0:00:02 > 0:00:05The South West Coast Path is one of the world's best loved walks.
0:00:05 > 0:00:10At 630 miles, it's also England's longest national trail.
0:00:10 > 0:00:15It's not for the faint-hearted. This can be challenging walking.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18But, boy, is it worth it.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22I'm Paul Rose, and I've explored the world.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25But although I love the south-west coast,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27I've never actually walked its path.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Until now.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30Run, run, run!
0:00:30 > 0:00:34'In this series, I'll be discovering adventure at every turn.'
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Wow, we're flying, buddy!
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- How big of a cliff is it?- High enough to make your knees wobble.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48'I'll be discovering wildlife...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50'and wild traditions.'
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Now, that's what you call an entrance.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57This is where land and sea collide.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02It really is the walk of a lifetime.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22In this episode, I'll be exploring the rolling South Devon coastline.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Following the path as it crosses the beaches of Bigbury-on-Sea,
0:01:26 > 0:01:30climbs the dramatic headland of Prawle Point,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32and traces the English Riviera,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34ending at Orcombe Point above Exmouth.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49My starting point is the only city on the path, Plymouth.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Up until now, most of my walk on the coast path has been remote and wild.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59So it comes as a refreshing change
0:01:59 > 0:02:02to find myself in the middle of such a vibrant place.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06And surely that has got to be one of the best views
0:02:06 > 0:02:07from any city in the country.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18Plymouth and its Sound have played a key role in our maritime history.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20The city was home to Sir Francis Drake,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27And it was the departure point
0:02:27 > 0:02:30for the Founding Fathers' landmark voyage to New England.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37It's also home to the Royal Citadel.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40This 17th-century fortress is still in use.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Jon Cresswell is the commanding officer.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- Ah-ha, good morning, John.- Paul. - I'm really looking forward to this.
0:02:50 > 0:02:51Welcome to the Royal Citadel,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54home of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56We're up here on Lambhay Hill.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58You can see now how we dominate, visually,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01the city which sits down beneath us.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04The citadel is here as a statement, a statement of power.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09- I'm looking forward to having a look around.- Let's have a look. - Yes, please, thank you.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Remember, you walk in the footsteps here of Wellington and Nelson.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Oh, look at that!
0:03:16 > 0:03:18So here you've got it,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21the jewel in the crown of the Royal Citadel, the view.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27Dominating Plymouth Sound, guarding the approach to the naval base.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30We are in living history. It is a modern regiment,
0:03:30 > 0:03:31but in an antique environment.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36- High port! En garde!- Advance!
0:03:36 > 0:03:37MEN SHOUT
0:03:40 > 0:03:43350 Marines live in the citadel.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Today, they're in training.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- Check bayonet!- En garde!
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- En garde!- Advance!
0:03:50 > 0:03:51MEN SHOUT
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- High port!- High port! - Adjust bayonet!- Adjust bayonet!
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Advance!
0:03:59 > 0:04:01So, what's happening now?
0:04:01 > 0:04:02This is bayonet training,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05what the men are doing is focussing their aggression,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07close quarters fighting with the enemy,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09good commando spirit, hard stuff.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- So this is all about control?- All control, controlled aggression.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13This is about focusing the mind.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Do you want to get into a bayonet fight?
0:04:15 > 0:04:16No, but you carry forward.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19You go forward to the enemy, aggressive, headfirst,
0:04:19 > 0:04:20that's what they're doing.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25- I doubt I can have a go at this, but what else can I do?- Let's go.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- Here we go, this is the entrance to the harbour.- Right, I'm in.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- Great, what do we do?- Right, what we're going to do is lean back...
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- Yeah.- ..and work your way down holding these knots.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Off rope!
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Great stuff, Paul, off we go.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49'The citadel walls feel every bit as high as they look.'
0:04:55 > 0:04:59'But there are some short cuts.' Slide here.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- Good effort, Paul, come on. - Good man.- Last one now.- Thank you.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Keep working, do not stop!
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Yeah, I love to keep fit, but...
0:05:14 > 0:05:16you fellas are keeping fit for totally different reasons.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20This is our job. To make our job work, we need to be fit.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22But look how the citadel just brings that to life.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- How many soldiers have been up and down here?- Oh, crikey, thousands.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- Thousands.- It's terrific... - But it didn't get any easier.- No!
