1

National Coastwatch Institution - Torbay Station

WATCH

EDITORS Notes

First of all may I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous

New Year. Once again many thanks to all the watch keepers who

contributed to October’s newsletter. In particular I would like to thank

Andy Milner on his excellent article on Torbay tides. Please keep the

articles coming.

It was with great sorrow that we saw the passing away of Graham Parsons

– he will be greatly missed. See following article “Sailors farewell”

by Alandra.

Editor

January 2017

www.torbaynci.org.uk

2

Sailor’s Farewell

At eleven o’clock on Friday 30

th September 2016 eighteen uniformed

members of the NCI, including the President Jon Gifford, and four

STATION NEWS

Welcome to our New Members under training

Keith Hollings, Eric Amplett, Roger Lean, John Davis, Mike Mayer, Paul Galley

Newly Qualified Watchkeepers

Don Hands

New Trainers

Grant Grafton and Bob Horne will be joining the training team shortly

Congratulations to

Brian Pinnegar on becoming a senior watch keeper

Thanks to:

Les Mainstone for taking over the ROTA officer role – your doing a super job

3

Friends of Torbay NCI attended the celebration of the life of our

colleague Graham Parsons at the Preston Baptist Church. The weather

held in glorious sunshine with a slight breeze.

Uniformed members formed a guard of honour on the steps to the church

to welcome Graham’s family, the Brixham Gospel Choir, colleagues

from the medical practice where Trish Parsons works, other family

friends. John Saunders, the new ceremonial office processed the Station’s

standard in front of Graham’s coffin to the alter.

During the well attended service the gospel choir sang Kum By Ya and

Swing Low Sweet Chariot. The eulogy was given in two parts by Adrian

Cunningham, firstly describing Graham’s history, his meeting and

courtship of Trish, his navy service and the arrival of his two sons.

We all sang the sailor’s hymn, For Those in Peril on the Sea, before

Adrian continued with an account of Graham’s service in the NCI and his

fundraising antics with the general public. This produced much laughter,

recognition and appreciation.

The Vicar then recounted his interactions with Graham, Trish and the

family before Trish read out a letter she had written to Graham explaining

what he meant to her.

Uniform members reformed the guard of honour as John Saunders

returned to the head of the procession to lead out Graham’s coffin whilst

a flutist played “Love Song” which was Graham and Trish’s tune.

A retiring collection in aid of Rowcroft was placed at the back of the

church. Before going to the crematorium tea, coffee and biscuits were

served in the church. Following the crematorium service a reception was

held at the Boathouse in Preston.

Those in attendance from Torbay NCI were:

Jon Gifford, President, Merlin Allen, Martin Crapper, Chris Cattell,

Adrian Cunningham, Teresa Edwards, Alandra Elendill, Mike Hawley,

Jim Helley, Bob Horne, Les Mainstone, Andy Milner, Gary Mundy,

David Price, Brian Pinnegar, Anne Rickwood, John Saunders and Chris

White.

4

From friends of Torbay NCI were:

Helen Cattell, Rosemary Clayton, Elaine Cunningham and Jean

Holloway.

Graham leading the troops in his inimitable stile

Many thanks to Alandra Elendill for this contribution

National Coastwatch History

NCI National’s original slant on our organisation

Each Station is manned by a team of fully trained and dedicated

volunteers who keep a daylight watch up to 365 days a year. Stations are

equipped with telescopes, radar, telephone and weather instrumentation

as well as up to date charts. Close contact with the Maritime Coastguard

Agency (MCA) aims to promote stations to Declared Facility Status in

order to become an integral part of the National Search and Rescue

Structure.

Watchkeepers come from all walks of life and offer a wide range of skills

and experience. Full training ensures that volunteers reach the high

standard expected by the NCI and MCA. Regular assessments take place

at all stations and retraining programmes are held to maintain standards

and keep watchkeepers up to date with the latest legislation or improved

operational procedures.

