Exercise with RAF Search and Rescue Helicopter 
Monday 21st December 2009

Today we exercised off Great Yarmouth with the SAR Helicopter from RAF Wattisham.

The RAF crewman who came aboard and co-ordinated the lifts was a Caister Lad who went to Caister High, Sgt Ady Brind. So we had Caister represented in the water and the air.

Lifts were made of Crew members from both the bow and stern of the Lifeboat and returned in both areas of the boat.

Also a simulated rescue was made from the sea using a double harness lift to keep the casualty in the lying position.

Finally the RAF lads were presented with a Turkey courtesey of Bernard Matthews.

If you would like any photo's emailed please contact me JRDelf@aol.com



Seafarer Support 
Saturday 28th November 2009

Launched in Great Yarmouth this week a new free telephone and internet referral service to guide seafarers,their families and welfare professionals to charities and other organisations best placed to help them.Available to those with a background in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy or fishing fleets.

The support line Telephone 08001214765

www/seafarersupport.org

Website Link: www/seafarersupport.org



Well done to Marcus 
Saturday 14th November 2009

Congratulations to Marcus Brown who has been recognised by the Young People of the Year Award [Y0PEY].

Marcus, 15years, joined the young crew when his family moved to the village just over five years ago.His training includes in shore rescue boat experience,first aid,rope work,radio operator use and general duties around the station including the retrieval of the Off shore Bernard Matthews 2.

This picture shows Marcus laying a wreath offshore of the village as part of the Caister Life boat 2009 Rememembrance Launch



Memorial At Sea 
Sunday 8th November 2009

Whilst others where at Memorial services all over the country Caister Lifeboat crew had a service of their own.

On Sunday the Caister Lifeboat Launched at about 10.15a.m. to lay wreaths from the Parish Council and Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service. At precisely 11.00 am the engines were shut off and after a few words of dedication to the Memory of those lost in Military service as well as in lifeboat service from Chairman Paul Garrod. Junior crewmen Jack Waitt and Marcus Brown laid the wreaths on the sea off Caister and a minutes silence followed.


 

Remembering the past 
Wednesday 28th October 2009

Coxwain Paul Williams at the Memorial to the Memory of lifeboat crew in Caister Cemetery who have given their lives for others.

Picture by Colin Finch courtesy of Archant Newspapers and the Great Yarmouth Mercury



Caister Lifeboat Visitor Centre..NOW OPEN 
Monday 26th October 2009

Our new Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Visitor Centre is now open and you are all welcome to pay us a visit. Our display boards answer many of the questions you all ask as they take you on a journey starting from Albert and Frank, two members of the Caister Beach Salvage company, right up to the present day.

Read about our boats and look down into the Shirley Jean Ayde,our first motorised boat, from the elevated platform.

And there is much more before you venture across the slipway to our new Skipper Woodhouse Shed and our present inshore and offshore boats.




Volunteers Needed 
Sunday 25th October 2009

To run a successful station we need a team of willing volunteers to help raise the funds.

Become a part of the lifesaving team by raising funds to run the station and supply new equipment.

If you would like to be a Caister Lifeboat Fund Raiser please contact Juliann Kirk on Mobile 07816909870. or email juliankirk@hotmail.com.




New Visitor Centre Opening a Great Success 
Monday 19th October 2009

Yesterday's celebrations to commemorate 40 years of an Independent Lifeboat at Caister went very well with Michael Falcon CBE finishing it off by opening the visitor Information Centre.

Junior Crew and Members of the Lifeboat were at the shed from 8.00 a.m. to turn the operational lifeboat shed into a 14 table dining room for 150 people and were there at the end of the day to put the Shed back into operational order.

Well done to the team who organised the day and thanks to all those who turned up on the day to make everything go so well. Especial thanks to the Junior Crew who worked hard and proudly represented the future of the Lifeboat.

See the headline News page for more details



Royal visit... an honour for the station
Saturday 22nd August 2009

See our new pictures......... HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited the Lifeboat Station as part of the Stations 40th Year celebrations on Wednesday 24th June 2009. The Duke spoke at length during his extended half hour visit to the crew and spent a long time chatting informally with members of the Junior crew.

