THE search and rescue helicopter from Chivenor, operated by A-flight of the 22 Squadron, had its last visit to Bude Lifeboat Day on Monday.
Bude lifeboat demonstrated its capabilities with the search and rescue helicopter along with the crew from Padstow, who also joined in the demonstration, one of the highlights of lifeboat day, with its all-weather lifeboat.
The demonstration scenario involved winching crew members off various points to show the winching capabilities, before the helicopter was called out just before a final flyby.
“The charity table top sale on Saturday was well attended as was the quiz and music evening. I have never seen so many people at our children’s disco on Sunday.
“Excitement rose as the lifeboat crew answered their pagers for the second time that day and in a brilliant piece of co-ordination between lifeguards and lifeboat rescued a family of five who despite their vigilance were cut off by the very big tide and clinging to rocks. This was a reminder of why we support the RNLI.”
On lifeboat day itself, Mr Finn added: “The ever popular search and rescue demonstration had something extra this year. It included the last visit to lifeboat day by the Sea King Helicopter from RAF Chivenor, which gave a wonderful display of skill as it exercised with both lifeboats and picked up a ‘swimmer’ from the sea. Everyone waved a nostalgic goodbye to Rescue 22, which has recued so many people and whose functions are to be privatised later this year.”
Mr Finn said ‘thousands’ of visitors turned up for the day, with ‘every event supported by an enthusiastic crowd’.
For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.