RNLI
With a Spanish Trawler aground in Village Bay, St Kilda, in horrendous weather conditions, the Stornoway rescue helicopter has been called out to try to remove the crew.At 6am this morning the Lifeboat was called out and is expected to reach St Kilda at noon today, after travelling through Force 10 seas. They then face Force 11 on the way back, after spending at least a few hours on site.
As someone with no sea legs whatsoever, I have nothing but total admiration, respect and bewilderment that they are prepared to face such challenges, dangers and appalling conditions at a moments notice, and for a minuscule financial reward.
7 comments:
I very much doubt that, despite the chopper and crew performing brilliantly to get the whole ship's crew safe off the boat, we will see an article in the Gazzette about how well the helicopter performed technically, they only seem to be happy when they are moaning about the chopper.
I have enormous admiration for the people that venture out in all weathers to save lives at sea.
Madeddieh-
where do you suppose the Gazette gets the stories from? The MCA are like any government department, everything is perfect, lets not risk any pensions or knighthoods (or profit?)by rocking the boat.
The leaks are coming from inside, because the official channels for the crew are being ignored- and thats NOT a criticism of the crew, they did a bloody good job at St Kilda despite the S92.
Anonymous Coward 5:13 -
I suppose the Gazette gets it's stories from half truths and hearsay as it never seems to come out with hard facts - only grumbles and moans, which to be frank seem to be some sort of daily pastime in Lewis. I've never seen such a place for moaning about change.
The basic rule in Lewis is that change is never a good thing.
Also I'm sure that the S92 only managed to stay up in horrendous weather due to the PMA of the crew and not it's design......
madeddieh-
yes, on a January 2008 mission when autohover failed and the S92 came within a few feet of disaster, it was down to the skill of the pilots that they came home.
As far as Lewis moans are concerned, when Bristows lost the MCA contract they did plenty moaning about the S92 not being the right machine for the job. At the time most thought it was sour grapes at losing the contract, but now - maybe not so sure.(downdraft causing problems- hole in fuselage from spinning stretcher, de-icing gear still not functioning, satphone only working now after months of problems,chief ground engineer quits in disgust,autohover disengaging,no HF radio fitted, faulty VHF radios, training issues with equipment.....who would you believe, the crew or the civil servant?
how anonymous or cowardly is madeddieh? he/she isnae in the phone book here!
strange, i looked for ann onymous - she wasnt there either!
Post a Comment