9th March 2014 - Looe RNLI net recovery training.

Imagine - low tides, strong waves and swell and Looe RNLI's Atlantic 75 needs to return to shore as quickly as possible with any casualties.

Usually the Atlantic 75 reverses onto her Drive Off Drive On (DODO) trailer so she can launch quickly when next called out.

For a quick return to shore a net is rigged on the DOD trailer to capture the lifeboat and bring her to a halt quickly.

Hats off to the helmsman who has to keep the engines running and enter the trailer a speed.

Just imagine having to do this in a high swell or surf, you would have to judge it just right as visabilty would be non existant!

The net is rigged on the DOD trailer ready for the next crew to practice.

and the tractor reverses the trailer into the sea ready for the Atlantic 75 to make her run into shore.

Earlier B-793 "Alan and Margaret" Looe RNLI's Atlantic 75 moors by the boathouse as the tractor makes her way onto the beach.

She is joined by the smaller D class D-741 "Ollie Naismith" out in Looe bay.

The exercise is controlled by the beachmaster.

At the end of the exercise the Atlantic 75 is taken onto the seafront.

Here a turntable is used to take the Atlantic 75 off the trailer a turn her ready for the next shout.

In the river D-741 waits for her recovery.

You can find out more about the RNLI and Looe Lifeboats on their websites.

Here is a video of the training session.

This was just a training exercise, but as always, the advice from the RNLI and HM Coastguard
especially when conditions on the sea and along the coast are extremely treacherous with gale-force winds, high tides and heavy rain
is to keep away from the shoreline and do not take any unnecessary risks.

With all the recent storms remodelling the shoreline be extra carefull
as new rips are occuring and even with local knowledge it is a changing environment.