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For NSRI volunteers, who are experts at launching their own rescue boat, who understand their own conditions and challenges, it is always interesting to see how other stations launch their boats.
And the challenges that they face.
John Costello, station commander at Port St Johns, put together some pictures and a short video clip of the river mouth in flood to show how they do it. The most difficult part of launching for a rescue is towing the boat through the town’s traffic to get to the slipway … and then maneuvering the boat and trailer into the launching bay.
The route through town that the volunteers take to get to the launch site.
Getting through traffic congestion on a call ...
Drive along road and the reverse into launch area.
Work their way through taxis to get to slipway...
The launch site when dry.
The slipway ends in about a meter of water, the end being jagged with protruding steel reinforcing and dropping the trailer off the end of this at low tides is clearly not to be recommended.
“As for the rest, the launch always stays interesting as does re-entering the river mouth on one’s return, says John.”
“What does add to the interest is conditions when the Umimvubu comes barreling down in a minor flood, and the entire river funnels through a narrow neck at one heck of a speed.”
Umimvubu river mouth after heavy rains.
River mouth during a minor flood.
River mouth after heavy rain.
River Mouth and Bay of Port St Johns.
Waiting to cross the bar.
John Costello at the helm of Freemason's Way returning home.
Wow! Pictures don’t do it much justice… Not an easy launch. Well Done Guys!
Nice to see the Landie in use
GOOD OLD LANDIE!