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

Venturers and Coastguard in Helicopter Exercise

An exercise with the Coastguard helicopter had proved an example of the co-operation between the Venturers Search and Rescue organisation and the Coastguard, said the Lepe-based charity's chief executive officer, Phillip Pearce-Smith.

As some of the Venturers were under 17, it was not possible for them to be a "declared facility," like a lifeboat, on whose assistance the Coastguard could call.

However, under Solas 5 regulations, any craft was required to offer assistance to a vessel needing it, and the Venturers could volunteer that assistance.

Mr Pearce-Smith said the usefulness of the exercise could be illustrated in a situation such as Cowes Week, when there might be a casualty amongst a large fleet of closely packed yachts.

"Our large 12 metre RIB has an excellent pick-up point on the rear engine hatch, and we could take a casualty off a yacht and then to a clear area for transfer to the helicopter."

The value of the Venturers was the fact that they carried out active patrols, and came across incidents. Last year they had carried out over 50 operations, although most were in the nature of an AA type tow to a safe haven.

ellent example of co-operation between the Venturers' young crew and the RNLI.