5

Watchkeepers are the eyes and ears along the coast, keeping a visual

watch, monitoring radio channels, using radar and providing a listening

Watchkeepers are the eyes and ears along the coast, keeping a visual

watch in poor visibility monitoring radio channels, using radar and

providing a listening visibility. They remain vigilant at all times.

Surveillance work is mainly routine but watchkeepers are trained to act in

an emergency, report to the MCA and, if required, co-ordinate with the

search and rescue service. A log of all water-based activities is kept

during each watch and, when requested, weather conditions can be passed

to yachtsmen and fishermen before they put to sea. Also with the new

generation of web cams we can identify sea conditions for those who

wish to check on the weather or sea state prior to doing any water sport

activity, hopefully reducing the need for MCA response and RNLI call-

outs. During each watch other activities such as canoeing and diving etc

are closely observed, as are bathers, walkers and climbers who use our

shoreline.

Watchkeepers provide a vital link with all the emergency services and

can provide an emergency contact point on land for both sea and shore

users.

Instructions to get by in life:

Demand excellence and be prepared to pay.

Forget the Jones.

Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.

Give yourself an hour to cool off before responding to someone

who has provoked you. If it involves something really

important, give yourself overnight. I think the Torbay

committee has learnt this lesson over the last few months. The

editor especially.

6

Recommended Holidays Abroad

By Editor:

I regularly spend my holidays abroad in sunny Mallorca. I used to own an

apartment in Port Andratx on the south west tip of the island. I sold it 3

years ago. However we still have contact with the new owners and still

manage to spend wonderful holidays out there.

Port d’Andratx is exclusive yet hospitable. Until late into 20th

century this

port with its view of Sa Dragonera and, on a clear day, even a glimpse

of distant Ibiza, was a trading centre where no-one lived willingly. There

is no trace of this anymore. The port is now a thriving fishing port.

There are no hotdog or trinket stalls and the little port has adjusted

discreetly and tastefully to the needs of its new residents A large marina

offers sanctuary to floating dreams. The one time ugly duckling floats on

the water like a proud swan. The port is now not only the jewel in the

crown of Mallorca but one of the jewels in the whole of the MED.

Sounds pretty good – if you ever have the chance try and make it to the

beautiful Port d’Andratx

I normally spend some of my time out in Port d’Andratx trying to

produce water colour masterpieces - fat chance. The watercolour above

depicts the fishermen mending their nets in the port. Once again I

7

located myself adjacent to a bar, sipping wine while soaking up the sun

and chatting to the tourists. What a way to spending a couple of hours.

My favourite hotel in Port d’Andratx is the Villa Italia. They do a super

Sunday lunch for 25 euros. However it is a bit up market but well worth a

visit.

View over the bay from the Villa Italia . My old apartment is to the right

across the bay

The bedrooms are also pretty good.

Web Site: villaitalia.com --- ask for Alfonso and mention my name !!!

8

Operational Matters

The below article if fairly long. However with the advent of people

trafficking, increased smuggling and the threat of terrorism I regard

the below article as essential reading for watch keepers. Editor

REPORTING OF UNUSUAL OR SUSPICIOUS COASTAL ACTIVITY

1. Background

There is a perceived increased threat from serious and organised crime including

likely exploitation of routes by migrants/people traffickers from mainland Europe.

HMCG has been working with other Government Departments, including UKBF, to

streamline the reporting of Unusual or Suspicious Coastal Activity by organisations

such as NCI. The reporting system will ensure that any information or intelligence

will quickly be passed to the multi-agency National Maritime Information Centre

(NMIC)where it will be assessed and acted upon as appropriate. NCI has been

working closely with HMCG and UKBF to develop this streamlined and simplified

reporting process. This protocol closely mirrors their own procedures and the

indicators of suspicious or unusual activity are taken verbatim from their document.

2. Reporting Protocol

There will now be a single reporting route for all incidents, whether SOLAS or

suspicious activity. It has been agreed by HMCG, UKBF and the other relevant

agencies that any Unusual or Suspicious Coastal Activity (see examples in para 4)

observed by a NCI Station should be reported to HM Coastguard using the issued

telephone numbers defined by the Operational Zones. In other words stations should

report to their normal CG Operations Centre using their normal telephone number in

the same way as they would report a potential maritime safety incident.

