'HE CHANGED MY LIFE'

I noticed the sad passing of former Newhaven Coxswain/Mechanic Len Patten (pictured) in the latest magazine and I would like it if this message could be passed on to his family and even used to encourage young people to support us.

Len was the reason why, as a 10-year-old boy, I got into supporting the RNLI. I was doing a bike ride with my school of 212 miles and my Mum suggested I pick a charity to do it for. I chose the RNLI as it was a local one and presented the cheque to Len and the crew. It was then that my support for the RNLI began – since then I’ve done some walks over the Seven Sisters, an abseil, canoed down the Cuckmere, and have a life membership and am an RNLI Governor.

On leaving Newhaven I moved about a lot with work and fundraised for Kilkeel and Enniskillen before finding myself on the committee of the Thurso lifeboat where we currently live. I am knee deep in yellow wellies for Mayday!

This has all been born from Len and his chats and boat trips and the effect he had on me over 30 years. He has never been far from my thoughts when doing and planning events. My life as a supporter and fundraiser and member was shaped by this wonderful man.

Please pass on my thoughts and thanks to Len’s family – we only met a few times but the effect he had on me changed my life for the better.
Peter Shewell, Thurso

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‘THESE WONDERFUL CRAFT’

I love your magazine. Congrats. On page 35 you have listed the many rescue craft in use by the RNLI. Though not having much knowledge about the sea, I am a curious chap about engineering and, as I read, I found myself wondering about the capabilities of each craft.

So it occurred to me that that it would make a very good article for your mag. Could someone in the know write up on these wonderful craft and explain to readers what they are all about, eg tech spec, why is one more suitable than another, lifespan etc?

It would help so much in understanding. I know a lot of this is on internet but it’s a daunting task for the layman to sort out what is important. So, how about it?
Pat Walsh, Mayo, Ireland

Thanks for the idea, Pat – a feature along those lines is probably long overdue, so we’ll get planning something more in depth for a future issue! In the meantime, there’s lots of lifeboat fleet information at RNLI.org/lifeboats.

Rory Stamp, Editor

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‘IT DANGEROUSLY CAUGHT ME OUT’

I wish to report superb help from the RNLI station at Rye Harbour, East Sussex, today. My wife and I – she has advancing Alzheimer’s – were in our car at lunchtime by the river’s estuary, and like a real idiot I did not notice the fast incoming tide. It seriously and dangerously caught me out, in the car. Your people – two in full RNLI kit, two in plain clothes – did a truly fantastic job with their tractor, trailer and rubber craft [Atlantic 85 lifeboat].

They made their plan calmly, agreed it with me, and carried it out in an unflustered way, which was seriously impressive. The car was shipping water and my wife was really agitated. They got us back to the station then retrieved the car by towing – and even washed it down! I have written to the crew (donation enclosed).
Michael Andrews, East Sussex

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FROM RNLI FANS ON FACEBOOK

We asked for your stories of getting into danger on the coast – here are just a few replies.

I was kayaking with some beginners in Barmouth Harbour, miscalculated the flow of the river and paddled into the flow, only to be swept out and into the sandbar, which had very large breaking waves on it. Everybody into the water. The RNLI inshore rescue boat came to our rescue and brought us and all of our equipment back to shore. No complaints, no anger, just an understanding and a willingness to help, fantastic.
Gerard Gosling

The RNLI lifeboats rescued my father some years ago. If it were not for them, this would not be written. Amongst others, for this reason we have a profound respect for the RNLI. And this is one of the main reasons I joined them back in 2012.
Daniel Stapleford, RNLI lifeguard

Witnessed a young girl who must have been around 6 years old float about 4m out in a rubber ring (enough to make her unable to touch the bottom) ... only for her to fall off it and start going under. If it wasn’t for the quick actions of the lifeguards on duty I can only imagine what the outcome would have been! Very scary to see but a massive relief that the lifeguards we have are all so brilliant! #RespectTheWater.
Sophie Booth

When about 8/9 was wading out in water with older brother (who was taller than me) and as I tried to keep up with his depth I lost my footing. I still remember the horrible feeling of choking and seeing bubbles all round. To this day, and I’m 60 now, I shudder at the thought of drowning. It was a terrible experience but I learned the hard way and went on to take swimming lessons and love the water even now, but people have to realise the dangers.
Tina Sinclair

For more information on the RNLI’s national safety campaign, Respect the Water, see:
RNLI.org/RespectTheWater