A quiet week as far as operations were concerned but very busy on the fundraising side. We played host to the North East Boating Federation on Thursday evening (pictured).
They are spread over the North East of England. They held their regular meeting at our premises on the old tug boat jetty at Blyth. After a tour of the station and lifeboat they were treated to refreshments by our volunteers before commencing with their meeting.
Another community group using our facilities; as always we welcome all community users and if you feel as if you could use this then book in with the station manager or myself. Visit our website for further contact details - www.blythallweatherlifeboat.com
Barry Elliott, chairman, Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat
In addition to our services to the community, we get other requests.
The Buffalo Community Centre in Regent Street, Blyth, approached our station manager after seeing the success of our refurbishment of our buildings at High Quay Blyth, opposite the Alcan silos on the Quayside off Bridge Street.
The manager Eilleen Cartie had just lost out on the much-publicised lottery grant to refurbish the stable block at the rear of the community centre.
Barry Elliott, chairman, Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat
Another week without incident. We have progressed on finding our new operational manager which after consultation with the constitution will be our present chief coxwain and chief engineer Kerri Merrilo.
Myself, Kerri and Gordon, the other senior coxwain, will be meeting in the coming weeks and months to review and update all the station's and lifeboat's generic and dynamic procedures.
Kerri has been at the "helm" since the start of the organisation. He is an extremely competent senior figure and has held the role of chief engineer for many years now. The operations department will present Kerri with challenges to which we know he will take like a duck to water.
Barry Elliott, chairman, Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat
This week the station saw a lot of activity. Among many other things we had a visit from the Scouts Association, a meeting with a prominent county councillor, and an operational management meeting.
Channel 4 television is filming throughout.
The operations department is a very important part of our organisation and after six or so years I am looking to revamp the efforts of our previous operational manager, who I publicly thank for the tremendous commitment and time he gave to our cause.
We have had a lot of activity over the past few weeks or so on the lifeboat station.
With the departure of operations manager Ernie Laws, my 20-plus years of fire and rescue service management came back into play to ensure continuity of Ernie's excellent contribution.
The role of an operational manager on a lifeboat station is extremely demanding and a responsible position but can bring tremendous rewards, when we put into practice our many hours of training to rescue people and property.
A lot of activity was had by the volunteers of the lifeboat station preparing for its first real opening over the Easter weekend since having a full refurbishment - which is nearly close to completion.
In the week leading up to Easter the disabled ramp was given an overhaul as well as some much-needed finishing touches to the externals.
The lifeboat station was open to the public over the bank holiday weekend from 10am to 4pm.
At 03:24 on Thursday the 5th of May 2011 the "Abbie Deans Spirit of Blyth and Wansbeck" All-Weather lifeboat was called out by HM Coastguard Humber to a report of a sailing yacht "Fairmaura" in difficulty.
The lifeboat was launched at 0335 with Kerri Merilo, Coxswain in charge with a crew of seven. They proceeded to approximately 1.5 miles south of Blyth Harbour where they found the skipper of the yacht tired and disorientated.
He had been sailing for approximately 12 hours and had lost his way due to the wind dropping and the loss of his electronic plotter. The skipper of the yacht sustained an injury to his head due to dropping sails and hitting his head in the process.
Barry Elliott, chairman, Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat
A busy time since last week. The Abbie Deans Spirit of Blyth and Wansbeck all-weather lifeboat has been called out three times to rescue fishing boats/cruisers in distress.
Every callout received a rapid response from our dedicated crew of volunteers.
Barry Elliott, chairman, Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat
Over the coming months I will be providing an insight into the workings and happenings of Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat.
The Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat, based at the Old Tugboat Jetty High Quay in Blyth (opposite the Alcan silos, directly on the harbour front), was formed approximately six years ago by a group of dedicated volunteers, specially trained to rescue life and property at sea.
Since then it has gone from strength to strength, purely on the dedication and commitment of all the volunteers and all the people and businesses that support us financially, of which there are many. We have the support of a number of NCC councillors, whose financial contribution and commitment to create more awareness for us have been commendable.
A busy day was had for the rescue crew of the Abbie Deans Blyth All Weather Lifeboat.
After carrying out a search and rescue mission on the morning of Sunday 10th April the crew were again called out to a Cabin Cruiser in distress "the maid of Kent" which had lost its steering. The vessel at 25 feet long was drifting in between the two piers at Blyth with three crew on board.
Blyth Links
Wildlife - With Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara
Ronnie Campbell - MP for Blyth Valley
Blyth Valley Scouts - Stu Bennett
Alan Hoyle - Basketball and local news
Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat - Barry Elliott
Jo Edwards - Local issues and news
John Dawson - History tales
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