Alderney Lifeboat by Michael O'Gorman

121.5 MHz EPIRP.
This system is likely to close down in 2005. It will not affect dual frequency EPIRPs.

Mirror dinghies.
The kit now costs £1240. It was £99 in 1962!

Part 1 Registration.
All boats Part 1 registered will require re-registering after 21 March this year.

Gas.
Calor gas produce a booklet "LPG (Bottled Gas) for Marine Use" which is applicable to other makes of gas. For long distance sailors a must as it deals with propane/butane conversions and for everyone it deals with new regulations, safety checks and best practices.

Anchoring.
Did you know that your anchor should be put over the starboard bow. The answer lies in the Coriolis effect.

Liferafts in France.
French law says they must be carried and annually serviced. Supposed to apply to visiting yachts but the 'rumble' team who boarded us in St. Vaast last year did not even enquire as to its existence.

Fishing Pots.
Rumour has it that the dreaded EU is thinking of insisting that pot buoys are better marked, thoughts are lights, radar reflectors and flags.

The Rule of Twelve.
Even this hoary old method of calculating height of tide has been metricated viz.
1st & 6th hour 10%
2nd & 5th hour 15%
3rd & 4th hour 25%
It is supposed to be easier.

In 1999 the Royal National Lifeboat Institution celebrates 175 years of saving life at sea. Nowhere, in the UK and Republic of Ireland, where the RNLI operates its 222 lifeboat stations, are the dangers of the sea and the importance of the lifeboat service more clearly understood than in the Channel Islands. Islanders will be amongst the thousands of people joining in the hundreds of events and celebrations during 1999 which aim to remind the public that the lifeboat service, with all but one of its lifeboat stations manned by volunteers, exists to save life at sea and is supported entirely by voluntary donations and legacies.

RNLI Director, Lt. Cdr. Brian Miles, CBE, who retired at the end of 1998 after 34 years with the RNLI said, "the aim of the 175th anniversary campaign is to increase awareness of the RNLI significantly during 1999 and through to the year 2000. Through key events it is an opportunity to make the lifeboat service relevant to the generations who will be providing the voluntary support needed in the 21st century. It is also an occasion for celebration, giving encouragement and motivation to our volunteers and staff in their work".

Two key events will occur in March and June 1999. On the 4th March, the actual birthday, a special anniversary flag will be hoisted and a maroon fired at each of the RNLI's lifeboat stations. In June a Royal review of a flotilla of lifeboats, old and new, plus a selection of lifeboats from Europe, will take place in Poole harbour, Dorset. Other events will include the first floral lifeboat at the Chelsea Flower Show, the first, spectacular lifeboat water ride at a theme park, council flower beds planted with the RNLI anniversary logo, the production of a lifeboat beer, appearances at the Royal Tournament and Edinburgh Tattoo, and cathedral services across the country.

In 1823 Sir William Hillary, an aristocrat and lifeboatman from the Isle of Man, wrote his 'Appeal to the Nation' which led to the foundation of the modern lifeboat service. Although there were lifeboats around the coast, they were few and far between and independently run. The 'Appeal' pointed out the loss to the nation from shipwreck and misery caused by so many deaths and the effect on the morale of all seamen. His 'Appeal' gained wide sympathy and support and in a meeting on 4th March 1824, at the City of London Tavern, the 'National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck' was formed. In 1854 the name was changed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The Channel Islands is an essential part of this huge organisation which operates 305 lifeboats ranging from 4.9m (16ft) to 17m (55ft 9in) in length. There are four lifeboat stations in the Channel Islands at Alderney, St. Peter Port, St. Helier and St. Catherine. Each is run by volunteers and has groups of fundraisers who support the service. Between them, the volunteer crews have saved 1,394 lives.

Alderney lifeboat station was first established in 1869 and closed in 1884 when there was difficulty in obtaining a crew as so many fishermen had left the island. The lifeboat 'Mary and Victoria' never launched on service and was transferred to St. Helier when this station was established in 1884.

The RNLI re-established the lifeboat station at Alderney in 1985 following a year's evaluation using one of the then designs of lifeboat, a 33ft Brede class. The station was officially opened on 10th May by the Duchess of Kent who presented the 'Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum' to Mr. John Kay-Mouat, President of the States of Alderney, for the life-saving work carried out by private boats in Alderney during the 100 years in which there was no lifeboat on the island.

Since then the lifeboat station has been involved in many courageous rescues. In 1986 Coxswain Stephen Shaw, who is the harbour-master, was awarded the RNLI's Bronze Medal and the 'Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum' was awarded to Assistant Mechanic Michael O'Gorman. The lifeboat crew saved the lives of four people and the yacht, 'Sea Victor' in a southerly gale and rough seas on 4th May 1986. Later that year Stephen Shaw was again involved in a dangerous service to a yacht, 'Seylla', with six people on board in a southerly storm force 10 on 25th August. He was awarded another Bronze Medal, as was Second Coxswain Martin Harwood, whilst the 'Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum' was awarded to Mechanic Nigel Rose, Assistant Mechanic Michael O'Gorman and crewmember James McDonald.

In 1994 the lifeboat station was the first to receive one of the fastest all-weather lifeboats in the RNLI's fleet, a 14.2m (46ft 9in) Trent class lifeboat. In 1995 the station received its own brand new Trent class lifeboat funded by a legacy from Channel Island's businessman Roy Barker. The lifeboat is named, Roy Barker 1. The £6 million legacy, the biggest that the RNLI has every received, provides a new all-weather lifeboat from the interest every 3-4 years. The lifeboat station now also operates a 4.9m (16ft) D class inshore lifeboat.

Lifeboats stationed at Alderney have launched 396 times, saved 288 lives and assisted 188 other people.

Before you push the boat out, get a copy of the booklet "SAFETY on the SEA" produced by the RNLI's Sea Safety Liaison Working Group which has representation from the following organisations and agencies:- British Marine Industries Federation (BMIF) Coastguard Agency (COASTGUARD), Marine Safety Agency (MSA), Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), Royal National Lifeboat Instition (RNLI), Royal Yachting Association (RYA). It provides useful basic safety guidelines and information you should be aware of before going to sea. You can get a copy at the RNLI station.