demonstrations that were to take place that day.
The Lifeboat men were joined for the day by Sheringham and Cromer Coastguards, who were
demonstrating how they would rescue a casualty from a cliff fall, transfer them to the
beach and on to a waiting Lifeboat to be evacuated to hospital, an exercise used when the
beach cannot be reached by ambulance. Teamwork at its best. The shop in the Lifeboat
shed was open and manned by two of the many volunteers that the R.N.L.I. rely upon to help
raise the money required for the service to be provided. |
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The Lifeboat was manoeuvred down to the sea by a specially
designed tractor, which has the cab and engine compartment airtight to protect the driver
and of course ensure that the tractor can drive into deep enough water both to launch and
recover the boat. |
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Steve Roberts, the tractor driver who is a member of the
RAF serving at Coltishall, told me that at times when the sea is rough, the tractor is so
buoyant he can feel it almost floating away. (Not for me thank you!) When the boat
returns to shore it is 'caught' by a net on the back of the trailer, the boat has to catch
a wave and come in really fast, the net then 'catches' it, the tractor drives away and the
boat settles on to the trailer. |
| They only have to be a little off target or too fast and
the results could be tragic. While watching this manoeuvre on a calm sea in
beautiful sunny light, you can only admire the skill and courage this requires when it is
usually completed, in bad light and often during stormy weather. |
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| We hope that you enjoy the photographs above as much as we
enjoyed the day. |
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This leaves us only one thing to say to the Volunteers,
Lifeboatmen, Coastguards and importantly, their families who have to sit at home
worrying.... THANK YOU ALL. |
All photographs taken will be available on
www.at-sheringham-norfolk.co.uk shortly, please take a look |
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