Author Archives: colin

Lands End to John O’Groats

Posted on by August 20, 2017

Local man Phil Martel and his daughter Jodie are joined by 2nd Coxswain Jason Norman and Assistant Mechanic Linden Galsworthy aboard our St Peter Port Lifeboat “Spirit of Guernsey”.

Phil will attempt to ride the 994 mile Lands End to John O’Groats between 9th – 17th September this year raising money for our Lifeboat Station.

Pic by Tony Rive 12-07-17
Local Cyclist Phil Martel with his Bucket Shaking Daughter Jodie aboard the Local Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey.
Between 9th and 17th September this year, Phil will attempt to ride between Lands End to John O’ Groats. Phil will be raising money for the Local Lifeboat Station.

Pic by Tony Rive 12-07-17
Local Cyclist Phil Martel (holding his bike) with his Daughter Jodie accompanied by Local 2nd Coxswain Jason Norman (L) and Assistant Mechanic Linden Galsworthy (R) aboard the local Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey.
Between September 9th-17th this year, Phil is going to attempt the 994 mile Ride from Lands End to John 0’Groats raising money for the Local RNLI Station.

Avanti

Posted on by August 20, 2017

The St Peter Port Lifeboat was tasked yesterday afternoon to go to the assistance of a 31’ vessel “Avanti” which was experiencing fuel problems, with 6 persons on board, 5 miles North of Guernsey. The Spirit of Guernsey was on exercise in the Little Russel when it was diverted to assist Avanti at 13:30. The lifeboat was on scene at 14:20 and took over casualty in tow, arriving safely back at St Peter Port at 14:55.

Pic by Tony Rive 10-07-17
The Guernsey Harbours Marina Dory alongside the Alderney registered Angling Vessel Avante after the vessel had been towed into St Peter Port harbour by our Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey.
The veesel was then taken to number 1 Ro- Ro Ramp.

Pic by Tony Rive 10-07-17
The Alderney registered Angling Charters vessel Avante moored alongside number 1 Ro-Ro ramp after being towed into St Peter Port by Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey.

Pic by Tony Rive 10-07-17
Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey arriving at St Peter Port harbour towing the Alderney registered Angling Charters vessel Avante which had broken down north of Herm whilst on passage from the northern Isle to Guernsey.

Pic by Tony Rive 10-07-17
Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey heads north up the Little Russel at Full speed to rendezvous with the Alderney registered Angling Charters vessel Avante which was in need of assistance whilst on passage to St Peter Port.

St Peter Port Lifeboat, “The Spirit of Guernsey”, and Channel Islands Air Search Investigate Reports of a Potential Grounding at Speed

Posted on by July 11, 2017

Late yesterday afternoon (Friday) at 1628, Guernsey Coastguard received a telephone call from a member of the public concerned that they had seen a small boat strike rocks, at speed, northwest of Chouet.

The St Peter Port Lifeboat and Channel Islands Air Search were tasked with searching the area for any signs of wreckage or people in the water.

After a thorough search of the area and with favourable tide, wind and visibility it became clear that there was no one in danger in the vicinity.

St Peter Port Lifeboat and Channel Islands Air Search were stood down at 1805.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
The St Peter Port Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey searching for a possible missing boat and Person(s) north of Grand Rocques after reports from people ashore that a small white boat had hit rocks and disappeared from view about 1 mile north of Rousse Headland.
Airsearch 1 also conducted a search of Guernsey’s north coast before returning to the Airport for a Crew Change.
Both Search Parties were stood down before Airsearch 1 left the airport with its fresh crew as it was though, the report had been a False Alarm with Good Intent.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
The St Peter Port Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey rolls in the Moderate Sea conditions off Grand Rocques during a search for a missing boat and Person (s) after a report from people ashore in Guernsey a Boat had hit ruck’s and disappeared from view.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Lifeboatmen aboard Spirit of Guernsey look towards the shoreline at Grand Rocques for any sign of a missing boat or People ashore following report’s from 3 people that a White boat had hit rocks off Guernsey’s Northwest coast and sunk.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Lifeboatmen lookout towards the Shoreline at Grand Rocques after a report from ashore that a small White boat had his rock’s about 1 mile north of Rousse Headland and disappeared from view. With the tide falling and tidal stream heading West, the Lifeboat searched from outside Rousse/Grand Harve Harbour to Grand Rocques for any sign of the boat or Person’s.
Nothing was found.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Six Lifeboatmen plus their Coxswain on the Flybridge of Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey plus one on the Aft Deck during a search for a boat or wreckage and Person(s) in the water or on shore near Grand Rocques. Nothing was found or spotted before the Lifeboat returned to St Peter Port harbour.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey at speed passing La Platte Beacon in the Little Russel as it returns to St Peter Port Harbour following a False Alarm Air and Sea Search off Guernsey’s Northwest coast.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey passing Bordeaux on its way back to St Peter Port Harbour following an Air and Sea Search off Guernsey’s Northwest coast.

“The Spirit of Guernsey”  launched to carry out a search for two persons believed to be missing overboard from a yacht on the west coast of Sark

Posted on by July 11, 2017

0056 A call was received by Guernsey Coastguard from a yacht on the west coast of Sark that they had lost two crew members overboard.

0057 Lifeboat Red

0108 Yacht confirms they still have two persons missing overboard

0113 Lifeboat at Pierheads proceeding to the passage between Sark + Breqhou (Gouillot Passage) to commence search

0114 Local craft Access Challenger (Buz White) proceeding to assist search.

0116 Additional assets requested, Flying Christine lll, Leopardess, Sarnia, Breqhou Chief, . All requested assets arranging crews and proceeding, except for Breqhou craft that was unavailable.

0129 Lifeboat on scene commencing search north of the Gouillot Passage

0131 Contact made with ATC advising them that Airsearch, may be required at 0430 ( first light )

0136 Sark Sea-fisheries launched to assist in the search.

0140 Lifeboat in Harve Goselin, communicating with casualty, appears that missing persons are on shore. Sark Constable to confirm. “Y” Boat from the Spirit of Guernsey being prepared to proceed ashore to retrieve casualties.

0146 FClll proceeding to Sark.  Liaising with Spirit of Guernsey as “On Scene Commander”. Sarnia + Leopardess standing by to proceed.

0201 All crew from yacht “Microbe” (Casualty) Accounted for. No medical issues. All assets stood down and returning to St Peter Port.

0236 “Spirit of Guernsey” arrives back in St Peter Port. All assets stood down.

Guernsey Search and Rescue Services are very grateful to all parties who participated in this incident, for their time and commitment, which fortunately resulted in a successful outcome but could easily have been; in other circumstances a tragedy. 

“St Peter Port Lifeboat” launched to assist yacht

Posted on by May 28, 2017

At 07:17 on Sunday 28th May, Guernsey Coastguard received a call from the yacht “Lady in Red” 1 nm northeast of Guernsey with a rope around the propeller.
The Spirit of Guernsey departed St Peter Port at 07:55 and found the yacht with (1) crew member on board at 08:12.
The Lifeboat was able to cut the yacht free before towing the casualty to St Peter Port Harbour arriving at 09:05.

“St Peter Port Lifeboat” launched to assist Local fishing vessel

Posted on by July 1, 2017

At 06:17 on Saturday 27th May, Guernsey Coastguard received a call from the local fishing vessel “Sandra J” the vessel was just south of Guernsey with a rope around the propeller.
The Spirit of Guernsey departed St Peter Port at 06:45 and found the casualty off Jerbourg point with (2) crew on board at 06:57.
The Lifeboat was able to cut the rope then towed the vessel back to St Peter Port harbour arriving at 07:37.