As Weymouth Lifeboat Week launches, Echo reporter Catherine Bolado joins the crew to find out about the work of the unsung heroes . . .

WEYMOUTH Lifeboat Station is situated on the harbourside and the volunteer crews have been saving lives for 140 years.

The two lifeboats, inshore lifeboat Phyl Clare III and the all-weather Ernest and Mabel lifeboat, cover 1,330 nautical square miles around the coast.

The RNLI is entirely funded by donations from the public and the annual Lifeboat Week raises vital revenue to keep the service running.

To highlight the work the teams do, I spent a morning on exercise with the crew of Ernest and Mabel and Phyl Clare as they practised a drill for towing boats in distress, with the coastguard helicopter.

Coxswain Andrew Sargent and the crew took the all-weather boat into Weymouth Bay and co-ordinated with the coastguard helicopter, which winched a man down on to the lifeboat’s deck.

A line was then run from the helicopter to the boat and across via a high-wire transfer to the inshore lifeboat.

Crewman Matt Green 36, said: “The winch line from the helicopter to the boat has to have a long cable to earth it to the boat or the water before anyone touches it.

“It could give a high voltage shock from the static electric charge build up onboard the helicopter.”

He added: “We always aim for the Golden Hour Rule where from the time we get a call to the time the casualty is in hospital or getting medical treatment is an hour.

“The best part of the job is the camaraderie and the sense of family and knowing you have done a good job on a shout.”

The crews had to be careful to ensure no ropes were tangled in the rotor blades of the helicopter or on the boat’s propeller.

After the rope had been transferred the winchman was taken back up into the helicopter and the crews set sail for the harbour.

Every 10 days the crews go out on exercise to train for different types of rescue emergencies including casualty transfers and man overboard rescues.

To help reduce the number of incidents the Weymouth RNLI has a dedicated Sea Safety Team where people going out on the water can get advice on safety and which equipment to take when planning a trip.

Lifeboat mechanic Kevin Goddard, 44, said: “Most people who go out on the water are very sensible and well prepared.

“Around 99 per cent of the shouts are easy, only one per cent are really bad.”

Coxswain Andrew Sargent said that people need to take responsibility on the water.

He said: “Fifteen years ago people started in small boats and then got a bigger boat, but now they go out and buy a 30ft boat and off they go and that’s where it all goes wrong as some people don’t have the experience.”

What's On

* Monday, July 26: Lifeboat display at the Nothe Fort with the search and rescue helicopter.

The event starts at 6pm. Lifeboat crews will be doing a joint rescue operation with the helicopter in the bay.

There will be a barbecue, bar and local band Speedway Snails will be playing. There will also be an entertainer and bouncy castle for children.

* Wednesday, July 28: Lifeboat demonstration at Bowleaze Cove at 7pm.

Lifeboat crews will work with the search and rescue helicopter to put on a spectacle for the waiting crowds.

* Thursday, July 29: Barbecue at the Weymouth Sailing Club at 6.30pm.

Local band North and South will be entertaining the crowds.

* Saturday, July 31: Lifeboats open to the public from 10.30am. Grand Prize Draw at 2pm with prizes including a £100 voucher from David the Jeweller, a day’s sailing with an Olympic sailor and fishing trips.

* A small flotilla of vintage lifeboats will be in Weymouth Harbour throughout the week.

* The RNLI would like to thank sponsors Quayside Fuel, Weyline Taxis, Cobwebs Internet Cafe, The Duke of Cornwall and Abilities Ltd.