03 Sep 2014

Big Shed Cleanup

Woodhouse Boat House a 'late summer clean'... the first since it was built 10 years ago!

Thick with cobwebs between the steel beams and across great areas of the ceiling 'lantern' it took three crew more than two hours just to do the highest parts of the roof area.

Hundreds of dead insects lined the window ledges too.

It's hoped that other areas can be accessed more easily, but the results so far are clearly visible from the ground.

The crew who manned the 'cherry picker' access platform - Andrew Turner, Johnny Banyard and Adam Pimble also cleaned the windows at the upper level, which will allow more sunlight into the boat shed.

More concerning though, they found a couple of stone chips in the outer skin of the double-glazing sealed units, a possible sign of vandalism.

Next time you visit, look up - either you'll notice how much better it looks, or will be able to point out a bit that's been missed! 

23 Aug 2014

Inshore boat rescues an escaped dog

Caister lifeboatmen have been praised for launching the inshore lifeboat Fred Dyble to rescue an adventurous dog that swam a quarter of a mile out to sea.

Ruby, the water-loving Labrador, who lives with owners Ann and Norman Hughes in Filby, slipped her collar and prompted a full scale rescue off Caister beach this morning.

The four-year-old dog often goes swimming on a long lead but went further than her family expected sending them into a panic as she swam further and further out into the freezing North Sea.

In a seperate incident the Inshore Tractor was sent to the aid of a boat on a trailer that had got trapped by the incoming tide.

04 Aug 2014

2014 Annual Fete

BIG THANKS to everyone!!

We've smashed our fete profits this year... the busiest (and we think best) ever! Thanks to all the visitors and businesses that supported us, helping us make almost £14,200 profit. THAT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!

Bob did a sterling job, and for the first time raised over £1k. The tombola did a similar amount, the big prize raffle made almost £1.3k and the burger and hot dog stall was up by several hundred on last year (without increasing prices!) 

This reflected all the effort and hard work of our crew and supporters, and the loyal following we have with our visitors and the businesses that donate goods and prizes to us! We couldn't have done it without all this help and goodwill.

17 Feb 2014

New Inshore Extension awaits The Fred Dyble

The builders have gone and the site and extension made secure and ready for the relocation of the inshore boat the Fred Dyble. Another milestone that will make the launching and maintenance of both boats that much easier and quicker.

19 Dec 2013

Cheque and Turkeys from Bernard Matthews

Andrew Sherwood the HR Director of Bernard Matthews personally delivered Turkeys to the Crew of Caister Lifeboat yesterday, together with a cheque for £1200 which was how much they saved by sending out e-cards to suppliers and customers.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All at Bernard Matthews from all at Caister Lifeboat.

13 Oct 2013

Donation pays for defibrillator on Caister Lifeboat

A £2,000 donation has paid for a life-saving defibrillator to be fitted to the Caister Lifeboat. It means the crew of the Bernard Matthews II all-weather lifeboat have a better chance of helping anyone at sea who has suffered a heart attack.

Previously the devices, which administer a shock to the heart to restart a rhythm, were seen as unsafe because of the risk of it getting wet. But new technology means the kit is fully waterproof and absolutely safe to use at sea. Lifeboat coxswain Paul Williams said he was really grateful for the anonymous donation. 

"You never know what emergency you might be called to, and what medical equipment you may need," he said. "Defibrillators are everywhere in communities these days, so it makes perfect sense to have one on the boat." The cost includes specialist training for the crew to use the equipment, which also has on-screen and speech-prompt instructions. There are also interchangeable pads to suit an adult or child patient who has suffered cardiac arrest. It also has the ability to detect the faintest pulse to ensure a shock cannot be administered incorrectly.

Lifeboat chairman Paul Garrod said he and the crew expressed thanks for the donation, but added the donor wants to remain anonymous. "They're really pleased that the money has given us a better chance to help save lives at sea or on the beach at Caister. "They've been our supporters for many years and it means a lot to us when people generously make a donation which means we can make a real difference."

04 Oct 2013

Harry Pasco aged 99

Caister Lifeboat Veteran dies.

The Caister Lifeboat team regret to announce the death of retired crew member Harry Pascoe at the age of 99. Harry moved to Caister in 1956 to take up the post of Head Teacher at the brand new Caister Secondary Modern School. He soon became involved in the activities of the village and the county and not surprisingly joined the lifeboat crew.

