Annual Report 2001

This page was updated on: Tuesday, October 20, 2009

This Years Annual Reported really starts the day before Christmas 2000, when a call from the Police asked if we could use our Four wheel Drive Ambulance to look for a 85 year old lady missing over night after a walk in the New Forest.

Quickly found up to her waist in a bog; but probably kept alive by the heat from the bog and her woolly hat. She was still bright and cheerful, the Venturers 4X4 Ambulance was used to bring in the County Ambulance crew and transport to a hard road where a conventional Ambulance was waiting.

The Police were so impressed that a decision was made by the Chief Constable to draw up a Memorandum of understanding to utilise the Services of the Venturers Search and Rescue. Quite a major step for a Youth Organisation.

The Venturers provide First Aid and Ambulance cover for many Field and Charitable events in the New Forest. Where a Four wheel drive Ambulance which can reach any part of the course is required. Two recent events being;

The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust "Bike Ride"; and the Riding for Handicapped Fortune Centre's; Pony Orienteering Ride.

First Aid and safety cover was provided for a number of other organisations including Schools cross country runs. None of which for Insurance purposes could take place without such cover. Which leaves us with a possible problem for next year.

The growing number of people being encouraged to sue for even minor injuries; by Solicitors advertising "No Win No Fee" has made Insurance Companies reluctant to take Public Liability Insurance on risk from Voluntary Organisations.

Although we have never had a claim, our Major Company declined to renew, and it was only with great difficulty that our Broker managed to find cover with Lloyds of London. Although at a cost of L1050.

While the Insurance for Ambulances has also doubled. Our Local Authorities are very short of cash, and at present have a policy of only supporting new organisations.

Thus my Board of Trustees must seriously decide if they can continue to provide this sort of service.

Training has gone well this year, 12 Cadets having passed the Red Cross First Aid Exam, 8 obtained their VHF Operators Licence.

While from the RYA Seamanship side there has been a steady progress for Level 1, 2 and Rescue Boat Coxswain. This is due to the hard work of Neil Crouch (First Aid) Nail Macdonald and Tony Lascelles (RYA Instructors) I also welcome Mike and Mark, Landrover Experts who will be teaching cross country driving.

Giving me the "Old Man the chance to take a respite". As I no longer bounce so well and bruises take longer to heal, administration and maintenance still keeps me busy. Although with the new leaders I feel confident the Venturers will continue after I retire.

On the Sea Rescue Side we have been more than busy with over 50 Rescues. A American yachtsman whose Nose hit the side of a barge during a collision, which also snapped the Yachts mast.

Was taken off by our rescue boat, and transferred in our Ambulance to hospital. The Yacht itself being towed back to its home port.

Working in conjunction with the RNLI Bravo Class Inflatable, 6 persons were taken ashore after a Yacht on the Bramble Bank broke its keel and sank. Another yacht had an unexpected catch when its anchor brought up a high tension power cable from the mainland to the IOW.

Apart from the danger of electrocution it was stranded with the entire fleet from the America Cup Round the Island Race bearing down under Spinnaker from the Needles.

The danger being they had limited visibility and would have expected the yacht to move out of their way. Unable to free the anchor flute from the cable one of our crew undid the shackle.

Having first informed the Coast Guard of the GPS Position in case the cable was damaged. In nick of time the Yacht and Venturers boat proceeded smartly out of collision danger.

The Venturers provided safety cover for the Annual Round the Island Race which has several thousand yachts and sail boats taking part.

The Venturers took over the tow from the Yarmouth RNLI of a trimaran called "Piranha" enabling the Lifeboat to go to a person reported overboard.

They also towed in several other craft, and transferred a man overboard back to his yacht.

Although we nearly did not make this important duty, as when we went to collect our rescue boat from its up river mooring, thieves had sawn off the padlock and stolen flares, tools, anchors and other vital equipment.

It was a rush to try and find replacements as the boat could not go on service without them.

Although people keep saying that teenagers should not be allowed to take part in Rescue.

Our small RIB Inflatable was out on a training Patrol with 2 thirteen year olds and a Instructor, when they came across a 30ft Yacht which had lost its rudder in confused seas.

With our main Rescue craft already towing in a dismasted Yacht, and all other Rescue services engaged. There was no option but to try and get the Yacht and crew to a safe haven.

The boys training enabled them to get side tow lines in the correct place, and the skipper was amazed when the Yacht was neatly berthed between two other Yachts in a gap just about the length of the Yacht.

Although many of the boat owners we rescued promised to send a donation to our HQ; very few actually kept their promise.

Perhaps they were embarrassed by being rescued by teenagers or are just forgetful.

However the Mission of the Venturers is not so much a pure Rescue Service; but to show if you give teenagers, equipment, opportunity and trust, they can provide a "professional service for the adult world".

That each rescue is more the opportunity to put training to test, as each incident is a test of seamanship, initiative and sometimes courage.

Apart from providing safety cover for sailing events, they also provided similar cover for Honda Cowes Classic Power Boat Racing and the Offshore Cowes Torquay. With a letter of thanks from both safety officers, that helping others is the "Practical Christianity of the Good Samaritan".

Last week during our Annual RYA Inspection, that continued recognition as a RYA Teaching Establishment could depend on having a dedicated RYA Training Boat.

This will require a second boat, and I am not sure how we will raise the sort of money required. As it will have to be built to full Marine Coast Guard Agency and both E.U. and Health and Safety Regulations.

The National Lottery turned down a recent application on the grounds we were too small a organisation, and just did not appreciate that we help thousands.

That many of these events could not take place without our safety cover.

Our main hope is private individuals and charitable trusts, who are not involved in the political dogma of the Lottery. Who seem more interested in how many ethnic, drugs addicts, minority groups and other in trouble with authorities rather than the merits of the project itself.

Perhaps an item in the Daily Mail "L15 M activities scheme to lure louts from crime", says it all. Some of our boys may come from the poorer Estates, and even have difficult home circumstances but they have both the spirit and character not to get involved in crime.

Although we might get more financial support if they did.

I finish this letter with two happy Items. Ten of our under 16 year old cadets won the National Group Children of Achievement Awards which were presented in London by the former Prime Minister The Rt. Hon John Major.

The second, we were left a Substantial Legacy, which before the RYA comments about the need for a second boat; was used to invest in property which was then leased to the District Housing Association to House Homeless Families.

The rents and properties will keep up with inflation, and will for the first time guarantee, The Venturers a basic Survival Income.

If you agree we have initially done the right thing, then a donations towards the new RYA Training Boat would be very welcome.

Yours sincerely,

Captain P. G. Pearce-Smith MBE VSC
Hon Executive Officer