Dart Lifeboat help stranded fishermen then head out on search

 

Dart Inshore Lifeboat had a busy time last weekend: heading out on two calls for help on September 15 and then another call on Sunday September 16.

The Lifeboat was launched at 1.12am on the morning of Saturday September 15 after a fishing boat near Dittisham put out a call for help. The lifeboat crew were Kevin Murphy, who was helm, Tony Rendle and Mark Conroy – Jim Brent launched the lifeboat.

The six-metre open fishing boat, with two men onboard had been travelling back from fishing around the Skerries to Totnes when the boat hit the Anchorstone.

No one was hurt in the collision, but the boat was damaged and left without steering. Helm Kevin Murphy decided to closely escort the boat back to Dartmouth for recovery.

As the recovery was on going the lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard. An angler had reported a large object by the Western Blackstone drifting against the prevailing current.

The Lifeboat ensured that the fishing boat was safe before heading to the Western Blackstone to search for the object at 2.40am.

After searching for more than two hours the lifeboat did not find the object and was recovered at 4.50am.

On the Sunday evening the lifeboat was called at 8.56pm to assist four people stranded on a beach at Mill Point, Stoke Gabriel.

The crew of Kevin Murphy as helm, Lee Darch and Richard Eggleton attended the scene and led the walkers to safety using torches. The boat was launched by Pete Callis and was recovered at 10.30pm.

Kingsbridge Band Storm UK record special album for Dart Inshore Lifeboat

Harry Escott, Ian Barnett, Ian Feetenby and Martin Jackson with the Dart Lifeboat at the recent RNLI fete, at which the special fundraising CD “Call for the Lifeboat” was launched.

 

The Dart Inshore Lifeboat will benefit from sales of a new CD recorded by Kingsbridge band Storm UK.

The five-track CD “Call for the Lifeboat” was recorded by band members Martin Jackson, Ian Feetenby and Ian Barnett in just two weeks after a friend of Ian Feetenby suggested the band’s music could help the lifeboat.

The CD’s title track was written especially for the CD and all the tracks have some connection to the sea.

Martin said it had been a great experience.

“We are delighted to support the Dart Inshore Lifeboat,” he said. “We have been playing together for a while, and love making music – but to help raise funds for such a worthy cause is brilliant. The writing and recording process was a lot of fun too – and we have produced a CD of which we are very proud. We hope it brings in lots of funds for the lifeboat.”

Dart Lifeboat fundraising committee chairman Harry Escott said: “We are so pleased that this wonderful local band has decided to support us with a specially produced CD. We played it at our recent fete, where the CDs were first on sale, and the reaction was tremendous – people loved the music and the CD sold very well. Thanks to Martin, Ian and Ian for this wonderful gesture to help raise funds for the lifeboat.”

The Dart RNLI Fundraising committee has also been celebrating a successful Flag day on Friday August 3 – collecting £1,103.

The CD is on sale at a price of £5 and all of the money raised will go to the Dart Lifeboat. They are available from Tony Kirkland on 01803 732877 or Harry Escott 01803 834296. CDs will also be on sale at the following events from the RNLI sales gazebo; the Stoke Fleming Horticultural & Sports Show, at Dart Lifeboat Station during Dartmouth Regatta and Kingswear Regatta September 9.

Anglers Catch a Big Donation for the RNLI in Dartmouth

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Anglers fishing in the river Dart raised £420 for the RNLI during a special day on Saturday August 4.

The day was organised by Owen Mallia, a deputy launch authority for the Dart Lifeboat, and businessman with a boat charter on the Dart, along with Dart riverman Dave Ridalls.

Twenty men went out on two boats, to have a fun day fishing and socialising, with prizes awarded at the end of the day for the most impressive catches.   There was also a prize for the man who managed to be very ill with travel sickness!

Overall winner of the event was Adrian Keane from Dartmouth fishing on Owen Mallia’s Outlaw of Dartmouth. Adrian weighed in two fish, a Bull Huss of 9.9lbs and a Blonde Ray of 19.4lbs giving him 167percent. Adrian received the Lloyd Saunders Commemorative Award and a new Abu 7500ihs Reel.

Second overall was Richard Albones from Dartmouth fishing on Owen Mallia’s Outlaw of Dartmouth. Richard weighed in a Red Gurnard of 1lb and a Blonde Ray of 10.3lbs giving him 111percent. Richard received a new Ryobi ‘Arctica’ 30lb Class Boat Rod.

