Farewell to Poole Lifeboat

[Coddy]

On Saturday 12th November we say farewell to our All Weather Lifeboat, ‘The City of

Sheffield’ as she departs from Poole Lifeboat Station. It is a sad day to lose her as she has

been in Poole since 5th September 2001 and to date has responded to 556 shouts and

brought home 400 people.

There will be a flotilla of boats, including Poole’s lifeboats setting off from the Quay from

approximately 11am, come along and say farewell. She will be making a final visit to Poole

on Sunday 13th from 12 to 2pm where members of the public are welcome to come on-board

for the last time.

[Rob]

Makes sense though with the new fast one at swanage and Poole getting a second smaller rib I believe.

[codpiece]

To be honest poole only got a boat when RNLI hq was moved down from London and the mechanic training was moved over from the Isle of white all a long time ago now but happy memories---------no health and safety  and no fuss good  regional inspectors whose life had been spent at sea.  the IRB where built at the old Boreham wood film studio's The Atlantic 21 rib was still a dream of Atlantic college   The first one was delivered to Mudeford for a fortnights  testing which was done by myself & Ken Derham & his son Vic and of  course the Mudeford fishermen had a play (so to speak)  Most of us did not really like the RIB especialy from the launching point of view. and the Run, its bar, the bar along the High-cliff beach,   H and S have now decreed a tractor must launch and retreive (i suppose they meant at high/water)   A little piece of history which i thought might interest you ; in my time in the boat as crew, mechanic. then helm, gives the figure of 162 lives rescued.  that does not give figures for fatalities recovered  all of which where so so sad.     DEREK 

[Rob]

Well done Derek, a job bloody well done!

[Guest cth]

The RNLI moved its headquarters from London to Poole in 1974.^[32] This year also saw the lifeboat station at Fisherman's Dock close for conversion into a lifeboat museum. The lifeboat operated from a new station at Lilliput Marina until 1989 when it was moved to a new site on Poole Quay by Poole Bridge, the Poole Lifeboat cerebrated its 150 years in service last year. Not sure about Mudeford  

[codpiece]

Not RNLI but the first rescue boat at mudeford was a pulling boat belonging to Ken dereham  his first success was a rescue in the run in 1936   it is now hoisted into the roof of Mudeford station for all to see   The fishermans dock boat house was derelict or close to it for a long time and was used by the Poole fishing community for storing gear it was not closed to make a museum it was closed because there was no boat to put in it!!  you can be very sure about Mudeford   and its considerable history.   One other point the Poole boat was not moved to the new "site" on the quay it took over a seldom used police boat mooring  I am curious about your dates---of 1974 date of RNLI coming to Poole   and its boat operating from lilliput until 1989 and then on to the quay berth nearly 20 yrs.  but then lets not quible eh.  not sure about Poole.   but then my Certificate of service only covers 1970 to 1985  a few yrs missing but so ?  Derek 

[Jim]

Any of you old RNLI guys remember a Mr. Turner ( don't know his first name )

Based in Poole and worked on the design of the boats ?

I currently work with one of his sons.

I managed to find a newspaper article about the Penlee lifeboat disaster with a picture of his Dad examining the wreckage on the beach.

 

More lifeboat history !

 

Oh yes . . . my mate used to go to the workshops with his Dad where the boats were being built and was allowed to climb all over them ! !

No health & safety.

He just learned to Hold On ! ! 

 

Jim

[Coddy]

If anyone wishes to read more about Poole Lifeboats click here http://www.poolelifeboats.org.uk/history/history-of-poole-lifeboat-station-2011-present/

 

It does back a very long way.

[Jim]

Asked my mate.

 

His Dad's name was Ron Turner just in case any of you older guys remember him.

[codpiece]

just looked at the RNLI Poole website, cracking coveridge of the early days.   looked at the crew to see the cox John Clarke    last time i saw him was many years ago when we where at Coverack on a diving holiday  brings back a lot of memories must try to get in touch with him,    and Ron Turner rings a bell.    Derek.  

[Mike Fox]

Carol and I popped down.

 

Sad day.

 

Mike

[Jim]

I saw the replacement on the news.

Hmmmm !

 

Something that can handle all sorts of weather replaced by a RUBBER DINGHY !

I wonder if the people that made the decision have been out in stormy weather saving lives in a flipping rubber dinghy ? ? ? ?

 

And before anyone asks ! ! !

No I have not.

I'm not brave enough.

 

Jim

[Mike Fox]

There might be a direct impact on the club here.

 

Some members consider the RNLI a "get me home" service like the RAC or AA, but should remember it's there "to save lives at sea".

 

"Home" for the Swanage and Yarmouth lifeboats isn't in Poole.

 

Could I suggest members consider more "buddy boat" arrangements until the new regime settles down, particularly over the quieter winter months, and take efforts to check and uplift safety kit and arrangements.

 

Mike

[Rob]

I think it is about the suitability of having an offshore boat in the harbour. The RNLI have had some backlash over this decision. I doubt it was rushed in to and analysis if the history of the type of rescues was taken in to consideration.

 

With the Swanage boat now being faster and launched from a ramp for quicker launch time, I expect it makes sense.

 

They are in a no win situation where people complain the amount they spend and now they try to save, same story.

[Rob]

Mike, I hope members of the club don't think of the RNLI as the 'free' AA of the sea!

 

I'd hope the education and knowledge the club spreads means that members understand prevention better than cure and to grasp the gravity and responsibility a skipper has going out on the water.

[codpiece]

Mr Fox,  I and i don't think I would be alone would really appreciate your disclosing the names of club members who consider the RNLI to be a quote   "get you home service"    Rob,  I know that one consideration for replacing the all weather boat was that it was not really suited for harbour work.  Jim. the Atlantic and the ''D'' class boats are far from being "rubber flipping dinghys"   as i am sure the hundreds of people saved by one would say.                                 Derek  Tight lines and safe boating to you all.    

[Jim]

I tip my hat to you and all who are involved with the lifeboats Derek.

But seeing what is going and what is replacing it doesn't fill a simple fella like me with confidence.

 

By the way. I have some good film of the lifeboat leaving Poole escorted by two smaller craft.

I'll post when Iv'e cut & spliced the best bits.

 

Jim

[codpiece]

 Jim,     I bet i am not the only one but yes  PLEASE and thank you.    Derek  

[fisherman1055]

We went through the harbour entrance as the lifeboat was leaving. she came to have a close look at us.

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2016 by Maverick
added photos

[fisherman1055]

We went through the harbour entrance as the lifeboat was leaving. she came to have a close look at us.

Wot no picture???

[Maverick Martin]

Wot no picture???

 

Sorted

[Jim]

My lifeboat photos are not as good as Tony's

Mine are videos which need editing but here's a couple of pictures to be going on with.

I'll get the videos edited ASAP but it all takes time. 

 

 

Jim

 

 

[codpiece]

Looking at the last picture I see that John C was coxing " his" boat on its "last" journey,   I bet that hurt,!!!  it made me gulp a bit.   Derek.   

[Jim]

Try this:

Bit of a rush job on the editing.

Enjoy.

 

Jim

 

[fisherman1055]

Try this:

Bit of a rush job on the editing.

Enjoy.

 

Jim

 

Excellent video Jim

 

Tony