Harry, as was his nature, was a very active ‘character’ in the village and was instrumental in the present volunteer lifeboat charity obtaining its first lifeboat after the RNLI had withdrawn their boat from Caister in 1969. 

From the Eastern Evening News, April 16th 1970. 

PUPILS RAISE £1200.

A FULLY-EQUIPPED inshore lifeboat was presented to Caister Volunteer Rescue Service today by the pupils of Caister Secondary Modern School, who also presented a cheque for £750 to theYarmouthand District branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Mr Pascoe, Head Teacher, making the presentation on behalf of the school suggested that the rescue boat should be named the ‘Never Turn Back’

He said the £750 would pay for the full training of three guide dogs. The money for the gifts ~ some £1200 ~ was raised by a sponsored walk in March.

The boat is complete with engine and waterproof suits for the crew, who attended the presentation. Praising the schoolchildren’s efforts Mr Pascoe said ‘I want to remind my generation, and those rather younger of what the youngest generation of teenagers has done for them. I think they have set us a wonderful example.


8 Sep 2013

Sunshine,Sand and Seals September 2013

How lovely it was to see lots of people enjoying themselves on Caister beach in the wonderful weather we have been blessed with this summer ~ just like when we were kids. It is interesting to see the differences; where-as we just had a bottle of water they have cooler bags, pop-up tents, folding chairs and colourful windbreaks and umbrellas; children have beach ware and sun creams designed to protect them against the strongest rays (of sunshine); we had none of these things, even in some cases knitted swimming costumes, yes knitted, but I can’t remember anyone getting sunburnt writes secretary Derek George.

From the lifeboat point of view it is comforting to know the Coast Watch team are ‘keeping their eye on’ members of the public in the immediate area of the lifeboat station and have had cause to call the inshore boat a couple of times. The inshore lifeboat Fred Dyble was launched twice on Sunday (1st September) to the same kayak which was feared to be in trouble close to the wind farm; firstly he declined help but a couple of hours later asked for help and on Tuesday 3rd to a dingy off Scratby and the crew carried out a further ‘advisory’ rescue on the way home. The service is not exclusive to humans; the ILB was called to rescue a deaf dog which had swum out its depth off Caister Camp and ferried staff out to the sandbank to rescue a seal trapped in fishing nets.

The all weather lifeboat Bernard Matthews ll was called to the yacht Zigzu which was in difficulty 3 miles off Winterton on 22nd August. The yacht, a 37foot vessel weighing some 13 tonnes had suffered a broken water pipe and could not use her engine and with no wind was unable to use her sail. She asked to be towed to Wells but Coastguards requested she be towed toLowestoft where there were better facilities. The tow, against a stiff tide, was restricted to some five knots however the return passage was considerably quicker.

The Caister team were extremely disappointed not to be called to the incident in which a diver unfortunately died off Winterton on Friday 30thAugust and have requested a meeting with Humber Coastguard for an explanation as to why the Gorleston boat was called despite the fact that the Caister lifeboat was six miles nearer the incident and faster by 10 knots which would have made a difference of some 30+ minutes arrival at the scene.

On a happier note what wonderful day ‘fete’ day turned out to be? The media and our organisers had done a wonderful job publicising the event; our supporters had been most generous providing excellent raffle and other prizes; the bouncy castles kept the young people amused, the beer was chilled and above all the weather was perfect. Attendance was certainly a record as were the takings on the day, exceeding £13,000, the best ever. The directors and crew would like to thank everybody who helped, donated or supported the fete day in any way however small.

It may seem to readers that fund raising is foremost on the lifeboat team’s agenda but apart from the £3000 per week needed to maintain the service provided to mariners the unexpected is always around the corner. One of the tracks on the CAT launch tractor was damaged by a flint trapped in one of the driving wheels which necessitated an immediate replacement; cost just over £10,000.

It is hoped work will commence on the new inshore lifeboat shed in September which when finished will relieve the very cramped conditions in the Skipper Woodhouse boatshed which is currently housing both lifeboats. These cramped conditions do not lend themselves to speedy launch times.

Derek George, September 2013

23 Aug 2013

Following a call from the coastguard the Offshore lifeboat attended the yacht Zigzu which was stranded about a mile offshore. After putting crew aboard the Zigzu was towed the seven miles south to Lowestoft Harbour.



