Penlee lifeboat loss 31 years ago today

[matchmaker]

GBGaffer said:

matchmaker said:

RNLI Station Honorary Secretary.

LOM these days surely?

Yes, LOM nowadays, but in my day it was SHS.

[ClaphamGT3]

Just watched the documentary. Tragic. Hearing HMCG call out to the lifeboat was unbelievably poignant.

the crew of the Penlee and all RNLI volunteers - here's to them....

[gazapc]

It's this anniversary again, can't recommend enough watching this programme on the disaster if you haven't seen it already.

Fishtigua said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeIX0VnUMKo

[IanMorewood]

Just watched the documentary, makes you realise how selfless some folks genuinely are I wouldn't have had the balls to go out in that weather.

[Steve_W]

Matchmaker, nothing to say other than a heartfelt thank you to you and your colleagues in the RNLI

[majordad]

+ 1 Only read this for the first time, we owe them a huge debt.

[hidetheelephants]

carreauchompeur said:

The thing about "salvage" is very interesting. Would someone helping a vessel in distress really claim it? Seems a little harsh!

Lloyd's open form is the standard salvage agreement, it goes to arbitration and the amount awarded depends on the value of the ship and cargo rescued, difficulty/effort gone to etc.

[onyx39]

Athlon said:

Thirty one years ago today the Penlee Lifeboat was lost with all hands along with the crew and family members aboard the Union Star.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penlee_lifeboat_disas...

Spare a thought for those who lost their lives that night and take comfort from the fact that there are people who will lay it on the line with no thought of reward when we need them most.

R.I.P.

Dusty in here.

[mph1977]

ShampooEfficient said:

I think their line is that they don't want all the st that comes with being Government funded.

yep

ditto Mountain/ cave / fell Rescue ( cliff rescue depends on whether it;s HMCG managed scheme), St John, BRC etc.

[matchmaker]

Steve_W said:

Matchmaker, nothing to say other than a heartfelt thank you to you and your colleagues in the RNLI

Many thanks.

[Athlon]

Once more the anniversary of the Penlee lifeboat loss comes around.

RIP to the crew who lost their lives that terrible night of the Cornish coast.

The link is to the last messages sent from the Solomon Browne, it is desperately sad as you hear the sudden loss of the bravest of men.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxKyQrcQFUU

Please spare a moment to think about the crew and their family after dark on the 19th December.

[Phud]

tomorrow is a club night at Falmouth watersports,

there will be a lot of us who will raise a glass to absent friends and pay respects to those who have been lost

[robm3]

Well hadn't known about that, thanks for sharing.

What struck me in the documentary is how professional everyone was on the radio. Even the last radio call from the lifeboat betrayed no sense of panic.
Professional to the end.

[Fonz]

I'm just totally lost for words after watching that.

[ecsrobin]

Fonz said:

I'm just totally lost for words after watching that.

Agreed. When that line goes dead it's very sad.

[Phud]

I am sure many on here know, when the replacement boat went on service the crew consisted of men whose brothers, family and friends were lost that night. All offered to serve because they felt they should.

To me the RNLI volunteers are amazing.

[petop]

I used to do a lot of RIB Powerboating (all course'd up i hasten to add). Sometimes i would go out with a couple of mates and even though checking the weather and sea states some areas around the Needles etc can turn a little interesting and a couple of late afternoon runs back into Lymington, starting to get dark the sea suddenly gets awful big. When your a little or even a big boat in trouble, you certainly appreciate those that drop everything and run out of the door knowing that they may not come back to loved ones. Definitely makes you think.

[markmullen]

Phud said:

To me the RNLI volunteers are amazing.

Indeed, and those of the 60+ independent lifeboats around the country who often get forgotten.

[johnxjsc1985]

Amazing people who do incredible stuff. I have seen the documentary it is jaw droppingly intense.

[Athlon]

Somewhat bizarre that tonight the Penlee boat was called to stand by a large ship that had lost power and was dragging it's anchor in Mounts bay, same scenario different year, gratefully slightly better weather and they are home safe.

RIP Trev and the crew, never forgotten.