Oldenberg Rescue Exercise
On a damp Thursday evening the Ilfracombe & Appledore lifeboats rescued 50 people from a burning and sinking Oldenburg, the supply ship for Lundy Island.  Fortunately the Oldenburg was tied up against Ilfracombe Pier at the time and the exercise was (mostly) without danger.  The rescuees were supplied by St John Ambulance Ilfracombe Cadets, Ilfracombe Sea Cadets and various innocent bystanders such as myself.  The exercise also included the Fire Brigade, Ambulance and Coastguard services.
Ilfracombe Lifeboat Ilfracombe Lifeboat Appledore Lifeboat taking off passengers St John Ambulance Cadets Ilfracombe Lifeboat crew
Firemen boarding from the lifeboat Calm passengers Ilfracombe Lifeboat with rescued passengers The Oldenberg Passengers waiting to be rescued

Clicking on a thumbnail picture will open a larger version in a new window