The lifeboat, Easter 2024 | Preparing the boat for Easter? Then Esben and Lars have good advice for you

(Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad): Lars Olsen is manager and Esben Jensen is base manager and boat driver in the Rescue Company in Skjeberg.

They are ready for a new season at sea in the Østfold archipelago.

– We are very ready and have been looking forward to it for a long time, says Lars Olsen to Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad.

Peak season for engine trouble

Many people use Easter to get their boat on the water and take their first boat trip of the year. As an extra measure of security, Redningsselskapet has therefore stepped up preparedness during Easter.

Leaks, dirty fuel and engine stoppages as a result of lack of maintenance are regular occurrences in connection with the first boat trip of the year.

That’s why Esben Jensen and Lars Olsen now come up with a number of checkpoints that can be nice to note before you set off into open waters.

Here you can see how it went when we took the lifeboat on Hvaler out in the storm in February:

– It is peak season for engine trouble. It is therefore important to check that filters are not clogged and that hoses are not darkened, says Olsen.

– Bring spare parts with you and feel free to test that things work at the quayside, Jensen follows up.

– Check and use vests correctly, says Olsen.

Checklist before and after launching:

Check the engine oil and coolant level.
Check the battery voltage and charge the battery if necessary. A fully charged battery should have a resting voltage of 12.7 V (without load). 12.3 V indicates half capacity, while 12 V indicates critically low voltage.
Go over all lubrication points, please lubricate wire transmissions and moving parts. Clean and insert with a thin layer of grease. Use acid-free vaseline, spray grease or similar.
Move all valves and check for leaks.
Check wires and hoses. Check for breaks or wear.
Check and clean the fuel filter.
Test winches, drives, trim flaps and rudder.
After launching, inspect all hull penetrations for leaks.
Check that the engine has stable cooling.
Check that the battery is being charged by the engine. Ideal charging voltage is 14.4 volts measured directly on the dynamo
Rubber impellers can become hard and crack when left dry. Use a workshop to change the impeller unless you are knowledgeable about engines.
Check the date stamp on the release mechanism in the life jackets.
Call the nearest coastal radio station to test the VHF.

Source: The rescue company

Still winter in the water

This year, gray but fine Easter weather has been reported in terms of temperature in Østfold, but the water is still cold.

– Even though it’s spring in the air, it’s still winter in the water, says Lars Olsen.

The voluntary sea rescue corps covers the areas from Skjeberg to Halden and Fredrikstad. That basically means all the way from Iddefjorden to the Swedish border towards Koster and Strømtangen lighthouse.

RS has a zero vision on drowning.

Expands the base

This is one of the main reasons why the Rescue Company established a voluntary sea rescue corps in Skjebergkilen in 2016, which covers large parts of the Østfold archipelago.

For eight seasons, the local sea rescue corps has been based in Skjebergkilen at Skjeberg Marinesenter in Ullerøy.

Now there is further investment from the Rescue Society in Skjebergkilen. The base has been expanded, and the volunteers have had more space this year.

31 volunteers

RSRK Skjeberg currently consists of approximately 31 people, divided into ten teams, who are part of a guard system throughout the season.

As expected, the volunteers hope that the boaters will learn both the rules of the sea, their own equipment, show consideration and respect each other on the sea.

In order for the volunteers to live up to the zero vision on drowning, presence is required when the boaters are on the water, i.e. on weekends and holidays when you normally take time off yourself.

RS 172 “Ragnar Stoud Platou” is stationed at Skjærhalden.