Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 87
on the water
Island Life - December 2010
Photo: Left: Mark Birch (Head Coxswain).
Above: Search & Rescue display at Sandown
Regatta.
Photo: Coming to the aid of a dismasted yacht during the Round the Island Yacht race (off Ventnor)
will be built on land adjacent to the current
day they disappeared, and were then back
one. But that could still be at least two years
out at dawn for a further seven-hour stint.
away.
They recovered one body, and a second was
Meanwhile, Mark and his crew operate from
their cramped station, meeting once a week
washed ashore some days later.
Thankfully for each mission that ends in
for practice, then downing tools and racing
tragedy, there are many that end in triumph.
back there when the emergency call comes
Mark recalls: “Once a couple rushed into the
in. Sandown alone answer up to 50 calls a
station to say their nine-year-old daughter
year. They can vary from people getting into
had been swept out to sea on a rubber ring.
difficulty on inflatables, divers going missing,
We launched, and eventually found her
mechanical breakdowns, adventurers getting
detached from the ring and about a foot
caught on the cliffs when the tide comes in,
under the water, eyes wide open and in a
and even stranded dolphins.
poorly condition.
“The sea has to be treated with respect,
“We managed to haul her on to our boat
but too many take in for granted,” said
and give her first aid to bring her back to
Mark. “You often find holidaymakers coming
life. She was taken to hospital by ambulance
down with their little boats, but with no real
to get checked over, and to our surprise,
knowledge of the sea and then getting into
later that day she and her parents came back
difficulty.”
to the station to thank us for saving her life.
Sometimes with tragic consequences.
“It is times like that, when people come
Sadly, one such case was highlighted when
back to say thank you, and often make
a couple were swept out to sea off Culver
a donation, that gives us the greatest
Down three years ago. Mark and his crew
satisfaction of all, and makes the job so
spent 13 hours searching for them on the
worthwhile.”
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