For those in peril...... by neiwil
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Description
Back on the Mersey....this is a special group of people for me.My Father served on the crew and when he was too old he became the Deputy Launch Officer for New Brighton Lifeboat, so I know what these guys go through.Unpaid volunteers, you wouldn't notice if you bumped into them in the High Street, but they drop everything to launch in weather you wouldn't let your dog out in.I have nothing but the utmost admiration for all Lifeboat crews around our coast but especially these ones.
With the loss of New Brighton pier we lost the permanent mooring for the old rigid Lifeboat, fortunately semi-rigid inflatables were just becoming available,and so one was procured, as always through public funding, and we've had a few since then.A couple of years ago a good friend of the New Brighton LB passed away and left his widow well provided for.She bought and donated the Hovercraft in his memory.
The Lifeboat has come a long way from oar power to serious horsepower, but the volunteers remain the same dedicated bunch....some of New Brightons crew are fourth generation....hats off to every single one of them...
Now! can someone tell me WHY they have to go 'cap in hand' to raise money??? somethings wrong with that.
Comments (11)
Maxidyne
Huge respect to your Father and all those volunteers who as you say do this unpaid at anytime day or night in all weathers while holding down a day job. My mother in law lives in East Sussex and although retired collects for the lifeboat service and works in thier shop unpaid too. As to why they have to go 'cap in hand', well we both know the answer to that one mate. The wealthy get more wealthy as the poor get poorer.
UVDan
Who doesn't love hovercraft? Wooohooo! If I crewed on that, I would want to train every day. Gotta build me a hovercraft and then a gyrocopter. Great picture and history. Volunteers are special.
Richardphotos
they are special people.My son,his wife, and two daughters are volunteer fire fighters
MacMyers
Amazing people.
bmac62
There's something special about volunteers! Here's your LB crew! Wonderful collage. And I grew up almost next door to a volunteer fire station. They too were always raising money needed for a host of equipment they needed to do their job. And some job...life saving. I always had to laugh at the fire department guys...a crew remained in the fire station 24/7, but if additional volunteers were needed, they'd stream out of the bar (Pub) across the street, right into the fire house to suit up and go. Your guys and my guys know the value of training and espirit de corps. Well done mate!!!
flavia49
great sequence
T.Rex
Thanks for posting these photos and for the associated text. Most people done't realize and often take for granted these volunteers and their work. That they have to ask for money is bad - it should be SO OBVIOUS the good work they're doing that municipal officials ought to get the equipment for them. It's the tax payers who benefit. But, as Maxidyne says, "the rich...poor". These fellows have my greatest admiration, volunteering to go in harm's way to save another's life. Same goes for firemen. From the stone, some 11 lives per year. I'm glad for all the photos. It's nice to see the hovercraft at rest on shore and in action. I wonder how fast it can go (which, of course, depends on how rough the sea is)? A beautiful collage and tribute! Keep up the good work! :-)
android65mar
I've always wondered about that myself, why for a maritime nation we are so skin-fleet when it comes to saving lives at sea. A real ponderer...great tribute
dbrv6
Great post and tribute for these volunteers. The reason they go hat in hand is a many tangled thread, from the few times I have looked into this type of thing. Many times an area just did not meet the requirement for 'civil service' of any sort so the locals put together what they needed and raised the money - thus the many volunteer firefighters are a great example - or even private police services (though I think a good many of these are gone). Its anouther reason there are Universal Access/service laws for stuff like electricity and phone service. Its impressive that people recognized a need and made it happen and have continued to support it. Its an essence of this country.
coyoteviper
hover craft are cool.
debbielove
Neil, I agree, these guys deserve respect.. Totally and complete respect! I've seen launches in weather so AWFUL in Cornwall (not nice in storms!) Nightmares can hardly imagine it! Sometimes they don't come back... RESPECT! AND, NO I have no idea why they have to raise their own money to survive but the Politicians ride of their backs saying how wonderful they are! Well, if they ARE so wonderful, fund them 100% You tight fisted bastards! End of...... Good one Neil.. Good one... Write mate.. Rob