Annual Report 2004

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

Previous Annual Reports have been about Rescue of People and Animals by the Venturers. So this year I thought it might be a good idea to look at what effect the training and service had and how it benefited our teenagers in adult life.

The most recent example was a boy from a local Council Estate, who joined at 12 and by dedication over the years progressed from RYA level 1 and 2 to Rescue Boat Coxswain.

He passed the VHP Marine Operators Radio License, and was a qualified First Aider. Just left school at 17, and with no real job prospects to hand.

I recognized his enthusiasm for a life at sea; but due to the decline of the Merchant Navy there was little prospect in that direction.

I wrote to the Managing Director of a well known and very old Company who operated Tugs, Launches and other craft in the Solent , quoting his RYA qualifications, although the Company had not advertised any vacancies.

The boy attended an interview with the M.D. who was so impressed with his nautical knowledge and enthusiasm for the sea. Deciding he was too good to miss, he now is employed as an apprentice who may one day be the Skipper of a Tug or Launch.

A recent E-mail from another ex-Venturer:

"Dear Tiffy (My Nick Name) I would like to thank you for the many skills I have learnt from the time I had spent with the Venturers, thanks to the adult environment it has given me the confidence and courage to join the Royal Air Force Fire Fighters.

Another 18 year old who had qualified RYA Level 12, Rescue Boat Coxswain, and RYA Power Boat Instructor joined the Army; but was placed by the recruiting Sgt in the Armoured Corp. His heart was also in the sea, and I suspect would not have stayed very long in the Army.

Attention to his qualifications was drawn to the C.O. of the Royal Logistics Corp, who operate the Armies Sea Transport, and a transfer was arranged.

I was delighted to hear that his RYA Instructors qualifications were used to give 2 Lt Colonels who were leaving the services, a RYA Powerboat course and license.

From my records, I note that one Venturer is now a R.N.L.I. Lifeboat Coxswain. Another is a Deputy County Fire Officer. Another was awarded a B.E.M. for services in Belize.

Employers often regard a reference of service with the Venturers has indication of worth. One boy, who applied for an apprenticeship with a boat building company with four other applicants with higher educational qualifications, gained the place due to his service with the Venturers and RYA Certificates.

Another against competition was awarded an apprenticeship with Southern Electricity, and has done very well with lifetime employment.

You may remember we have a sponsor who finances overseas expeditions abroad, and I was very impressed with a thank you letter from a 13 year old who took part in an expedition to explore the Mojava Road , which was the old wagon route from East to West, until a route was blasted through the Mountains:

"Dear Tiff," I am writing to thank you for taking me to America.

I feel I have benefited in many ways. Personal confidence in all aspects and situations. A more mature attitude towards other people and their difference. Independence and survival skills and much more.

I have learned a lot about the real America different from what the Media portrays.

It changed my mind about a lot of things. The reaction at school has been interesting as they found it hard to accept that I have my own opinions and can successfully do things in my own way. Thank you for a great opportunity.

At the same time comments from Americans, like the Mayor of Moab, "They are Ambassadors of British Youth

The Chief of Police in a fast food breakfast bar, who told the waitress he was so impressed with their smartness and good behavior that he paid for their meal.

An e-mail from the Chief of The Moapa Tribe who we met on a reservation, "the cadets were commented as being a team of people that represented themselves as a group to invite back to invite back to the Reservation.

He also apparently wrote to Prime Minister Tony Blair, and received a reply. Although, we heard nothing from that direction.

RYA Training has progressed with winter class work and practical from April onwards. It is expected that all our junior Cadets will have gained their Level 1, which, in fact, is very much more than the actual requirements, and includes our own "Tender Coxswain".

We expect a years experience for 1 and a second year for Level 2.

Seventeen attended a comprehensive First Aid Course, and had a 100% pass rate. We had an interesting Fire and Rescue course with the Military Fire Service at Marchwood Port, which included Breathing Apparatus, Casualty evacuation from a smoke filled mock engine room, hose drill, and an invitation to attend further training sessions.

We have an excellent working relationship with the Coastguard, and have been training with the C.G. Helicopter. Two Exercises with the Yarmouth Lifeboat also.

So far this year, we have carried out about 54 Sea Rescues, which has included 12 people from a swamped RIB in rough weather and up to their knees in water.

A delightful card from 6 sailors taken back to Cowes after their yacht capsized and sank. "We went overboard; but you were there", and enclosed a cheque for L 200.

Another wrote "It was quite frightening being stranded in the Solent with no engine".

Another letter stated my crew and myself are deeply indebted to the patient and professional manner of your assistance after we lost steering after hitting a rock, and apologies for the dreadful cup of tea we forced on you.

We have also been nominated for the Vodafone Life Saver of the Year. In respect of the 8 lives we saved in one afternoon last year, and detailed in our 2003 report.

I was also pleased when 12 year old Matt Dann was awarded a Community Service award run by Hythe and Dibden Parish Council. He was the boy on our recent entry into the Swedish Landrover Safari to the Land of The Midnight Sun.

Staying at a Campsite where any facility required a payment of 5 Krona even for washing up hot water. He discovered a free hot water tap for shaving in the shower room. Sent to wash up 4 plates, he went to the free tap in the shower.

There was a sudden silence as he came in with the kettle and cold eyes followed him as he filled it. On the way out he held up the kettle and shouted "I am British" at which the entire room roared applause.

We have also been nominated for The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service; but I think we are too small an organisation to qualify.

We were again very pleased to be invited to the Annual County Service at Winchester Cathedral, and to The Beaulieu Abbey 800th Anniversary of the Abbey Foundation. We had a smart turn out for the Remembrance Day Parade

Financially we have two problems; one is the Stately Home Syndrome of a leaking roof in our training HQ, and with water running down from the electric lights.

It is not safe to use.

The second more serious are the engines on our 12 Metre Training/Rescue Ribs. Knight Errant Venturers -"We had 3 replacement engines during the warranty period, and one having a major repair out of warranty".

With this lack of confidence we no longer risk longer navigational training offshore. We have been offered a very good priced replacement pair by Iveco, and Marlin Marine Southampton have offered to fit them free of charge.

However L 3000 for the roof and L 16000 for the engines is outside our financial resources. We may have to consider disposing of the Boat, which we only initially managed to purchase due to a Legacy.

The point of this Annual Report is to show that given the training, equipment, opportunity and trust, teenagers can provide a valuable service to the adult world, developing their character and leadership, qualities which will benefit them for the rest of their lives and not out to hold a begging bowl.

However, any financial assistance or commercial sponsorship no matter how small would be appreciated as 100 pence equals a L 1, and if given from many sources can build up to the total required.

Yours Very Sincerely

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

P.S. Visit our improved website www.venturer-search-and-rescue.org.uk built free by John and Jaki at TLC-Online you can contact them on Southampton 023 8024 3044 or E-mail them on webteam@tlc-online.co.uk