New Slipway Trials
Tractor assisted Hovercraft launch a success
This
weekend, on a bright fresh winter's morn the duty crews and others mustered
to receive instruction on the new launch and recovery procedure for Hovercraft
on the new slipway.
More details to come but check this link out
for the newest shots taken. The D-class is currently being launched in
the original way as this is felt to be the quickest exit for that craft
.
Certainly until the new boathouse is built inshore anyway. Watch this space for the latest news and pictures.
Southend Lifeboat Annual Crew Dinner
7.30pm , Cliffs Pavilion, Friday 24th February 2012
I was going to say well it's that time of year again but it's not because
we've moved it!
But you know what I mean - the annual Crew dinner is back and this time
in the second half of February. This annual event is getting bigger and
bigger by the year. In 2011 we had record numbers of guests and despite
the downturn in the economy the night was a huge success, not just in
terms of funds raised but also in terms of the jolity
of the occassion. Everyone left the event with a smile on their faces.
Now, whether that smile was one of the self satisfaction gained on having
laid out generously for some raffle tickets or maybe a brave bid for one
of the auction lots or even, may I be so bold as to venture, an extra tipple of something warming for the long walk home. Whatever it was we don't mind, just as long as you all come back and do it again this year.
Ticket prices have been held at £32 each and this gets you a first
class meal, an entry in the main raffle and some after dinner entertainment.
A VIP from RNLI HQ will speak after dinner as well as the worshipful Mayor.
We are very happy to arrange tables for small numbers or take block bookings
for your own table. For tickets email
here or at crewdinner@southendlifeboat.org, before the cut off
of 31st January please. To be sure of a table you are advised to get in
early.
Tightliners Seafishing Forum
Exercising
on a bright chilly Sunday morning can feel a lot more worthwhile when
we have visitors travelling from afar bearing gifts!
The first clue something was afoot was our Chairman turning up. Jim can
sniff a cheque presentation out a mile away you know. Sure enough, it
wasn't long before a representation from the Tightliners Seafishing Forum
appeared, braving the bone chilling breeze to hand over a cheque for £1,100.
Members from as far away as Middlesex had made the effort to make the
presentation.
As if this wasn't impressive enough they are already making plans to raise
more money for 2012 towards the new Inshore Boathouse Project.
So many thanks to the Tightliners and we look forward to seeing you again
next year when a cup of warm tea will be waiting!
New Slipway Handed Over
Ahead of schedule, our brand new slipway has been handed over to us by
the contractors. We hope you agree that it certainly looks the part. Much
thought has gone into the design as we have a D-boat and a hovercraft
to operate on it.
Over the
next week or so new launching and recovery procedures will be ironed out
and all crew will be bought up to speed on what to do.
The more shallow gradient and the slip sidewalls are going to take a lot
of the stress out of a speedy launch. Also we have a tractor to use instead
of two winches, so the critical path (which was the stern winch)has now
changed.
Mac Tools & Britool Expert
Donates over £1600 worth of tools
Mac Tools 
&
Britool Expert
have supported the RNLI by donating tools worth over £1600 to the
Southend on Sea Station.
Liam Kettlewell, UK marketing manager for Britool Expert says, "As a well-established
and well-known British brand, we feel it is imperative to give back to
local communities, and there is no more worthy recipient than the RNLI.
The work the volunteer lifeboat crews do, in the face of sometimes shocking
and life-threatening conditions, is marvellous and we hope that our tools
can help keep the vessels in perfect working order."
Station DLA Giles Offord said,"We are extremely grateful to Mac Tools
& Britool Expert for this very generous donation. All the tools will be
put to good use when carrying out maintenance work on our boats and hovercraft."
Feel
free to use the pictures on this site. Spread the word! The high
resolution shots make great wallpaper backgrounds for your computer. Our
pictures are free but unfortunately running the RNLI is not. Click
here if you would like to help ensure we can continue to save lives
at sea.
