FOR SALE

The now retired;

Ferryside Lifeboat

Purchased 2001.

• Professional Series Ribcraft 5.85m.
• Twin 60HP Mariner engines,

• Low Hours,
• Maintained to the highest standards,
• Purchased 2003.

• All extras expected on a retired Lifeboat.
• Tubes and Hull in excellent condition (housed inside until retirement).
• One owner & LOTS of history.
• Sale to include launch trailer, plus a new & bespoke outside cover.
• Any inspection welcome.
• See YouTube, “Ferryside Lifeboat – New vs Old.”

£13,995 O.N.O

www.www.ferryside-lifeboat.co.uk

e-mail: [email protected]

Call: Anthony, 07891128951.

Many Thanks to all those who turned up yesterday for the annual Ferryside Strongman competition, and especially a big thanks to Jacko who once again organised everything and made it such a big success.

As usual the crew put up a contestant. This year we fielded two contestants working together to try and match the genuine strong men. We’re proud to announce that this year the crew finished in a commendable 4th place… out of four contestants.

We would also like to remind everybody that here will be another event in the Ferryside Rugby Club on May 27th where the Olympic Torch will be shown as a part of its tour around the UK.

The next fundraiser for the Ferryside Lifeboat will be the annual Glastonferry event. This year it is being held in both the White Lion and the Rugby Club. The afternoon will kick off in the White Lion with acoustic and folk acts, then onto the main bands in the Rugby Club for the evening’s main bands, this year headlined by Supergene. More details on this to follow.

Don’t forget we will also have our other usual fundraisers, the Garden Crawl, the Big Swim and this year we will also have the official launch of the new lifeboat. More details on all of these to follow soon.

On a more serious note we would again like to remind people to check out the tide times and weather reports (links on the website) before walking around Ferryside and Llansteffan. The tide can come in incredibly quickly and leave you suddenly stranded.

Here are a few shots of the New Ferryside Lifeboat ‘The Freemason’ next to the old Lifeboat ‘Blundell’ after a recent training session. Although the only difference in size is an extra 60cm length on The Freemason she looks like a much bigger boat.

We are in the process of finalising a few fundraising events for the Summer so please keep coming back and checking up with what’s happening this year. We hope to see you at a few events.

Also a brief reminder to everybody. Please check our weather and tide times links before you plan on going out and about around Carmarthen Bay. We have unfortunately had our first call out this year as a search and rescue to find stranded walkers cut off by the tide.

 

 

 

 

We’re pleased to announce that 2012 has proved to be a quiet year so far. The Ferryside Lifeboat has not been called out on an emergency rescue yet but we’re conscious that as the weather improves, more and more people will be out on the water. As we look towards April we know that the chances of the lifeboat being called out increase dramatically. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that we have the weather and tide tables up on the website under our ‘useful links’ page so please use this if you’re out and about in the area. The tide can be notoriously quick coming in and out over the deceptive sands of the Carmarthen Bar. Please be safe and take every precaution before going out on or near the water.

We would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to the landlord and regulars of the Fountain in Meidrim who raised a substantial £195.11 from a Bingo night on February 17th. It was great coming out to meet you and we had a fantastic night. Hope to see you all again soon.

As a reminder to anybody who is interested in the work of the Ferryside Lifeboat, we conduct training sessions on Wednesday evenings and over the weekend. If anybody is interested in volunteering then come down to the lifeboat station or call the duty coxswain on the mobile number provided.

 

Some photos of night time training on the 25th January. Testing the new navigation systems in rough sea, high winds and no light. Photos courtesy of Mr. Blurrycam. Sadly these were the best shots we could get in the weather.

 

Here’s a little video we made up to celebrate Mike Hackfort being promoted to Senior Crew. Well done Mike!

You can check out more videos on our YouTube channel here or type this into your browser http://www.youtube.com/user/FerrysideLifeboat

erm… I’m not entirely sure what to say about this but it made me laugh. Judge for yourselves! We apologise in advance for Jim’s acting.

 

and remember… Stay away from the water!

2011 has proven to be a year of great significance for the lifeboat, with a number of significant changes to both equipment and personnel, and a renewal of our relationship with both St John and the wider community.

The most obvious change is the new lifeboat, “The Freemason,” and we can now announce that she has officially gone on-station and is active with HM CG. Plans for 2012 and beyond include a replacement “mud boat” for use at low water, a renewal of crew Personal Protective Equipment, and the launch of a campaign to raise funding for a rescue hovercraft in Ferryside. So watch this space…

However, perhaps the most significant changes are the ones seen amongst the crew, as it is the crew that is the heart and soul of the lifeboat.

Coxswain Dave Smith has decided to retire and, after many years continued service, has decided to spend more of his time with his wife Doreen. Dave, the entire crew wish you and Doreen all the very best for the future, and it is our sincerest hope that we will continue to see you down at the boat station. Our door will forever remain open to you.

We have seen many new and returning crew, and thanks to crew members Rob Harley, Mark Kessel, Ben Morris, Jason Duxbury, Adrian Batte, and Alan Brinkworth we now have greater strength in depth than we have had for a long time.

At our recent crew Christmas party, new crew Richard Jones and Simon Lamble were both promoted to full crew from trainee status. Together they both have made huge contributions to the running of the boat and have proved themselves more than up to the job in a rescue scenario. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that “Iowa” Mike Hackfort has accepted a promotion to Senior Crew. As well as continuing to be our Secretary, Iowa will now take his advanced powerboat course and begin to run crew-training sessions.

Finally, we can announce that Senior Crew James Littlejohns has accepted promotion to Coxswain. Jim is an advanced powerboat user, with a history of teaching powerboat skills to people in the Swansea area. Since joining our number, Jim has continued improve his skill levels and knowledge and, through innumerable hours training, has acquired an intricate knowledge of the lifeboat and the waters on which she serves. Alongside Coxswains Tony Bean, Andy Morgan, and Anthony Rees, Jim will now assume full command in rescue situations as a Launch Authority for Ferryside Lifeboat.

The crew of Ferryside Lifeboat would like to thank all our supporters for their help and assistance during 2011. You are too numerous to mention you all by name, however rest assured that your assistance is greatly appreciated and continues to help keep the lifeboat tradition in Ferryside. Furthermore, we would like to wish everyone the very best for the coming new year.

Anthony Rees.

It’s almost that time of year again. We will be doing the New Year’s Day dip again on January 1st 2012. Andy Morgan may or may not be in a mankini. If somebody donates £100 via PayPal between now and New Year’s Day we promise that we’ll burn it!