In due course new telephone numbers will be issued by HMCG for all stations which

will automatically identify the calling station. The issue of these numbers has been

delayed so for the time being the existing, so called ‘legacy’ numbers should continue

in use.

This change in reporting protocol removes the need for duty watchkeepers to make a

definitive decision on whether they are observing a SOLAS incident or suspicious

activity. The CG Operations Centre will ensure the information is passed to NMIC

for assessment and action. This means there is now no requirement to report any

information directly to UKBF, Project Kraken or Crime stoppers. This change will

take effect immediately. See flowchart at Annex B. (In the unlikely event that the CG

operating route is not available, the Project Kraken number may be used as a backup.

Project Kraken is currently undergoing a re-launch led jointly by Border Force,

National Crime Agency and Police.)

9

3. Recording Suspicious Incidents

A record of any unusual or suspicious activity should be entered in the log, including

the fact that it was reported to HMCG. An incident report should also be raised

summarising what was observed, the fact that it was reported to HMCG and any

further contact from HMCG or other agency. Watchkeepers should report on behalf

of the station and there is no requirement for them to give their name, nor will HMCG

ask for it.

4. Indicators of Suspicious Coastal Activity

Watchkeepers should use their experience, local knowledge and judgement to identify

anything which arouses their suspicion and should not hesitate to report it, however

minor it might seem. It could be the final small piece of a jigsaw which enables the

authorities to take action on a known threat. Equally it could be the first indicator of

an important, hitherto unknown threat. NCI watchkeepers will never be criticised for

using their judgement to report something which arouses their suspicion. HMCG and

UKBF attach great value to the local knowledge and expertise of NCI watchkeepers

and their ability to spot something which ‘looks wrong’. The following indicators are

examples only and should not be regarded as an exhaustive list.

1. Migrant Indicators . Indicators that can be considered suspicious and should

be reported are as follows (but not limited to);

• Slow moving RIB (indication that it may be in trouble or overloaded).

• Boats with above average number of crew for that size of vessel.

• Single or small crew (four or less most likely, one or more of whom may

appear as an inexperienced sailor).

• Any observations of mismatched data (AIS vs. Visual observations etc. ;

Crew v Nationality).

• Any activity which is considered to be outside the normal pattern of

maritime activity in the area.

• Unusual boat movements late at night or early in the morning.

• RIBS or small craft being loaded / unloaded with people at unusual

times or unusual locations in harbours/marinas.

• People not knowing about boat handling, with inappropriate dress for

sailing or enquiring about hiring boats.

• Persons apparently fishing but with no line or equipment

• Unusual increased persons or activity on a beach.

10

2. Crime – in harbour;

• Unusual boat movements late at night or early in the morning.

• RIBS or small craft being loaded / unloaded with packages or people

at unusual times or locations.

• Strangers acting suspiciously within the marina and packages being

transferred to waiting vehicles.

• People not knowing about boat handling, with inadequate dress for sailing or

enquiring about hiring boats.

• Boats with above average number of crew for the size of boat.

• Single or small crew (Four or less most likely, one or more of whom may

appear as an inexperienced sailor).

• Fuel / water containers on deck (Long voyage ahead and or potential

concealment in tanks).

3. General Crime – at sea

• Boats moving around at night time with no navigational lighting.

• Packages being transferred out at sea from larger boats (co-operating).

• Boats with extra fuel tanks, water tanks or an abnormal waterline.

• Boats with above average number of crew for the size of boat.

• Single or small crew (Four or less most likely, one or more of whom may appear

as an inexperienced sailor).

• Marks on side of vessel, damage to hull, fenders out at sea, dismasted, rescued,

distress, towing (potential coopering?).

• The position and identification of any Foreign Warships.

• Any sightings of possible submarine periscopes, antennae of other indications

that suggest the presence of a submarine.

• The position and identification of any foreign merchant vessels that appear to

have a military or intelligence gathering role (i.e. large amounts of antennae or

unusual movements in the vicinity of sensitive areas).