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Do not walk, come on, last bit, last bit, let's go.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Plymouth has been exhausting.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42So I'm leaving the bustle of the city behind me
0:05:42 > 0:05:46and heading towards the picturesque estuary village of Noss Mayo.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52The coast path here is broader than I've seen
0:05:52 > 0:05:54anywhere on the route so far.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00The path here was built in the 1800s,
0:06:00 > 0:06:04by the Lord of the Manor of Noss Mayo, Lord Revelstoke.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Who wanted to entertain distinguished guests
0:06:06 > 0:06:10with a panoramic carriage ride around his estate.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14So the path had to be wide enough to accommodate the touring traffic.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25I'm heading a little further along the path to my next stop-off.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Burgh Island.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Cut off from the mainland by the tide,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34it was favourite getaway for prewar luminaries
0:06:34 > 0:06:40like Agatha Christie, who came to the island's exclusive Art Deco hotel to write.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44At low tide it's possible to walk across the causeway to the island.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48But at high tide, there's another option. Never seen anything like it.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Some people make the trip to visit the welcoming Pilchard Inn,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and others to go to the top of the island for the far-reaching views.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14But I'm going over to find the treasures that lay beneath the waves.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25All right, Maya?
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Marine ecologist Maya Plass knows the waters here
0:07:28 > 0:07:30like the back of her hand.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34She's going to give me a snorkelling tour around the island.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- We've got the day for it, Maya. - We have, it's amazing, isn't it?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41And we've got the right tide.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44It's just coming up to slack tide which is when it's at its highest,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47so you've got the least current as well, so it's perfect conditions.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- We're going to get most of the way around the island?- The whole way.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51We can do it. It's not that far.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54So, it's slightly deceiving because here, it looks very, very calm,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56but there are times when around the back of the island
0:07:56 > 0:07:58suddenly you get a lot of swell in the surf
0:07:58 > 0:08:01so you do have to know the island well to be able to do the swim.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04It's absolutely stunning and it's what's beneath the waves as well
0:08:04 > 0:08:07that's as beautiful as what's above too.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08You're already geared up,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10I'm standing here in my dry clothes I need to get ready.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- Yeah. Get kitted up, tide waits for no man.- Let's go. Yes.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31We're on the hunt for crabs amongst the kelp.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Oh, well done, Maya, I knew you'd find the first one!
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Yes, this is a female spider crab. - She looks great.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Yeah, she shares my name as well, her scientific name was Maja.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- Is it?- Maja squinado. - I like that.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00And they're very good at curling their legs up.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- So you don't end up getting clawed. - Let's keep going.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Let's do it, let's do it. Going to put this back safely first.
0:09:06 > 0:09:07Ah! OK, I'll follow you.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26As we continue around the island, we cross deep crevices and gullies.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33It's a world normally hidden from view.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52As you can see,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55it's a lot more exposed at the back of the island here.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56Where people can't see.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Which is a little bit more dangerous
0:09:58 > 0:09:59but a little bit more exciting as well.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01It feels great coming through there,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03there's a lot more energy on this side.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06There is, yeah, it's that little bit more exposed.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09I like it, though, because feeling the squirt of the waves
0:10:09 > 0:10:11through these gaps, that's a good feeling,
0:10:11 > 0:10:12it's giving us a good lift, isn't it?
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Yeah, it's great, there's lots of bubbles as you go past gullies,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18it's like being in your own Jacuzzi.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33Maya's reminded me that our British seas
0:10:33 > 0:10:36are every bit as beautiful as tropical waters.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41But it's time to return to shore.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51So, that's it, we've swam round the island.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- That was great fun, I really enjoyed it.- Yeah, totally great.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58I knew it was going to be fun. I was bursting to do it.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01But I didn't realise just how beautiful it was going to be.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- It is, it's stunning.- Thanks a lot, Maya.- No, thank you.- Really great.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14I'm leaving the calm waters of Burgh Island behind me and heading east.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24The coast path's position makes for great views,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27but it also puts you at the mercy of the elements.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40In the storms of February 2014,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43the path at Thurlestone took a thrashing.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01When freak weather strikes, it's down to people like Esther Pearson
0:12:01 > 0:12:05from the South West Coast Path Association to pick up the pieces.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09So, you can see where the road used to go.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13And the South West Coast Path used to travel on the side of the road.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18As you can see, it's completely been undercut by the incredible storms.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21So, when the coast path has gone then, what happens?
