And ships. Lots of ships. Coming and going. I'll put a load up in a Views post, but today, let me share from a specific point of view. Lifeboats. I noted in the two and a half days I was parked up, the local RNLI boat was out and in several times. On the last return that I saw, it came in as fast as it went out, and all the crew were on deck... I fear there may have been a serious casualty aboard. Due to the amazing summer weather we'd been having, there were folk with no sense at all going out on the waves on paddle boards and other tiny, flatwater craft, or just swimming beyond their abilities, having no concept of the power of the North Sea currents in that particular stretch of coast.
Blessings upon these first responders of the sea, who are almost entirely volunteer crews.
As the larger ships passed, I noted some major differences in the lifeboats provided to the crews of those ships, according to the line they were sailing for. Take a look at this one on the Skandi Lifter...
There will be another on the other side of the bridge tower. Here's another that might take some effort to spot. This is the Shannon Fisher.
The Vestas line is clearly more up to date with their life craft - that's nearly as nifty as the RNLI's one!
Last of this little focus, here's a moving picture of the Loke... you'll see her lifeboat come into sight soon enough... again, there will be another on the other side of the vessel.
To round off this visit to Ferryden, here was a surprise I woke up to one morning...!!! I told The Grey not to get any ideas...
There are inshore and off-shore life boats - depends where the rescue has to take place. As for life boats on ships pray you never have to use one. Launching them has a tendancy to kill people - not often but often enough to know its a really dangerous operation (even a test launch in calm conditions within a port or harbour). Heaven help anyone launching in a maelstrom or departing a burning or severely listing ship.
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