Annual Report 2003

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

The majority of rescues in the Solent are more in the nature of AA type assistance, in the form of a courtesy tow to a safe haven, or a pull off a sandbank or rocks. These endeavours put our training to a practical purpose, as each is a test of seamanship, initiative and sometimes Courage.

The latter being illustrated one Sunday afternoon where 8 lives may have been saved by our teenage Venturers. Our 12 meter RIB "Knight Errant Venturer" on routine patrol off Cowes, when they noticed a man waving from a motor cruiser.

On coming alongside the man stated his engine room was on fire. We quickly evacuated two children age 4 and 6, a woman and the two men.

Our adult instructor's happened to be Ex Fire Service, and on investigation of the engine room, found DIY board placed to close to the exhaust manifold. It had caught fire, and to make matters worse there was a two gallon plastic can full of petrol.

The fire had reached the stage of explosive smoke which a few minutes later combined with the petrol would have cause the boat to explode in a ball of flame.

The skipper had a out of date fire extinguisher, and a hand portable radio with a flat battery.

Our fire fighting equipment quickly doused the fire, and the family were taken back to Cowes.

Later in the afternoon they came across a Fletcher Speedboat with a child and two adults which had broken down and was drifting into the heavy over falls of Hurst Race.

The very large outboard engine weighed down the stern, and waves were lapping over the transom.

There is no doubt it would have sunk but for our assistance.

The afternoon was not yet finished a 30 yacht called "Reckless Rat" was dismasted after a collision, and towed back to the Hamble river. It was a tired but buoyant crew who returned to base, having put their RYA Training to a practical use, and the feeling of perhaps having saved lives.

In another incident our watch leader spotted 4 youths on a sandbank in the Beaulieu River, cut off by a rising tide, they were trying to swim ashore; but hampered by a strong current.

Two thirteen year olds in the Beach Rescue Tender "Colin Goodchild" quickly picked up the two younger ones, while the two older ones; probably embarrassed refused help; but then accepted help from an adult rescue boat summoned by the Coastguard.

Of the 52 rescue incidents recorded in this years log. A kite surfer in danger of being run down in the main shipping channel, which was a bit intense with a huge car carrier bearing down.

A newly qualified 16 year level 2 Coxswain had a nervous experience towing a 7 meter Rib with engine failure across the main shipping channel to its berth in the River Hamble. During which time he kept radio contact with Southampton Harbour Authorities, and Hamble Harbour Master.

A 50' Yacht "Dream Catcher" from the USA was in difficulties when it fouled its anchor on the gas and high voltage pipelines running across the Solent. On the advice of our Coxswain, he cut his chain and buoyed the anchor for later recovery by a diver.

We hope the two young men who set out in a speedboat, which they thought they had made DIY seaworthy for a spot of fishing in quite cold choppy weather, will have learned a lesson. One dressed in a leather jacket, and the other a T Shirt.

The boat was found drifting with engine failure.

The throttle and gear control had torn away and was lying in the bottom of the boat, the gear cables had not even been connected to it.

The seat had broken away.

They had no lifejackets or flares. The photograph on the back cover shows it being towed to safety.

The other photograph shows our new 9 meter Ocean Dynamic Rescue Rib "Steadfast Venturer" providing safety cover for the Annual Round The Island Race. We were very pleased when the Island Sailing Club presented us with a tankard to commemorate our service.

This year we have increased our excellent relationship with the Coastguard, and had two training exercises with their Helicopter.

We have also gained three more adult instructors, one is a St. John trained Medic, one a retired RNLI crew, and Yacht and Tug Master, while the third is a Aux. Coastguard.

I also have a very senior qualified RYA Instructor who I hope will replace me when I retire. Thus ensuring the long time future of the Venturers.

Now age 70, I do not bounce so well as I found on a 10 day navigational training exercise to the Channel Islands and French Fishing Ports. Coming back in a N.E. 5-6.

The RIB came off the back of a wave and fell into a "Black Hole", I went up as the boat went down, and then met in the middle.

The damage to my back, ankles and legs took over a painful month to heal.

Apart from that the voyage went very well, and in spite of mist and fog.

The young crew were successful in accurate navigation to the various Ports of Call, and had the task of getting the boat back to the UK without the use of electronic navigation aids or help from myself.

On land we continue to provide search and rescue for the Police, although no calls this year. We also provide First Aid and Ambulance cover for field and sporting events such as Schools cross country runs.

None of which could for insurance purposes take place without such safety cover.

A letter from Hampshire Schools Athletic Association praised our superb First Aid cover, and stated they would genuinely not know what to do without our support.

We do have a problem here in that our Ambulance although well maintained in our own workshops is 25 year old, and parts are becoming impossible to obtain.

Sport England Lottery did not support a bid for a new Ambulance, in the same way they turned down our application for Training Rescue RIB.

They just do not seem to understand that the provision of safety equipment, is just as important as grandiose sports buildings.

In this direction our thanks to the Charitable Trusts who are not concerned "If we meet their target group" and whose generous donations enabled us to build a new Rib "Steadfast Venturer" as shown on the front page.

On a further bright side Hampshire County Council gave us L1000 towards new safety helmets, and Esso/Exxon L2000 for a new beach rescue launching tractor.

Five boys and two girls represented us at a service for voluntary organisations at Winchester Cathedral, and, were the only young people present; they also made short work of the buffet laid on in the Great Hall. We had a full turnout for the Remembrance Day Parade.

Our thanks to John and Jaki of TLC-Online.co.uk. who has revamped our www. venturers search-and-rescue.org.uk, free of charge, also to the Charitable Trusts who gave so generously.

We also welcome Edward Sage Fort O.B.E.,

Founder of Fort Vale Engineering as a Patron. As a Yachtsman and Engineer he will be able to give valuable advice.

Yours Very Sincerely

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