Training 13 September 2008

An interesting training day today. It was actually a Red Cross Day, and they turned up to the Cromarty links with vast arrays of equipment; comms vehicle, 4x4s, boats, ambulances – and even a hovercraft!

Other emergency services – the First Responders, Invergordon Lifeboat, Sea King 137, Highlands & Islands Fire Service (and us) also turned up.

Awful wet weather, but we rigged to practice immediate rescue outside the station.

Foul weather gear was definitely required.
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The Inverness team had also turned up with their swift water rescue gear. They got a chance for action as casualties for the Invergordon lifeboat, and some of the Red Cross rescue boats. Some of the Cromarty team went along as observers. Well, for a ride on the lifeboat anyway [It's a remarkable vessel, and well worth a visit on an open day].

The lifeboat, with usual RNLI/Coastguard humour took pleasure in giving the swimmers a ride with the wake, before recovering them.

While out on the practice, the lifeboat got a shout to assist a fishing boat into harbour.

Other team members visited the Red Cross comms vehicle; based on a Unimog chassis, it can run unaccompanied for 4 days, and handle about 17 seperate comms channels simultaneously – including air band, Coastguard, Red Cross, Mountain Rescue and Police. A startling site.

A good – though wet – days training.