• The position of any vessel that has been identified as a Vessel of Interest (VOI)

and notified as such to NCI.

11

• Any indication to suggest that WMD or Nuclear Material is being transported by

maritime means.

• Any indication to suggest there is a terrorist threat to any Offshore, or Near Shore

Maritime Infrastructure.

• Any observations of mismatched data (AIS vs. Visual observations etc.; Crew v

nationality).

• Any activity to suggest piracy or other criminal events.

• Any activity which is considered to be outside the normal pattern of maritime

activity in the vicinity of MOD establishments or bases.

• Any indication of vessels/people interfering with national infrastructure.

Contact procedures :

If urgent Call 999 and ask for Solent Coastguard Non urgent calls call Solent Coastguard on 02392552100

Back up use Falmouth Coastguard on 01326317575

Protocol Flow chart Suspicious activity identified by NCI

Full details reported by phone or

E mail to HM Coastguard

In emergency phone 999

Non SOLAS – Full entry to

be made within incident type

Maritime Security (Other)

If SOLAS – HMCG to

oversee the operational

response under normal

processes.

Incident concluded

NMOC or CGOC to inform

the NMIC immediately of

the incident or the relevant

Law Enforcement Agency/

(outside of office hours,

normal Border force or

Police numbers)

NMIC to contact the NCI

informant with an update

(where applicable0

12

Further to previous articles on Search and Rescue -- in this edition we

will take a look at the cliff rescue teams. Editor

DARTMOOR RESCUE GROUP (Cliff Rescue)

The Dartmoor Rescue Group was started in 1968 in the Tavistock area when a small

group of local moorland enthusiasts started helping the police with search search and

rescue on Dartmoor.

In due course a recognised official rescue team was formed which became affiliated

to the Mountain Rescue Council. Currently the Group consists of four Search and

Rescue Teams (SART) based in Ashburton, Okehampton, Tavistock and Plymouth.

Each team is a separate charity and is capable of functioning independently.

However the teams frequently operate together and so each team is part of the

Dartmoor Rescue Group which is a separate charity and which co-ordinates common

training, equipment and communications issues and is the main contact point for

outside organisations.

Each team will tend to work in its own geographical area but may need to work

anywhere on Dartmoor to support other Dartmoor Search and Rescue teams.

Depending on the number of people who require rescuing or the area to be searched, a

callout may consist of one, two or three teams and usually at least one team is kept as

a back up in case of an extended operation. DRG teams provide a search and rescue

service in the rest of Devon and Cornwall and may be used to support the Cornwall

and the Exmoor Search and Rescue teams.

Torbay NCI maybe called upon to operate with the Cliff Rescue Teams from time to

time. Communication is normally carried out on VHF Channel Zero. Sometimes the

cliff rescue teams will not have line of sight communication with the Coastguard but

could have with the tower. In this case the tower could be called upon to act as a relay

station for the cliff rescue team

13

Social Matters

Fundraising Update:

Sponsored walk

Watch keepers preparing for the walk – hip flasks to the fore

15 members and friends took part in our 1st sponsored walk from the

tower on Daddyhole Plain to Brixham. The weather was kind and much

fun was had by all. This was our 1st attempt at online crowd-funding,

which exceeded all expectations, with over £600 being raised.

14

Andy looking a bit jaded

Well what can you say about this intrepid collection of hikers!!! The

dog looks good.

15

Order of Woman’s Freemasons

On the 7th

November Anne-Marie met with 5 members of the Order of

Women Freemasons, Torbay Lodge No. 200, to thank them for their

recent donation of £300. This is the last of several generous donations, as

the lodge is now closing. Leading the group on the RHS of the photo

below, is Mrs Brenda Binmore, wife of Trainer Brian Binmore. Brenda

& her colleagues passed on valuable fund-raising ideas and experience.

We are hoping to put this money towards a new camera and improved

weather station, so that we can offer online facilities to local sailors, thru

a new website that is being developed.

16

Lead up to Christmas

In the lead up to our Christmas events, the following outlets have kindly

donated raffle prizes & they keep on coming. Good on ya Torbay shops !

