It’s been a particularly busy time for the volunteer teams this weekend (19th & 20th May 2018) as Pett Level Inshore Rescue Boat have been providing safety support at the Rye Harbour Sailing Club’s Sailability Weekend event.

On Saturday we launched the Margaret & John Pulfer boat at approximately 1.30 pm, in order to be at Rye Harbour for the RHSC’s afternoon session.

Saturday afternoon’s crew: Ethan, Shaun, Rob and Jo.

However, although the tide level and conditions were fine for launch, the situation with the shingle was something else! Recent high tides, coupled with high winds had formed a steep, almost vertical shingle ridge which made the tractor launch more difficult than usual …

Vertical shingle ridge (seen looking up towards the base from shore)

Thanks to the expertise of Kev, Launch Vehicle volunteer, and the use of additional ropes, hands, and particular care, the ridge was negotiated …

To allow the boat and crew to launch successfully …

 

But getting the boat off safely is only half of Kev’s task. He’s then tasked with getting the tractor back up to the base, without becoming stuck in the shingle! The PLIRB tractor’s a Thwaite’s 6 tonne tractor, so of course being able to pull (or push) 6 tonnes means it’s a heavy vehicle in its own right!

The process of getting back up involves ‘walking’ also known as ‘crabbing’ the tractor back up the beach with small, incremental moves from side to side, reversing all the time. These movements, painstakingly carried out by Kev, move the tractor back up the beach approximately 12 – 18 inches at a time. Once the tractor was onto safer shingle, then the trailer was reattached and pulled back up to the base as usual. Job done … until the boat comes back, of course!

Meanwhile, over at Rye Harbour, the crew spent the afternoon shadowing sailing boats involved in the Sailability event. This sailing took place in the River Rother, at the Rye Harbour end and also up river as it curves towards Rye.

Conditions were pleasant, but not as warm as it looks in the photos – overall it was pretty cold as it was quite gusty around the Harbour mouth. Everything went in a ‘plain sailing’ fashion although the arrival of a freight boat into the harbour, the equivalent of a ‘wide load’ on the roads, meant that for a while the sailing took place upriver …

Once our session ended, some very welcome tea and cake were provided by RHSC to the shore crew who were attending and to the boat crew – all much appreciated.

Our second session of the weekend took place on Sunday afternoon, with crew members: Andy, Shaun, Isaac and John, who enjoyed much warmer conditions!