Ferry exercise: three lifeboat stations, Sheerness, Margate and Ramsgate, with helicopters from RAF Mansion took part in an exercise to evacuate a cross-Channel ferry on January 13 (right). The Sally Line ferry, made specially available by the company, was carrying 98 Royal Marines and WRNS who acted as passengers. An explosion in the engine room and a fire on board formed the basis for the simulation and the "passengers" were taken off using rope ladders, liferafts and helicopter winching. At one point a real drama developed as a liferaft deflated, but speedy action by Ramsgate's Waveney and Atlantic 21 lifeboats averted any danger.

photograph by courtesy of Jim Byrne..