Boots, Wren Park Torquay

Otter Nurseries, Torquay

Sainsburys, Paignton

The Salon Hairdressers, Wellswood, Torquay

Tesco Express Paignton

Bookers Paignton

Collecting pots team

Anne-Marie, with coast watchers Teresa Edwards, Gary Mundy & wife

of Treasurer, John Haslam, Mrs. Val Haslam have formed a team to

manage the NCI collecting pots. These act both as regular income teams

but also PR in retail outlets. It is becoming more difficult to find outlets

that operate principally in cash, as opposed to plastic. If anyone has any

good ideas where a cash pot may be usefully located, please contact

Anne-Marie.

Anne-Marie Russ.

Goodbye Adrian

Adrian Cunningham MBE, has finally decided to retire from active

uniformed service and PR Officer, yet he continues as a ‘Friend of

Torbay NCI’. We cannot see him withdraw to the backbench with due

recognition of his contribution over the last few years. Adrian attended

most fundraising events , engaged with the crowds and brought it much

needed funds.

Adrian gave many presentations on his eventful career in H&S or his

interest in ships, both to Torbay NCI and to other groups, for which we

benefited financially. Adrian carried out H&S assessments and been a

point of contact for the council and other agencies.

17

Adrian was a key member of the organsing team for the grand opening of

the Visitors Centre (2014) & the Jubilee Beacon Lighting (2012) events

on Daddyhole Plain, including the sole point of contact with the press.

Adrian arranged the entertainment, thru his contacts, for all our Christmas

parties and also hosted many presentations and Visitor Centre visits.

Adrian prepares for the Visitor Centre Opening in August 2014 by

inviting the press :

18

On the day Adrian helps to direct operations in his hi-vis jacket, later he

entertains VIPs.

.

Adrian will be a hard act to replace and we sincerely hope he will continue as a

‘Friend’ for many years. This testimonial wouldn’t be complete without

mentioning Elaine, Adrian’s dear wife and faithful Secretary to Friends for two

years. Elaine has been a devoted supporter, as well as an accomplished

craftswoman, with her beautiful needlework donated for sales on behalf of

Torbay NCI.

We all say a big thank you to Adrian & Elaine.

Thanks to Anne-Marie for this article on Adrian

The following is an article by our station manager Martin. I always

thought he wanted to be RAF aircrew. --- Editor

Biggles strikes again

19

Having served in the Fire & Rescue Service for 31 years I attended many

different courses, however one in particular stood out - it was called the

Civil Defence Course on Convoy Management. Albeit not sounding

particularly exciting, I was required to report to RAF Abington on the

Sunday evening, which I duly did. After being allocated a room in the

Officers Mess, I was unpacking when there was a knock at the door. On

opening the door a man stood before me in RAF uniform. He greeted me

and informed me on the timing of breakfast and that I should leave my

shoes outside my door. I questioned this and he said they would be

polished for me. I told him there was no need as I could clean my own

shoes, however he insisted as all officers do this, so I did. Next morning

after my ablutions and getting dressed I opened the door and there were

my shoes, like new. Breakfast was a feast, waited on, wow this was a

treat.

After breakfast we were taken to the University Flying School and

introduced to our trainers for the week. These guys were all Battle of

Britain Pilots and wore special insignia. The first thing they did was to

kit us out with a flying suit, helmet and gloves. This felt great and was

for me really cool!

After spending an hour learning about the weather including the

importance of cloud height, we were introduced to our flying machines

for the week - single engine Bulldogs. During our introduction we were

told that the Bulldogs were initially built as an acrobatic plane but failed

on the basis that if they entered into a flat spin, it was disastrous. The

instructor then pointed to an air investigation magazine and said you can

read about them in ‘those’! A degree of trepidation edged in on my

excitement.

The plane was red and white with the iridescent red white and blue

‘bullseye’. The canopy was pulled back and what struck me was the size,

it was quite small. The pilot, (please forgive me I have forgotten his

name) who was a real friendly guy, showed me how to do the external

checks, then he showed me how to get into the cockpit - in particular

where I could not put my size 9’s!

