Ryde Inshore Rescue has thanked construction workers who came to their aid after heavy rain washed away their launch slipway.
The independent rescue organisation issued a distress call of its own when the sand on which it relies to launch lifeboats was washed away – a problem that seems to be occurring ever more regularly.
Crown Park to the rescue
The call was answered by local construction company Crown Park who deployed machinery from the ongoing work on the nearby Ryde Interchange improvement project to move several tonnes of sand to reform the slipway area.
Farrell: We are extremely grateful to Crown Park
Ady Farrell, coxswain and treasurer at Ryde Inshore Rescue said,
“As you can imagine having no slipway from which to launch could be a real problem for us so we were delighted that the work crew was able to come and give us some emergency assistance.
“We are in the process of buying a plough which we can attach to our own tractor so in future we can do the work required ourselves. But in the meantime, we are extremely grateful to Crown Park for providing such swift and much-needed help.”
“We were more than happy to assist”
A Crown Park spokesperson said,
“Fortunately we had equipment on site nearby that was not being used at that time so when the call came in we were more than happy to assist. Ryde Inshore Rescue does a fantastic job and we’re pleased that were able to be there for them.”
Farrell: An expensive and complex project
Ady said that after several years of stability the sand slipway appeared to be washing away more frequently in recent years.
The most recent episode happened when torrents of water entered the beach via Appley Lane following particularly heavy rainfall.
“Ultimately the solution will be with a permanent hard standing of some sort which would be covered by sand to maintain the appearance of the beach. But that would be an expensive and complex project – we will have to continue the ‘make do and mend’ approach for the time being.”
Show your support or find out more
For further information on Ryde Inshore Rescue and to find out how you can support the organisation, please visit the Ryde Inshore Rescue Website.
News shared by Ady on behalf of Ryde Inshore Rescue. Ed
