Seconds from disaster

In challenging conditions, Pwllhelli RNLI  lifeboat prepares to tow the yacht Galasma. (Photo: Hanna Nuuttila)

Today I received through my letterbox a letter from Ken Robertson, ALB (All-Weather Lifeboat) Coxswain at Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Station, appealing for support.

Included in the envelope was a small print of the above award-winning photograph entitled: 'Seconds from disaster'. It brilliantly captures the rough sea state and bad weather conditions during the rescue of the 35-foot Southerly yacht Galasma by the combined efforts of New Quay and Pwllheli RNLI Mersey Class all-weather lifeboats. The drama unfolded in the Irish Sea on the 6th September 2008.

I came across some controversial but interesting opinions held by one Oliver Shaw about the options he suggests the skipper of the Galasma had on the day at 'Rescue Photograph wins Award for Volunteer' (on the website sail-world.com); well worth the read if you have the time and proof that a good photograph can spark off a lively debate.

It was good to see that the print of the photograph was properly credited to the photographer - Hanna Nuuttila. Hanna is a volunteer crewmember at New Quay RNLI Lifeboat Station in Wales. The photograph deservedly earned her the accolade of 'RNLI Photographer of the Year 2008'.
A marine biologist by profession, Hanna Nuuttila has been carrying out some interesting research into the behaviour of dolphins and porpoises in Cardigan Bay of which you can read more at: 'Dolphins bully porpoises, researcher discovers' (link to an article in The Guardian newspaper on 11 May 2010). Further information about Hanna's interesting marine activities can be found at www.seamor.org 
Credit: Photo of Hanna Nuuttila with her award courtesy RNLI.

Back to RNLI Coxswain Ken Robertson's appeal...

Our volunteers are unpaid and risk their lives to save others. Without your help they couldn't rescue anyone. It costs over €30 to keep one of our lifeboats running at full speed for 5 minutes. The 5 vital minutes that your €30 (donation to the RNLI) could buy might make the difference between life and death for someone freezing in the icy waters off our shores.

Interested in making that difference? If so, please click on How to Support the RNLI (link to RNLI official website).

It's Christmas - Support your local RNLI Lifeboat

 

Support your local RNLI Lifeboat this Christmas! All Dublin Bay Sailing Club Turkey Shoot and Spring Chicken photographs are available as digital files only for the month of December 2008 in return for a direct donation to the RNLI, Dun Laoghaire. Remember, 100% of your contribution will go directly to the RNLI, Dun Laoghaire.
Email sailpixireland@gmail.com for full details.

Ireland's Green Dragon sets sail for Alicante and the start of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09

 

Green Dragon - IRL 888 (Copyright 2008 Sailpix Ireland)

Green Dragon - IRL 888 departing for Alicante (Copyright 2008 Sailpix Ireland)

Ireland's entry in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 departing from Dun Laoghaire Harbour on August 23rd, 2008 carrying our sailing hopes and ambitions on board.

Green Dragon, IRL 888, a Volvo Open 70, is escorted by Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Anna Livia and a flotilla of enthusiastic supporters.


Green Dragon Photo Gallery HERE


Green Dragon official website HERE
Volvo Ocean Race official website HERE

Portrush RNLI Lifeboat 'Katie Hannan' rescued

 

The Portrush RNLI Severn Class All-Weather Lifeboat was successfully towed off rocks at Rathlin Island on 15th February 2008. Katie Hannan ran aground in a heavy swell and gale force winds on the 29th January while attempting a rescue. The vessel is currently on her way by barge (the 80-metre long Terra Marique) to a specialist boatyard in Plymouth. There the RNLI will assess the damage and decide on salvage.

Congratulations to all involved in the operation and Best Wishes to the brave crew of the lifeboat Katie Hannan and all at Portrush RNLI.

Story courtesy of the Irish Examiner HERE

Photographs courtesy of RNLI Portrush HERE

Meanwhile, it's business as usual for the RNLI at Portrush with two call-outs for the crew of the relief Severn Class lifeboat Margaret Joan and Fred Nye on the 18th February. The first call out at 04:30 hrs was to a cliff rescue, the second at 22:30 hrs was ironically back to Rathlin Island to bring a sick child to the mainland for treatment.

Update 18 April 2008: The RNLI will provide a permanent replacement Severn class lifeboat for Portrush following the decision not to repair the Katie Hannan.
Full story at: http://www.portrushrnli.com/

Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Website Now Online

 

If you haven't already done so, click on the link below and check out Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat's new website.

Photo features Ken Robertson, All-Weather Lifeboat Coxswain, RNLI Dun Laoghaire looking particularly pleased at the launch of the site on the 25 Nov 2007. 

For more photos and further reading, click on this link:
http://www.sailpixireland.com/2007/11/rnli-dun-laoghaire.html

www.dunlaoghaire-lifeboat.ie

Historic Occasion for RNLI Dun Laoghaire

Man Overboard! (Copyright 2007 Sailpix Ireland)

 

RNLI Fires Maroon Rockets for the Last Time!
The age-old tradition of firing maroon rockets to alert the RNLI Lifeboat crew at Dun Laoghaire came to an end on 25th Nov 2007.

To mark the occasion, which coincided with the launch of their new website, a textbook demonstration rescue was carried out by the local RNLI in Dun Laoghaire Harbour to the delight and admiration of cheering crowds gathered on East Pier.
Earlier, volunteer victim Eoin Hughes had 'fallen' overboard from the yacht Orna (Orna Skipper Philip Dilworth holding hand-held flare). After the alarm was raised, two maroon rockets were fired for the last time from the lifeboat station. A 'Trent' Class All-Weather Lifeboat ALB No. 14-06 was launched and young Eoin was soon pulled from the sea by its volunteer crew. Afterwards, the ALB carried out a simulated rescue of a yacht in distress by towing Orna back to the shore.
The inshore 'D' class RNLI Lifeboat ILB D-565 also put on a display. In future, electronic pagers will be used to warn the lifeboat crews.

Photo Gallery HERE (or click on photo above)

The more observant among you will notice the relief Trent Class ALB Lifeboat No. 14-06 used in the demonstration is not the lifeboat permanently stationed at Dun Laoghaire - the Anna Livia. The Anna Livia, Lifeboat No. 14-05 (also a 'Trent' class ALB) is presently undergoing an extensive re-fit.

Check out Dun Laoghaire RNLI's new website by clicking on the link at:

www.dunlaoghaire-lifeboat.ie