20

He went through a number of checks inside - flaps, rudder, pedals and

instruments and a radio check, requesting permission to move to the

runway.

All this only increased my adrenalin and broad grin. As soon as we

moved on to the runway he asked me to steer (if my memory is correct)

with my feet). Part way along he told me to pull off the runway where we

stopped and he did the final checks. Running the engine at quite high revs

and a few other instrument checks, the pilot got permission from the

tower to taxi to the take-off runway. Permission was given and this was

awesome and we had not even taken off. Again I steered the plane to the

start. When we got to the start position he told me that I was going to do

the ‘takeoff’!

Apprehension crept in on top of this massive adrenalin rush - the most

amazing feeling. The pilot told me to set the flaps, foot hard on the brake

and increase the revs. Final permission was given and the pilot said ‘foot

off the break, keep it straight and increase the revs further and when I say,

I want you to pull back on the joy stick’.

We built up speed and then came the command, ‘pull back’. The nose of

the plane turned upwards and the pilot - pointing to a nimbus cloud - said

‘aim there’. He then said look over to the right, there is a field with a few

sheep in and if we have a problem, that is our bailout area - more

adrenalin and ecstasy!

On leveling out and flying about a bit, the pilot took control and said

‘how about some acrobatics?’ OK, I said rashly. As the plane climbed he

said we would do a barrel role. He explained what he was going to do

and the next second we are diving and levelling out. The world started

turning around the plane and increased G-force. I believe we did two

Bulldog T Mk 1 Aircraft

21

complete turns. At this stage I was holding on to my seat. He chuckled

and said ‘that won’t do any good’!

He asked me if I was okay and I confirmed with as much nonchalance as

I had….. He was not fooled however and asked me if I needed some air. I

declined. He said in that case you will like the next one - we will do a full

loop. The plane started to climb and at this stage my bottom cheeks were

clenched so tight I didn’t need to hold on with my hands!

We dropped like a stone leaving my stomach somewhere up there -

followed by the sensation of being in zero gravity. As he pulled us out of

the dive, the G-force was telling and I was now being sucked into my seat

and trying to lift my arms as they felt like lead weights. Then the world

was upside down again as we started to dive. Quickly the world re-

asserted itself under the plane and once again the pilot said “how was it

for you”? I replied ‘brilliant’ and again he asked if I wanted some fresh

air – the same negative response was given.

After a few minutes of observing landmarks and major roads, the pilot

said we would do a vertical climb (using his hand to assist in describing

what the plane would do). This meant the plane would climb as high as it

could vertically and when it reached the maximum i.e. it could go no

higher, it would drop on its side and slide away.

We climbed and dived again to pick up speed and then went in a vertical

climb after leveling out. The plane climbed while the pilot was talking me

through this, saying ‘in a few seconds we will be at the maximum height’.

The plane was already slowing down, the cockpit was full of sky and

cloud. The engine was now laboring, still moving upwards and the pilot

said ‘we are we just about there’. A weird sensation with high revs and no

longer climbing.

Then the plane flipped onto its back. The world was spinning in front of

me. The pilot said quite calmly, were in a flat spin and that might be a

problem. The world spinning faster now and coming up at speed. The

pilot did something with the joystick and commented ‘that didn’t work –

this may be a problem!’

The pilot remained calm and still the earth was spinning and getting

closer. At this time I believed this was the end, but still just sat there no

panic just waiting. The earth was now rushing up even faster and then the

plane flipped – however I only felt this, as my eyes were closed!

22

The pilot remarked ‘that did it’ and looked at me. I must have looked

green. I felt queasy. He did on this occasion, slide open the cockpit and I

was grateful for the fresh air.

The pilot chatted to me as I was recovering and said that was the

notorious ‘flat spin’ for which Bulldogs were infamous. He was calm but

serious and I was not sure if this was a wind up or not! The pilot flew us

back to RAF Abingdon and about two miles out lined up the plane and

said you can land us. After a little discussion (with me objecting) I agreed

and took the controls. I had to touch the wheels down on the white

markings on the runway. This was surreal and as we were approaching

the runway, I was trying to keep the wings level whilst descending and

aiming for my mark – which is more difficult than you think. He kept

reassuring me as we flew over the hedge then over the runway and

landing with a thump. The pilot said ‘we class that as a heavy landing’ as

we taxied back to the flying school.