After meeting Lifeboat Chairman, Paul Garrod and speaking with Bernard Matthews ,the Duke sampled a pint of the real ale "The Volunteer" which has been locally brewed especially to mark the 40th year. He also showed his ajility as he climbed aboard both the Lifeboat and the Tractor unit of the carriage before disembarking to unveil a commemorative plaque produced by local stone mason Colin Smith.

Hundreds of children and local residents lined the Skipper Woodhouse Roadway waving a canopy of union jacks and cheering as the Duke walked by them frequently stopping for a brief conversation.The Duke also met the two "Stalwart Ladies"June and Phyliss who run the Lifeboat Shop every Wednesday and two past crew members.

Paul Garrod said he was extremely proud to accompany the Duke and he was impressed with how the Duke had taken so much time to speak with so many people.He was equally proud of how the Directors,crew and other lifeboat helpers had presented themseves in the best traditions of the service

Following the Dukes visit Eon Contracted the Lifeboat and crew to ferry representatives offshore to see, close up,the nearby windfarm.Two trips were made in very choppy conditions to allow close inspection of the windmill structures.

Many photographs were taken and there was a general recognition by the "passengers"of the skill of the Coxwain and crew who were able to use the "Bernard Matthews" water jets to demonstrate its full manoeuvrable capabilities to quickly arrive at the windmills and maintain position "Up and Close".With spray breaking over the bow of the lifeboat the representatives were very grateful for their full upper body waterproof rig. 



40th Ball Fun had by all. 
Monday 10th August 2009

Saturday saw our 40th Anniversary summer 60's ball at the Ocean room, Gorleston. Despite a slight hitch with the lead guitarist of the original band "doing his back in."

A replacement band was found and I think I am fairly safe to say that a good time was had by all.

The ball although intended as a fun event so raised over £700 from the raffle,a picture was auctioned and raised £340 and an overall £1500 was raised from the event itself......Many thanks to those who attended,our sponsors and the many people who donated prizes



Search for missing swimmer 
Thursday 6th August 2009

The Bernard Matthews was called out to assist in a search for a missing swimmer...a second swimmer returned to the beach but a multi agency beach and sea search was unsuccessful ...... after hours of searching the Coastguards called off the search for 24 hours when the coastal strip between Caister On Sea and Scratby will again be subject to detailed searches.

The sea was calm but the Coastguard confirmed there had been strong currents some 30 meters off the beach. 



Our Annual Fete
Thursday 6th August 2009

What a day....the weather was very kind..hot but breezy.

The adjoining car park was full all day with visitors stopping off at the Lifeboat sheds on the way to the beach. Lots of fun and games. very popular was a climb aboard the Bernard Matthews and a visit into the old shed to savour our history.

Food was provided outside by the crew...traditional herring, burgers and chips...inside our team were serving tea and coffees.. our famous cake and butty stall was swamped smoelling uthwatering delights

The local model boat club entertained with boats and a radio controlled swan?

The Bouncy castle was well received and archery was a wow with many.

Our own clothing and souveneirs sold well.We launched our new all weather jacket and only had two left at the end of the day.Memo pads,pens and pencils all sold well.

The Beach became packed for the Launch of both our lifeboats with a special trill for some luck locals who were aboard to experience their ride of a lifetime out to the windfarm.

Thanks to every one who came [some of you from far away.]and those who helped to make the day a success.




Songs of Praise
 
Wednesday 29th July 2009

Over 100 supporters attended a Songs of Praise event in the Skipper Woodhouse Shed on Sunday. The Singing was led by the Mayor and Mayoress and everyone was encouraged by Lifeboat Director the Rev Tim Thompson. With the Bernard Matthews "Parked " on the apron the main front doors were left wide open to enable the songs to be enjoyed by others on the beach.

