Cromarty Archive

Lifeboat Trip during the Regatta - 1960

Lifeboat Trip during the Regatta - 1960

Date Added: 08 February 2006 Contributor: Avoch Heritage Association Year: 1960 Picture No: 1541

Albums: Galas and Regattas

Groups: Cromarty Lifeboats

6 Comments

It's great to see this - something which has now had to stop for Health and Safety and risk factor reasons. For many holidaymakers especially, a trip like this was often the highlight of their holiday. Comment left on 28 March 2006 at 10:21 by Campbell Ross
Campbell, my father loved Regatta day in the past, to acertain whether the design limits of 95 survivors
for this Watson type lifeboat could be achieved. The only stipulation was that all those on the starboard side fore'hd of the wheelhouse would kneel down. So by deduction this is slow astern! I too am grateful to Avoch Heritage Association for this, now nostalgic photograph.
Comment left on 28 March 2006 at 22:56 by Clem Watson
Clem, I could never work out whether your father just liked the people kneeling down in front of him, or that the RNLI wouldn't pay for a box for him to stand on so he could see where he was going with all that people!! Although 95 was the design limit for this type of boat, it was superceded occasionally. Torbay lifeboat rescued 126 passengers in a single "shout" from the ferry "Western Lady" in 1968. Comment left on 29 March 2006 at 13:13 by Campbell Ross
I recall the RNLI stats on the type, looking for 110 survivors in smooth water, and 95 in rough. There would be a few weet sarks, above a Force 5, for the outside walking wounded, but at least they know they were in safe hands! Comment left on 29 March 2006 at 17:47 by Clem Watson
Clem, seeing Campbell's comment here, I'm sure there was box that your Father stood on, or maybe he just let me stand on a box on one occasion during a service trip. We have Regatta Day and the Lifeboat trip caught on cine film circa 1964 vintage. I'll dig it out and have it put on CD, maybe Garve can stream it? Campbell's Father probably sent the film off to be developed! Happy days. Comment left on 30 March 2006 at 16:07 by Arthur Bird
Arthur, There actually was a raised platform, amidships, just aft of the 'wheel'. It would be good to see the CD you take from your '64 film footage. I have working drawings of the Lilla Marras at home here in Nairn, next time you're North, e-mail me, and I'll get a copy to you. Comment left on 31 March 2006 at 12:32 by Clem Watson
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