Annual Report 2000

This page was updated on: Monday, October 19, 2009

A FIFTEEN YEAR OLD BOY was perhaps fortunate the Venturers provide a 24-hour weekend and holiday period service at Lepe Beach. While swimming in Dark Water Creek which flows out to the sea, the outgoing tide swept him into the sluice gate where he became trapped by the strong current. After being rescued, he was treated at our Operational Control for a large number of cuts and grazes all over his body.

Two other men were lucky that our Rescue Boat "Mount Batten Venturer" out on a late evening patrol, spotted a small powerboat swamped and aground on the bramble bank with a rising tide.

A yacht which left the Beaulieu River for St. Malo, only got as far as the mouth of the river and ran aground on a falling tide at about O5OOhrs.

The Cadets laid out a kedge anchor and took the crew ashore for a cup of hot coffee. With the yacht now secure and only awaiting for an incoming tide the crew were transported to the Langley Restaurant for a breakfast.

Cowes Week was again busy and on one day with very strong winds both crews were out for eleven hours, towing in dismasted yachts, or yachts which had run aground on Lepe Spit, in spite of the fact Trinity House have erected a large Cardinal Buoy to mark the danger.

A power cruiser which nose dived into the back of a large wave shattering the windscreen with shards of glass cutting the crew. Half filled up with water and drowned both engines with the risk of it being driven ashore on Gurnard Ledge, it was towed to the safety of Cowes Harbour by our larger rescue RIB "Venturer One."It is called this as we are still hoping to find a Sponsor to name it - "Venturer plus sponsor's name."

The rescue of a yacht with a broken rudder in rough waters demonstrated the skill of our Coxswain and crews; and the need for US to carry a drogue to use in such circumstances.

Another interesting rescue was a motor cruiser with two adults and three children on board, which fouled its anchor and even with its own power winch could not recover it. With darkness falling urgent action was required.

Having first checked on our charts that it was not over one of the many power, gas and water lines which cross from the mainland to the I.O.W., we made several attempts to recover by sliding a bridle down the anchor chain. Eventually, the useful equipment we carry i.e. a hefty pair of bolt croppers resolved the situation. Having first secured a buoy to the chain outside the bow, it was cut from the main deck.

We provided our usual safety boat service for the Annual Round the Island Race which has several thousand yachts taking part and also for the Cowes Classic Power Boat Races.

On land we provided First Aid and Ambulance safety cover for public events such as the Salisbury and South Wilts Agricultural Show. A letter from the Show Secretary highlighted the importance of providing this sort of service.

In the letter she said "Many Traditional country happenings could not take place without Ambulance cover at all times." Further safety was provided for School Cross Country Runs and Schools Athletic Trials.

Perhaps the most important part of both our sea and land rescue, is the fact that once trained the youngsters themselves take on the leading role, although unfortunately we get a lot of criticism in allowing teenagers to take command of a rescue boat or do actual first aid.

As HRH The Prince of Wales said in his second maiden speech in the House of Lords, when commending the work of the Venturers "Some people consider it wrong to allow young boys to take out boats in rough conditions; but so long as adequate precautions are taken to guard against unnecessary risks there can be no more rewarding and educative experience."

Although on the sidelines there are adults just waiting for the opportunity to discredit the Venturers with a number of unfounded rumours in circulation. Indeed they really jumped in with both feet, when one of our young Cadets disobeyed instructions to swim close to the beach, so as to avoid the strong currents running out of the Beaulieu River.

Caught in the current he was unable to swim back against the tide, however our safety procedures. That they always wear a wet suit when swimming as protection against cold and for the buoyancy it gives.

That we have our beach rescue boat keeping watch. Quickly brought him back to shore. However, apparently the report submitted to the Coastguard by a third party changed this to he was wearing a heavy dri-suit and had been ordered to swim out to the rescue boat on the outer mooring.

It was sad when our Beach Rescue Boat "Colin Goodchild" had its inflatable tubes slashed with a knife while still on service. Not only did this put the lives of swimmers at risk, but we could not reach our main Rescue Boat on its mooring had t been required.

Financially this year we have just managed to hold our own, although with insurance and fuel escalating, it has been a "close run thing." My main worry is with so much effort put into providing a Service, the maintenance of Boats and Ambulances which we do in our own workshop, the Training and Exams leaves little time for conventional fund raising.

That we have become rather dependant on charitable trusts, many of whom quite naturally will want to move their support to other charitable causes. While the National Lottery seems to have little understanding of the requirements of small organisations, will give £100,000 to move a stone from Wales to Stonehenge, but not £3,000 for a small Cadet Training Boat for the Venturers.

An experience which many other small worthy groups are also finding.

However we have survived since 1961 and hope to go on for many years to come.

That eventually our example in proving if you give young teenagers the training, equipment, opportunity and trust, they can provide a useful service to the community and at the same time develop their characters and initiative.

The experience of which will effect their adult life style and provide employers with willing and trustworthy staff.

Yours sincerely,

Capt. P.G. Pearce-Smith, M.B.E.,
Hon. Executive Officer