Job well done by the station manager. Is that an Oxford fire axe I see

attached to our illustrious manager. --- Editor

23

Article by Annie Milner (Our extraordinary Secretary)

Annie’s Certificate

Well done Annie you were a very brave young lady. As aircrew

for 25 years I was always taught that anyone that jumped out

of a serviceable aircraft was totally bonkers. I also like Annie

met and talked to some sheep on one of my RAF trips to

Australia ---- see cartoon following. Editor

In 1982 I was living in

Birmingham and took part in a

parachute jump for charity

I’m on the right in the sexy

blue jump suit with my

colleague Lesley who is on

the left in the green.

It was a days exercise of

practising how to land and

role over when you finally hit

the ground. The sensation of

ground rush was explained to

us and it was surprising how

fast the experience of floating

endlessly in the air came to a

quick end.

My parachute jump resulted in

me landing in a field full of

sheep and me talking to them

whilst I gathered up my

parachute looking for an

escape route. One colleague

landed on the top of a shed

and broke her leg. We had to

stand and watch as she was

craned off and out onto a

stretcher whilst an ambulance

waited to take her to casualty

24

Below is an article by Brian Binmore

Tale of the sea

or how to batter a Policeman.

I was stationed at Brixham for some time and we were called upon to go

to sea and take injured patients off boats and into Hospital.

We received a call to proceed to the Prince William Steps and meet a

Police sergeant who will explain the details; we meet up and were

informed that we were going to a coaster whose first engineer had a

problem.

We came alongside the said coaster and a rope ladder was lowered, for

some reason I was first up to be meet by a Malayan Chap with a pick axe

25

handle screaming at me, not a good start to say the least. I was taken into

the deck housing to be handed on to the Irish Captain, follow me he said.

I was outside a cabin door, the captain knocked on the door and it opened

and there stood a six foot eight Welsh first engineer.

What the f--- do you want he said, in a precarious voice? I said we have

come to take you to hospital, that’s when I realised I was on my own.

Well you can P=== off he said and shut the door.

The captain explained that that the engineer had messed up an oil change

in one of the German ports and had blown one of the engines, and this

had sent him over the top. On arrival at Brixham he had chased the Pilot

up to the birds nest and threatened the crew hence the pick axe handles.

The police Sergeant arrived with three officers and a doctor just as smoke

came flowing out a port hole of the cabin, not a good sign he said. We

have to get him out he said (I can see how he got promoted)

One of the police officers was told to stand opposite the door as a target

while the others prepared to open the door and grab the chap.

The door was opened and the target officer was pelted with eggs, milk

and flour he got well and truly battered, the other officers rushed in and

over powered the engineer, the next thing we saw was an arm coming out

the door the doctor said was it one of the policemen’s or the engineers,

we held the arm still while he injected him with a strong sedative.

The doctor said that it will only take a few moments to work twenty

minutes later the engineer was still putting up a strong fight, it was then

the doctor said the he would give him something stronger.

He was sedated enough to transfer him to Torbay and then on to Digby

where he set fire to his padded room which set of the sprinklers and

flooded the room.

Brian Binmore

26

Yet another visit to Torbay RNLI

Once again our watch keepers had an excellent visit to Torbay RNLI.

Mark Criddle (Coxswain) was in fine form. He gave us a very

comprehensive briefing and showed us around the All Weather Lifeboat.

The A team !!!!!!

Mark Criddle (Coxswain) posing with some of the

more intellectual watch keepers !!!!

27

Big brother watching on video from the

bridge the activities below deck.

Grant Grafton and Dave Biggs trying to

look studious

.

