Sea Sunday
This week’s Sunday session (8th July 2018) wasn’t a training session for crew, but instead everyone here at the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat played host to visitors from local churches for the annual Sea Sunday service.
Sea Sunday is a united service arranged by the united Christian Churches in Pett:
- The Parish Church of St. Mary and St. Peter, Pett.
- Pett Methodist Church.
- St. Nicholas Church, Pett level.
Many visitors will recognise as St. Nicholas Church as the small chapel which is located right next to the PLIRB base. St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of sailors and fishermen (among many other people) so the blessing of the boat in the shade of the boathouse and shadow of the chapel is a special community event.
The service included hymns, songs and story-telling from local school children and an official blessing of the boat by Rector Richard Barron.
Very unfortunately, we were struggling with tractor problems. This meant that the Margaret and John Pulfer boat, which would usually be on the slipway for the blessing, remained in its boathouse whilst crew mechanics carried out vital repairs on the tractor.
So, despite the sunshine and our many visitors, repair work had to continue throughout the service because the fine weather we’re having means that we’re on regular ‘stand by’ for Shouts across the local coastline. The Camber beach area is proving particularly popular whilst the weather holds and it’s essential to ensure that our vehicles are all ‘rescue-ready’ at all times.
The service ended with the PLIRB crew and committee hosting refreshments for our visitors. It was wonderful to see everyone and to feel such a part of the local community. Thank you all so much.
If anyone is interested in finding out more about the St. Nicholas Church and its long association with local sea rescue, please do visit the chapel and pick up a leaflet or visit www.fairlightandpett.com.
PS: The tractor is now working again! 🙂
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