Aussie Boat for the ‘Knap’

Friday, 2^nd September, saw the Rhondda Lifeguards based at Cold Knap, launch their new Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB). The IRB was imported from Australia, where it was designed specifically for use by Beach Lifeguards and has the added safety feature for rescuing swimmers, a propeller guard. Club Secretary, IRB Officer, Alun Humphreys informed the guests, there is currently only one other Achilles IRB in the United Kingdom, stationed at the lifeguard unit based on Whitesands Beach, St Davids and stated that this IRB will be used by the younger lifeguards, on weekends and Club training evenings from May to October. As well as being used for patrol and rescue purposes, it will also be used to provide safety cover at many events throughout Wales.  

 

The IRB and launching trailer, which cost over £7,000, was purchased with a major grant from the Communities First Trust Fund, as well as financial support from Surf Lifesaving Wales with the Sports Safety Grant, South Wales Police and the Rhondda Rotary Club. The Lifeguard Club was founded in 1962 in the Rhondda and still has a strong presence within the Objective One Communities First Areas of RCT.

 

Club Chairwoman, Mavis Ward, welcomed the guests, Christine Jobber, Area Regeneration Co-ordinator, Wendy Rees, Co-ordinator, Sarah Jenkins and Louise McGovern Development Workers, all from RCT Communities First, Peter Lake, Surf Lifesaving Wales, Orville and Glenis Jones, Royal Life Saving Society, Jeff Coweland and Barry Hall, Rhondda Rotary Club and Councillor Steffan Wiliam and Emma Smith, Vale of Glamorgan Council.

 

Christine Jobber, who named the IRB, ‘Community First’, performed the launching ceremony. Then over 50 guests and members were treated to a display of lifesaving rescue skills, first by the younger members of the Club using ‘Nipper Boards’, then by lifeguard Laura Owen demonstrating rescuing a tired swimmer on a Malibu Rescue board and finally lifeguards Kane Lambourne and Lawrence Sherwood using the new IRB to rescue club member, Geraint Rees (the noisiest would-be-drowner of the night!). All rescue were loudly applauded by the large crowd of observing

spectators. 

 

On behalf of the Club, Mavis Ward thanked all organisations for their support in this project, which will enable the lifeguards at the ‘Knap’ to provide a better and safer service to the community that they serve.

 

Three of the young lifesavers, Geraint Rees, Dave Crews and Lawrence Sherwood, whilst practising for the launching ceremony on Thursday afternoon, managed to rescue a windsurfer whose sail mast had broken and was drifting off-shore. The coastguard was also in attendance.