The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, “the charity that saves lives at sea” has rescued over 140,000 souls since 1824. On Christmas Day we saw the Looe team turn out for a practice run in stormy seas. Here they are being launched from the sea tractor. Hats off to them is all I can say. Oh yes, and a very big THANK YOU.
And safely back to base…
Tish Farrell 
Wow, that tractor is very cool! Thanks to all first responders of whatever type.
janet
I thought the tractor was amazing, and at one point the driver looked to be nearly submerged, which was a bit hair-raising.
A practice run on Christmas Day – that’s devotion. And their rescue statistics are awe-inspiring. They work against a lovely hillside background too.
Seconded
Totally endorse your sentiment Tish. Our coastguard and surf lifesavers are so busy at the moment. Their resources are stretched to breaking and yet they carry on saving lives and when that’s not possible, bringing bodies back to grieving families. Way too many of those this Christmas I’m afraid!
Yes, hats off to the RNLI, and, like Su, I am also thinking of our own lifeguards and coastguards this summer.
A truly dedicated bunch, Su.
I did a post about the Exmouth lifeboat back in October, aren’t they guys just amazing? 🙂
Absolutely they are.
They get a cheer from this end!!
Such brave people and are they volunteers? I hope they get all the support they deserve.
Yes, I think it is largely manned by volunteers. They are of course treasured locally, but the rest of us tend not to think of them unless we’re on holiday. At the moment many teams, including ones from Cornwall are helping out with the clearing up in Lancs and Yorks where there are awful floods.
Like our surf savers…