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| Photo of Bryan Laughlin, operations manager, (left) and Diz Carey, mechanic, (right) on board the Tyne Class Lifeboat ‘Sarah Emily Harrop’. |
Figures released by the RNLI show that lifeboats based at Calshot launched 101 times in 2006 and rescued 91 people, making it the second busiest station in the South East region.
Though the RNLI’s purpose is primarily to save lives at sea, the station’s two lifeboats also rescued vessels worth over £762,000 during the total of 137 hours that they were at sea.
Of the 101 launches, 62 were by the station’s Arun class All Weather Lifeboat ‘Mabel Williams’ and 39 by the D class Inshore Lifeboat '248 Squadron RAF'. ‘Mabel Williams’ was subsequently retired from service in January this year and replaced by the newer and faster Tyne class boat ‘Sarah Emily Harrop’.
Apart from the recent change of boat, two of Calshot station’s key personnel also changed in 2006. Bryan Laughlin took over as the station operations manager from John Horton who stood down after many years in charge as the Honorary Secretary, a role later restyled as Lifeboat Operation Manager.
Separately, Diz Carey was appointed as the station’s full time Mechanic following the resignation of Steve Harvey, who had served at Calshot as both mechanic and coxswain. Diz, who lives locally in Calshot, had previously worked for the RNLI as an instructor at the Institution’s Poole HQ.
Commenting on the year ahead, Bryan Laughlin said “The new Tyne class boat is an excellent addition to the capability of the station. We had 12 more launches in 2006 compared with 2005 and, though we all wish it was never necessary to launch on a rescue, we know that it will give excellent service if called upon”. |
