Annual Report 2005

This page was updated on: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Further good news about the young Venturer; whose RYA level 1, 2, Safety Boat and Intermediate and Advanced Power Boat qualifications, gained him a job with a Launch Operator in the Solent (see last years Annual Report).

On the advice of the Company's MD, he went back to 6th Form College to take further A Levels, which has gained him a Scholarship to do Officer Training at Dartmouth for the R.N. or Royal Fleet Auxiliary. A second ex venturer is now employed with the same company as a skipper.

We now have 30 boys and girls under RYA Training, four passed Level 2, six passed Level 1 and one Intermediate Power Craft. This is often the result of several years hard work and dedication, which includes classroom work during the winter months.

The photo on the front cover shows Aimee our first female Rescue Coxswain with her all girl crew. Working closely with the Coast Guard, the Venturers recorded 29 rescue's, these include transporting seven children from a broken Rib to the safety of Yarmouth Harbour; a trimaran which capsized in the main shipping lane; recovering several yachts aground in various parts of the Solent; a C.P.14 with two adults and two children who were grateful of a tow to Calshot; escorting a Sun Seeker power boat which lost one engine and was not certain that the remaining engine would get them to a safe haven; several wind surfers off Lepe Beach with various injuries or simply caught by offshore wind and tides.

We provided an escort for the S.S. Shield Hall, consigning the ashes to the deep. Assistance was given to the Coast Guard in locating yachts whose transmitters were jamming the Emergency Channel; we also found and towed large bulks' of timber, which were a danger to navigation. All of these rescues gave opportunity for our young crews to put into practice their training, as each incident is a test of seamanship, initiative and courage.

On the First Aid side, we dealt with 14 incidents, one of which was myself, I slipped off the jetty at Calshot badly bruising my shoulder and leg, (aged 71, I do not bounce so well and injuries take longer to heal). Several swimmers at Lepe Beach suffered cuts to their legs from the old wartime defences, where concrete posts had dissolved leaving sharp metal spikes just above beach level.

The most serious incident, was of a lady who fell over a ledge on the beach pathway, and was unconscious when found, there appeared to be a possible heart problem, the Venturers who found her provided basic first aid until the Ambulance arrived. It is comforting to know we had oxygen and a Heart Start Defibrillator available, with all Cadets and adults trained in its use. The Defibrillators were kindly donated by Exxon-Mobil.

During bad weather we had patrols out on the forest roads, removing wind blown trees which could cause serious accidents if left across roads during the night. We even recovered a car which decided to take to the forest after aquaplaning on a sharp bend.

In return for the Fire Fighting training given to us by the MOD Fire Service, we were pleased to lay on a RYA Level 2 Power Boat course, when they had a launch for Oil Pollution and Fire Fighting in the Military Docks.

We had two girls and two boys represent the Venturers at the Civic Service at Winchester Cathedral, they made short work of the food provided at the reception after the service.

On the Adventure side we have a private sponsor for expeditions abroad.

This year we had an invitation to the American Landrover Club's rally at Leadville, Colorado. We had our Landrover shipped over on a roll ferry from Southampton.

At 14,000 ft above sea level, I had a bit of trouble with my heart. We attracted interest and praise as we lowered our flag at sunset, whilst playing 'Last Post', but there was less enthusiasm for 'Reveille' early in the morning!

The educational part of the expedition was meeting the Fire Service, Coast Guard, Police and Forest Ranger, and learning about their problems and ways of operating.

We attended a Baptist Church, where fried chicken and coffee before the start and lunch after made it seem more like a family get together than a church service.

We visited a Mormon Tabernacle in St. George Utah, where we were told the history of the Mormons, and we gave our own little Sermon from the Pulpit used by Brigham Young.

We also attended Evening Hymn's in a Methodist Church, unfortunately we were unable to attend a Catholic service, as it was on the Sunday morning after we arrived.

We were in a remote part of Death Valley doing some Search and Rescue training, when we came across a man whose VW Caravanette had become bogged down in a salt marsh. He had been sitting by the trail under a blue tarp for seven days.

With the remainder of his water gone and temperatures up to 130F, he probably would not have survived the remainder of the day. He jumped out onto the track when he heard us coming, and was crying hysterically, we were initially concerned he may have been a begger or mugger, but decided as a rescue service to stop.

We rendered first aid including giving him a drink called 'Gator Aid', which is similar to 'Red Bull' then drove him 90 miles to the nearest Ranger Station.

There was a sad ending to this rescue as 4 days later he got a lift back to his vehicle by a friend, only to find it had a flat battery and two flat tyres. A later further attempt to recover his vehicle came to a halt as the trail was made unpassable for vehicles due to a flash flood, he opted to try and walk the remaining 30 miles with his battery and other equipment, and was found dead several days later by a helicopter search party.

On the financial side, the Venturers are facing new problems, insurance has gone up yet again and marine diesel has doubled in price. Although we do not grudge it; the Tsunami Appeals over Christmas reduced the number of donations from private people and charitable trusts.

The big National Appeals like Children in Need and Red Nose also soak up most of the local charitable purse, applications to them for a possible grant have not even raised a reply. As regard the Lotteries, we are not deemed politically correct as being in a rural area we do not meet "Their Target Group".

Charities such as The Prince's Trust, who have offered grants in the local paper to young people helping the community, exclude organised groups and charities. Other sources of funding seem to be more to talk shop, or your members have to be in trouble with the authorities.

Publicity wise, the BBC made a very good film about our work, and one man was so impressed, he sent us a cheque for £1000. We also had a full feature article in two boating magazines, so somebody must think our teenagers dedication to helping the adult world has merit.

Although we have an operational Memorandum with the Police to provide Search and Rescue in the Forest, other more recent Land Rescue Groups do not want to work with us, and refused our application to join their Association of Lowland Search and Rescue Units, on the grounds they only allow one unit for each area.

This is a great shame as it puts lives at risk, if groups do not co-ordinate and train together. We also have assets such as our Volvo 4x4 Ambulance and our shallow water jet rescue boat that can reach shorelines not accessible by land.

Yours Very Sincerely

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