For those in peril on the sea! Last week’s lifeboat drama in pictures…
Praise and tributes pour in for the crew who manned Hastings Lifeboat on Sunday.
Hastings Lifeboat crew is famous the world over this week as a video of their boat almost capsizing in last Sunday’s storms has been seen all around the globe.
Now thanks to photographs by Kevin Boorman we can bring you a sense of just what went on last Sunday.
Via Twitter Hastings RNLI told their followers: “This week we’ve been overwhelmed by your heartfelt comments and generous donations. On behalf of Tim Walsh, Andy Doe, Mark Tewkesbury, Ashley White, Billy Sutton and Mike Eustace, the crew members who took on the might of Storm Ciara, we want to say thank you.”
Local MP Sally-Ann Hart paid tribute saying: “…we have seen heroic, and at times heart stopping, moments from the local lifeboat crew at Hastings and the Air Sea and Rescue services.
“Without their commitment and dedication we could have seen fatalities along the coast of Hastings and Rye, but their brave and heroic efforts helped to save lives and keep us safe.
“On behalf of us all, a huge thank you to all our emergency services!”
The volunteer crew’s bravery was also recognised this week at a meeting of Hastings Borough Council and Hastings In Focus’ social media channels were filled by comments from the public who were full of praise for the crew and the levels of bravery they put on display.
The lifeboat was launched to join the search for a surfer in difficulty off Rock-a-Nore during Storm Ciara on Sunday Feb 9th. The Hastings crew joined the helicopter rescue and local coastguard teams in searching the area from Hastings to Winchelsea beach in extremely challenging conditions.
The casualty was recovered to the land at Winchelsea Beach, and lifeboat was stood down.
But as conditions worsened, Hastings Lifeboat suffered a knockdown, or a partial capsize, in heavy surf in Hastings harbour while attempting to reach the beach, and diverted to the safety of Eastbourne’s Sovereign Harbour.
The public has been fulsome in its praise here are a few of the comments that have been left…
On Facebook Barbara Smith asked: “Have they been put forward for a bravery award yet?”
Paula Ellis added: “Big respect and medals should be given, just as importantly the idiot surfer should be prosecuted and fined for risking others lives in the first place!”
That was a theme echoed by others. Mike Alan suggested: “Name and shame that surfer he should be banned from all beaches.”
Caroline Wells said: “I know these guys and girls are fab and very brave and I respect them all. But what about the Coastguards Rye Bay and the pilot who landed on the top in strong winds. They are all heroes.”
June Garner said: “It takes special people to do what you all do you are all so brave.”
Kevin Duffield says: “I saw the footage… hats off to them all….they are REAL HEROES.”
Claire Annette Duffie added: “There aren’t the words to truly convey what real life heroes you are.”
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Well done RNLI for this accident. However not all were brainwashed by the mass media culture of blame for the surfer: https://wavelengthmag.com/defence-hastings-storm-surfer/