The lifeboat station has produced a new dummy for use during

Conning exercises. Spot the dummy from the above photograph

28

Night Conning Exercise

The following evening Torbay NCI possibly carried out the first

night Conning exercise in the NCI. The chances of Torbay being

asked to man the tower at night is pretty remote. However if

there was a major disaster at night we could be called upon to

help out the Coastguard and the search and rescue platforms.

Many lessons were learnt that night:

1. The lighting in the tower is not suitable for night

operations. We need to install diffused lighting.

Fortunately John Haslam brought a diffused torch.

2. It was also very difficult to determine the course/direction

of the lifeboat.

3. Mark Criddle said that the night Conning exercise was

well worth doing and his crew learnt a lot from the

evenings operation.

To help watch keepers to determine the direction/course of

the lifeboat at night the following diagrams will be of some

help

29

I hope to organise a RNLI visit and Conning exercise in

January watch this space

30

The Salon Hair & Beauty evening

The salon at Wellwood again hosted a wonderful of hair & beauty treatment and

advice whilst supplying delicious fizz & nibbles. In addition, we had local

craftswoman exhibiting their atrs, soaps & candles £235 was raised on the night

with further revenue coming from the raffle and “ the no. of baubles” competion

which runs until the 17th December. The owners of the saloon and staff provided

a wondeful evening, not to mention many raffle prizes and a £50 voucher for the

winner of the competition. Othe raffle prizes were collected from local retailers,

their generosity abounds.

Alandra getting nails done Jennie enjoying a glass of wine

Adrian having a head massage Ann with Ian Redwood

Mel Criddle wife of the

Coxswain of Tobay

likeboat (Mark) was

introduced by Ian

Redwood the owner and

was invited to switch on

the Christmas lights.

Anne-Marie

31

Our travels in Northumberland

by Andy and Annie Milner

Inspired by Robson Green, a trip round Northumberland was a must on

my bucket list. No easy drive 11 hours by car and arriving 10 degrees

lower temperature than the place we had left that morning. The hotel

looked grand but on entering, we were greeted by a lady in a coat and

boots, It's a bit cold but your room is nice and warm. I looked at Andy

and thought I sure hope so.

Although it rained each day, the sun came out when we stopped to visit

places we had chosen to visit. Here are a few photos are our travels.

Statue of Sir Henry Percy Hotspur Warkworth Castle

Above is a statue of Sir Henry Percy Harry Hotspur (1363-1403) The

statue stands in Alnwick. His family owned Warkworth castle .

Henry Percy, 'Hotspur', is one of Shakespeare's best-known characters.

In Henry IV, Part 1. He later led successive rebellions against Henry IV

of England and was slain at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403 at the

height of his career.

32

Andy surveying the local lifeboat – “not as good as Torbay’s”

Nearby Café – I see Andy’s diet is still going strong. Nearby - Bolam Lake Country park

33

Watchkeeper Good Show awards

Don Andrews

Don Andrews our radio officer with the help from my good self, Brian

Binmore and more recently Bob Horne have managed to train 170 watch

keepers from stations including Exmouth, Teignmouth, Torbay, Forward

Point, and more recently Portcawle in Wales.

It also looks as if we might be called upon to train watch keepers from

Cornwall.

Don initially set the course up and has been complimented by all the

stations on the excellence of his course.

These compliments have filtered back to National thus the following

letter from the chairman.

I think you would agree that Don thoroughly deserves the Torbay NCI

Good Show award.

34

35

Forthcoming Events

Friday 17th

February

Race night and supper --- details yet to be finalised

New training manual amendments

Page 8:

Les Mainstone’s email should read torbayrota16@gmail.com

Page 55:

Take out last paragraph completely and add Note: Latitude is always written first

Example = The "Station" at Torbay has Lat/Long 50º27'30.4"N 003 º 30 ' 88.2"W

Normally we would only express the Torbay Lat/Long as 50 º 27.30 ' N 003 º 30.88 ' W

Next “Watch” Newsletter

The next “Watch” will be published in April 2017. Any

articles/inputs should be forwarded to Ray Hifle. Editor

E mail : raymond.hifle420@btinternet.com

Landline: 01803782825

Mobile : 07860246670