Coming third overall was Mark Radcliffe from Southampton fishing on Owen Mallia’s Outlaw of Dartmouth. Mark weighed in a Lesser Spotted Dogfish of 1.14 and a Blonde Ray of 8.6lbs giving him 100percent. He received a new Tackle Box and a Fishing Smock.

Fourth overall was Martin Keane from Dartmouth fishing on Owen Mallia’s Outlaw of Dartmouth. Martin weighed in a Blonde Ray of 11lbs and another Blonde Ray of 11.9lbs giving him 99percent. Martin received a Jarvis Walker Knife set and a number of Sidewinder Lures.

Ranking fifth overall was Chris Tracey from Bugford fishing on Owen Mallia’s Outlaw of Dartmouth. Chris weighed in a Small-Eyed Ray of 7.1lbs and a Plaice of 1.13lbs giving him 89percent. Chris received a Boat Rod and Sidewinder Lures.

Richard Gage from Paignton fishing on Owen Mallia’s Outlaw of Dartmouth, came sixth. He weighed in a Mackerel of 14oz and a Plaice of 1.6lbs giving him 79percent and received a Boat Rod.

The Mike Concannon Commemorative Award for the best species was won by last year’s event winner Nick Shillabeer from Dartmouth fishing on Dave Ridalls’ Saltwind of Dart. Nick caught a nice Small-Eyed Ray of 10.5lbs to achieve the award, and won his Cup and a number of fishing lures.

The ‘random-selection’ two-man Team event was jointly won by Nick Shillabeer and his team mate Adrian Keane, who both received an RNLI Plaque, a bottle of Wine and fishing lures for their high-scoring combined effort at 262percent.

Finally the Monty Halls ‘Unique Event Award’ went to the 2010 event winner Andrew ’Squiff’ Howitt for his less-than salubrious activities on Outlaw of Dartmouth throughout the course of the day (travel sickness got the better of him!), Andrew received a canvas sick bag personally signed by Monty!

Owen Mallia and Dave Ridalls managed to raise a total donation of £420 for the RNLI from the proceeds of the event, this event coincides with the annual Dartmouth RNLI fund-raising week held every August.

Owen said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to all of the anglers who took part in the event. We also want to thank Johhny Chick’s Rod O’Reely’s Tackle Emporium in Dartmouth, Torbay Tackle Centre in Paignton, Manor Angling in Paignton and Tiday Tackle in Torquay for all of their kind donations – which helped to make the event a success.

“Finally, thank you to Jim and Linda Brent at the Ship in Dock Inn for a fantastic Barbecue and a great presentation venue. It was a wonderful day which raised fund for the RNLI and also allowed us all to have a lot of fun!”

Sainsbury’s Colleagues, Meet Richard: Your Dart Inshore Lifeboat Crewman for the Year!

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Sainsbury’s Colleagues visited the Dart Inshore Lifeboat Station on Dartmouth’s Coronation Park to meet Richard Eggleton, the crewman they are supporting this year through their fundraising activities.

 The colleagues, who visited with Dart Lifeboat Station with  Fundraising committee chairman Harry Escott on July 27, met Richard after choosing the RNLI on the Dart as their charity of the year.

Each year Sainsbury’s in Dartmouth choose a charity, which is nominated by local people. Nominations are invited and then the three most popular charities are asked to give a presentation to the “Colleague Council” at the store who then choose which charity they will be supporting with fundraising throughout the year.

The council responded to Harry’s appeal at the RNLI presentation to support the training of a crewmember – and kitting them out too.

Richard Eggleton is the newest member of the Dart RNLI Crew – he signed up after moving to the town with his wife and young family last August, and has already gone out on two call outs.

Training a crewmember costs on average £1,500, and buying all the kit each crewman uses – dry suit, helmet, lifejacket and so on – costs £1,160.

After choosing to support the Dart RNLI, Sainsbury’s sent their colleagues to meet Richard and have a tour of the station.

Jan Wilding said: “We have very clear criteria for the charities we support. We were delighted to support the Dart RNLI because it fulfilled all of them, especially the desire to see a definite outcome from the fundraising. Knowing that we are helping to train Richard and make sure he has the best possible lifesaving equipment is a wonderful outcome and we were all delighted to meet up with him and Harry and see the lifeboat station.”
Harry Escottt said: “We are so pleased that the colleagues at Sainsbury’s in Dartmouth have decided to support us and Richard’s training. Although the RNLI is a national charity it is very locally organised. The recent spate of shouts shows there is a clear need for a lifeboat on the river Dart and Richard is an excellent addition to the 20-strong crew. We will update the colleagues on Richard’s progress through the year and let them see what their fundraising activities are supporting.”