Your Lifeboat
Meet Alexandra and her crew
The Boat
The lifeboat is a 6.5m rib, manufactured for us by Ribcraft. It’s equipped with two 90hp outboards and is designed to cope with the toughest conditions. The boat includes self-righting kit so in the unfortunate event of a capsize we are able to get back afloat.
On board the boat we have a comprehensive set of navigation and communication aids. We carry electronic plotters, radar and VHF radios. The crew use a wireless intercom system to talk to each other as once at sea it can be extremely noisy.
For rescue purposes we carry:
- A full first aid kit, including oxygen
- Fire extinguisher
- Equipment to rescue people from the water
- Towing equipment
- Thermal imaging camera – for searches in fog and at night
- Flares
Like all the Hope Cove Life Boats before it, our boat is named Alexandra. The current boat has been on service since 2013. It underwent a major refit in 2022 and we expect it to continue for another 5-7 years before being replaced.
The Crew
All our crew are local volunteers and are trained in first aid, sea survival, boat handling, communications and rescue techniques. The crew train at least one a week, all year round.
On the boat each crew member wears
- A drysuit to protect them from the elements
- A helmet with an integrated headset for our intercom
- A high capacity lifejacket, able to support the crew member and a casualty
- They also carry a radio and distress flares
Boat Crew roles
We can operate the lifeboat with a crew of 3 or 4, depending on the nature of a shout. Our crew are on call 24/7.
- Helm – drives the boat. Their job is to get us on scene quickly and safely. Often, but not always, the helm will take charge of the shout.
- Navigation and Communications – Nav and Comms for short – sitting in the front of the boat, Nav and Comms have the job of communicating with the 999 call-centre in Falmouth to understand the nature of a rescue. They may also be in communication with other agencies – cliff rescue teams or the rescue helicopter for example. They also have the job of navigating us to (and from) a rescue.
- Casualty Care – the crew sat in the back seats of the boat. They’ll take the lead in looking after the people we’re called to help. They’ll prepare any equipment we need and do whatever is required to get people home safely.
Launching the Lifeboat
Our lifeboat station is a short distance from the beach in Hope Cove, so launching is a complicated process. We have to clear the roads so that we can get to the water quickly and safely and for that we rely on our shore crew. If someone in a high viz jacket asks you to tuck out the way we’d really appreciate it if you help and listen to them.
Our launch tractor is actually a converted dumper truck, specially adapted for the job. Together with the boat and trailer, the launch rig weighs about 6 tonnes so driving it at launch is a highly skilled job. If you think you’ve got the skills to be a launch driver we’d love to hear from you.
Our Drive On Drive Off trailer makes for easy launch and recovery – as the trailer enters the water and the lifeboat starts to float we can power away, saving valuable time on a rescue. Recovery is a little more challenging. The helm has to judge the tide and swell before driving the lifeboat onto the trailer. But that’s not the end of the job. Once we’re back at the station we have to quite literally turn the boat around.
Please note: there is no sound on this video.