The event was supported by the Young Crew who also were introduced to the Mayor and Mayoress



Body Shop Pamper event 
Sunday 12th July 2009

The Body Shop is presenting a "Just in Time for Christmas" Body Shop Pamper event in aid of the Lifeboat on the 19th November at the Burlinton/Palm Court Hotel starting at 7pm.An early date for your diary before it becomes too full...an event not to miss...both ladies and gents welcome to come along 




A date for your diary..18th October 2009 
Saturday 4th July 2009

The Caister Volunteer lifeboat service will be celebrating its 40th anniversary as an Independent Lifeboat on the 18th October 2009. There will be a Thanksgiving and Blessing of the present crew and boat in the Skipper Woodhouse lifeboat shed followed by a formal sit down lunch. Obviously attendance at the event is by invitation and there are limited places for the lunch so if you wish to request a seat please send us a Cheque at the lifeboat station for £15.00 per person. we will write back with a receipt to confirm your place with times and more details.



The Rescues of the Caister Lifeboat -Limited Edition 
Saturday 4th July 2009

The Rescues of the Caister Lifeboats by Mick Bensley, introduced by Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff, is a collection of over forty exciting watercolours and pastels reconstructing our most notable and dramatic rescues. The paintings and descriptions cover a period of over 150 years from the daring rescues by" sail and oar" from the brig"Prophete" in 1858 to the dramatic rescues by our motor lifeboats of more recent times. The book is a tremendous tribute to the heroic exploits and the selfless determination of the Caister Lifeboat men who famously "Never turn back". This limited edition could belong to you by sending us a cheque made out to the Caister Volunteer Rescue Service for £33.00, [or a larger donation], to cover the cost of the book and postage in the UK. Please see our Contact page for our lifeboat station address etc



Jet Ski Run 
Sunday 31st May 2009

The ILB, Jim Davison OBE provided safety boat cover for a charity jetski rally.

The rally involved 100 jetskis travelling 100km each raising a minimum of £100 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The run started at Sea Palling and head down towards Great Yarmouth where the rally met the Lord Mayor Tony Smith and Cllr Bert Colllins. The rally then returned to Sea Palling for refuel and refreshments. Skis then departed to Cromer to meet the Deputy Lord Mayor and then return to Sea Palling for on land events.

During the run a jet ski suffered engine cooling problems and had to withdraw at Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth. The ILB transfer the skier and returned to Caister beach with a Caister beach crew recovering the Jet Ski and transporting to Caister.




Training Excercise 
Sunday 24th May 2009

Both boats launched on exercise just after 10.00am

On board we had some new scramble nets to try out which we did using our trainee crew as Men overboard.

The youngsters were dropped off the back of the ALB whilst doing about 12 knots then we circled around to pick them up.

The lads had to be conscious casualties and unconscious to use the nets as we would in real life. Unfortunately the Coxswain would not allow us to knock them out so the lads just had to pretend.

We also used our nets on another vessel which was very successful for us but a bit uncomfortable for Danny Gibson. 

Transfers were done between ILB and ALB as well as coming alongside another vessel.

The ILB also towed the ALB for a short distance and then a Tow was done the other way with the ILB under tow.

Below are some nice shots of the ILB following the ALB.





New Cranes For Outer Harbour Spotted
Wednesday 29th April 2009

Crewman Paul Garrod and Crewman Jason Delf went on a training exercise on the ILB today.

Using a position and heading taken from the AIS chart displayed on the screen in the main lifeboat shed they proceeded to a position approximately 6 miles East off Hopton and located the target vessel carrying the two container lifting cranes for the new Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour. The vessel also contained two further cranes destined for Egypt.



Combined Independent Lifeboats Training 
Sunday 5th April 2009

Both the Caister Lifeboat and Caister ILB were launched 5/4/09 on excersise. We were joined by Hemsby, Sea Palling and Munsley ILB's to search for a dummy that had been position approx 7 miles of the coast at Winterton an hour and a half before we were all launched. We were given search patterns by the coastguards to try and find the dummy. After approx 30 mins of searching the Caister Lifeboat found the dummy. We were praised on the precision of our search patterns by the coastguards who were watching us on the AIS tracking system.


Christmas Party 
Friday 5th December 2008

We had the crew christmas party last night and would like to thank Paul Garrod at the Furzedown for the food, Shaun at the Mariners for the quality beer and John Beresford and Peter Lawson at Eon for the drinks. Cheers.