Western Lady Fairmile B’s

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   Hi all,
Just to let you know that I've added a short video of a trip aboard Western Lady III to 'Youtube'. The camera-work is a little shakey but I think you'll still enjoy it!
Just go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcT5HqXmLE
or follow the link from my website.
It's the trip from Brixham to Torquay (25-30 mins) condensed into 10 minutes and was taken in 2003 which was the last year the Ladies were allowed to land at the jetty on the outside wall of Princess Pier, Torquay. 
The jetty was condemned at the end of the season and during their last two years in service, the Ladies had to manouever inside the harbour to land - quite a mean feat for a 112 foot boat involving some very nifty skippering to turn her in her own length. Thank goodness for twin engines! Unfortunately, I don't have any video of that.
Regards,
Steve.

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stevep Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 July 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote stevep Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 March 2007 at 9:33am
	Hi all, Just to let you know that I've added a short video of a trip aboard Western Lady III to 'Youtube'. The camera-work is a little shakey but I think you'll still enjoy it! Just go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcT5HqXmLE or follow the link from my website. It's the trip from Brixham to Torquay (25-30 mins) condensed into 10 minutes and was taken in 2003 which was the last year the Ladies were allowed to land at the jetty on the outside wall of Princess Pier, Torquay. The jetty was condemned at the end of the season and during their last two years in service, the Ladies had to manouever inside the harbour to land - quite a mean feat for a 112 foot boat involving some very nifty skippering to turn her in her own length. Thank goodness for twin engines! Unfortunately, I don't have any video of that. Regards, Steve.

stevep Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 July 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote stevep Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 August 2007 at 10:30am
	Hi all, here is the latest news ... Western Lady III / RML497 is now operating from her new home in Swanage under the 'Fairmile Classic Cruises' banner and will be making trips along the Jurassic Coast plus some other services. There isn't much information on the Internet yet but no doubt that will change as soon as her new owners' publicity machine gathers speed. I recently received an extract from the memoirs of her wartime motor mechanic (1943-1945) which has been very kindly supplied by his Grandson. It is an absoulte treat to read and I have been granted permission to publish the extract on my site so please do take a look. Western Lady IV / RML526 will be leaving Torbay either Today (Sun 12/8/07) or Tomorrow, conditions permitting. She will be putting into Brixham to take on fuel then making a short tour of the bay as a parting salute before disappearing around Berry Head for the last time bound for Plymouth. She is now privately owned and no longer licensed to carry paying passengers but there will no doubt be some excellent photo opportunities if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. She is looking splendid in her new colours of Dark Blue and White. I hope to put some good quality photos on the site soon. Her new owner is very keen to collect any verifiable information of her wartime activitities so if you have anything, please drop me a line and I'll make sure it gets to him. I would also like to publish it on my site if possible. Western Lady I / RML535 sadly seems doomed to destruction in the near future. I will be shifting the focus of my website away from 'save the ladies' and more towards history and nostalgia but I will still endeavour to follow the ongoing stories of WL's III & IV plus other boats that have a connection with them. For the time being, the URL remains as ... http://www.savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Thanks very much indeed to all here who have shown an interest in the fate of the UK's last two fully operational Fairmile B Rescue Motor Launches. Long may they endure! Regards, Steve Powell. Edited by stevep

johnk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 March 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1355	Post Options Post Reply Quote johnk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 August 2007 at 4:14pm
	Hi Steve, Great update re the WLs, I think a great success in saving and preserving these craft, shame about WL1 but as much discussed if she has gone to far..., however getting back to the others, as I said, great to hear they are up and running, long may it continue, thanks in part I would say to you and your efforts, plus of course the company, to which thanks should go for not just flogging them to just any one! JohnK

johnk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 March 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1355	Post Options Post Reply Quote johnk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 August 2007 at 4:30pm
	Hi again, Just been reading the account from Mr Parkinson, brilliant and I recomend all forum members read it, a privilage to know what these guys did and went through, I know we focus on the vessels but of course it's the people who matter most, and the vessels serve as a reminder of that. JohK

Pioneer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Pioneer Joined: 07 December 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 675	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pioneer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 August 2007 at 7:37pm
	Hello Steve and John, I read the story of the wartime activities of P.O.MM Les Parkinson - I agree - this was what the boats were built for and this is one of the main reasons that this, and other similar web sites, are all about. I am always humbled when I read such stories - thanks Steve for putting that link in. Edited by Pioneer
	Pioneer - Forum Moderator