19 Aug 2013

Monday Night Training

17 Aug 2013

A Thank You Message

How lovely to be thanked... we've had an email from the Seal and Bird Rescue Trust, who we helped last week to rescue a seal trapped in fishing nets, stranded on Scroby Sands.
 
"On behalf of the SBRT I would like to once again thank you, and your dedicated team at Caister Lifeboat, for helping us with the seal at Scroby Sands. As is sometimes the case, wild animals require attention in locations ...which are difficult to gain access etc. The efforts of you and your crew made our work more efficient, and show what can be done when organisations work together. We have had very good feedback from people, as a result of the events being reported in the press etc."

17 Aug 2013

Looking out to sea

It is unusual to have a photograph looking out to sea. This shot shows both our lifeboat sheds against the background of the Sea and the Windfarm.

02 Aug 2013

Annual Beach Fete 4th August 2013 

Many businesses are donating prizes for our fete... Silver Slipper Arcade, The Waterside at Rollesby, Richardson's Holidays of Stalham, Yarmouth Stadium Raceview Restaurant and Greyhound Racing, St George's Theatre in Gt Yarmouth, BBC Norwich studio tour with meal at Pizza Express at the Forum... and the list is growing!

Want to win a HOLIDAY? We've got three holiday breaks. Richardson's of Stalham have given us a week on a boat on the Norfolk Broads, the boutique hotel Satis House in Suffolk has offered a weekend break and Haven Holidays has donated a three-day weekend or four-day mid-week break at their Caister Holiday Park. WIN WIN WIN!

We have masses of giant cuddly toys for prizes at this year's Caister Lifeboat Fete. We've had some amazing support for our raffle and tombola prizes this year... Haven Holidays, Satis House Hotel, HB Leisure, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Greater Anglia trains, Brandon Lewis MP, The Dining Room, Hippodrome Circus, Saks Hair Salon, Merrivale Model Village, Pub on the Prom have all donated fantastic - and we're still working with other people and businesses on more!

Thanks to everyone for their generous support and for continuing to support us.

01 Jul 2013

A part year report July 2013

The beer festival held over the weekend of 14th/16th June was again hailed a success and plans are already in hand for next year’s festival. Unfortunately the Iceni/schools concert had to be cancelled but it is hoped a similar community event will be hosted in October. The Celebration of Christmas concert is planned for December 15th 2013.

Fund raising is a constant agenda at the station and the team cannot afford to relax despite the generosity of the public. The recent refit to the all weather lifeboat Bernard Matthews and the acquisition of a new inshore lifeboat and tractor has broken the back of £200,000 whilst a further six figure sum will be required to pay for the inshore lifeboat shed which should start construction in August.

Despite our bond with water recent fund raising events have featured land and wheels. The station again hosted the early morning gathering and breakfast of the MG Owners club earlier in the year and has since received a very generous donation from the club Members. A photo shoot for the scooter boys followed a few weeks later to promote their rally in Great Yarmouth on 13th to 15th September.

Neil Dyble, a nephew of Fred Dyble in memory of whom the new inshore lifeboat was named, and his wife Michaela will be driving a VW golf from Ormesby to Monte Carlo. A very special passenger will accompany them namely a teddy named Skipper (after Skipper Woodhouse of course) dressed in his ever present sou’wester. The rules state that the car must cost less than £250 and Neil, a garage owner himself, is confident the Golf will cope with the 1000 mile journey through France and Switzerland to Monte Carlo. The event is not a race but a challenge and an opportunity to seek sponsorship for charities. There are some 75 teams taking part who are meeting in France following the Channel crossing for joint ‘do’ before continuing the four day journey toMonte Carlo.

Finally both lifeboats were on exercise this Sunday (7th July) when a call from HM Coastguard had them heading north at all speed. The incident was reported to be off Caister Camp but it turned out to beCalifornia. The casualty turned out to be a golden retriever dog that was deaf and had swam well out of his depth. Whilst the crew were unable to get him aboard they were able to assist him ashore.

13 May 2013

Final Farewell to First Coxswain

Today Members of the Caister Volunteer Lifeboat said Farewell to our First Independent Coxswain.



02 May 2013

New Lifeboat Named

The new Inshore Lifeboat named the Fred Dyble by HRH Princess Anne on the 30th April 2013. The new plotter and binoculars were presented to the crew.

17 Apr 2013

Princess Royal to Name new ILB

As part of her visit to Great Yarmouth the Princess Royal will be naming our new ILB at 14.00 hrs on Tuesday 30th April.