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Well, it depends, so in this situation,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28we were really fortunate because the landowner here, the golf club,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31permitted the coast path to be rolled back.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Now, if they had not supported that,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36then, of course, the path would have been closed
0:12:36 > 0:12:39for a very long time, and perhaps even diverted along the road,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41a really long way away from the coast.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44You know, you could be excused for thinking, well,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- it's just a path, it'll take care of itself.- Yeah.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50And this is the thing, we know it costs a minimum of £1,000 a mile.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56That's 630 miles, so £630,000 a year, just to keep the path open.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Without events like this.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03£630,000 is a lot of money.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04But look what we get for it.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Amazing. It's an incredible asset.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08It's so beautiful.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- Poppy's itching to get going, so shall we show you a bit more?- Yeah.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Come on, Poppy.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Just around the corner is an important wildlife reserve.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23We're about to go over the longest footbridge
0:13:23 > 0:13:25on the South West Coast Path.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Esther and her team have created a walkway here
0:13:28 > 0:13:30to reduce the impact of the path on the wetland.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41One of the great perks of enjoying the South West Coast Path
0:13:41 > 0:13:43is all the fantastic places to have tea and cake.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- This is just exactly what we've been looking for.- This is ideal.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49How wonderful.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52This is, I think, the best lemon drizzle cake
0:13:52 > 0:13:53on the South West Coast Path.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Hmm, perfect.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02Thank you for the walk today.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05It's been great to share it with you and get a complete understanding
0:14:05 > 0:14:08of how much work you and your colleagues and people like you do
0:14:08 > 0:14:10to keep this path open.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13It's all supported by the people who love the path.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15And the association really just helps to give them a voice,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18and make sure that the path which they love
0:14:18 > 0:14:19is looked after and kept open.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Long may it continue.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30I'm fuelled up and moving on.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37The coastline around Start Point is rugged and wild.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39And the weather's got wilder too.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51But that doesn't put off athlete and adventurer Jason McKinlay.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56He's training for the biggest run of his life.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00What is it you're setting out to do?
0:15:00 > 0:15:04I'm trying to run the entire South West Coast Path, Minehead to Poole.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08The full 1,000km, as fast as I can, around 10 days, hopefully.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11It's a big challenge, 1,000km in 10 days.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- Plus, it's not flat, it's up and down.- Yeah, a little known fact.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Collectively, it takes in around four times the height of
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Mount Everest, so it's pretty steep.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Jason already holds the world record for rowing around Great Britain,
0:15:25 > 0:15:30and has completed marathons on Mount Everest and in the Sahara.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34But this coast path run is the challenge dearest to his heart.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- It feels like a great way to celebrate the path.- Oh, it is.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41And it's giving a little bit of something back to
0:15:41 > 0:15:43a place which I'm so grateful to live.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Don't want to hold you up on the training,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48particularly when it's this wet. So carry on, mate. Take it easy.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Well done, mate. - Cheers.- Good luck.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57What Jason is attempting is incredible.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03But I'm continuing along the path at my more leisurely pace.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12I'm headed for Kingswear, across the Dart Estuary.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23And it's from here that I'm going to divert off the coast path
0:16:23 > 0:16:25and hitch a ride.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Here she is!
0:16:30 > 0:16:31STEAM HISSES
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- All right, Barry? All right, mate?- Good morning!
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- I understand I might be able to get on there.- You might indeed, yes.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44- Welcome! Come aboard!- Yes, please.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Thank you so much. A dream come true, really. What do I need to do?
0:16:48 > 0:16:53- Right, first of all, this coat... - Oh, yeah!- Just to keep the dust off.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54It doesn't say driver on it!
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Well, that's because I'm the driver and you're not yet!
0:17:01 > 0:17:02We're ready to depart -
0:17:02 > 0:17:04all the brakes are off and we're ready to roll.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- You can assist in this part. That's the whistle chain.- Yes, please.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- If you want to make some noise and blow the whistle...- Yes, please!- OK.
0:17:10 > 0:17:11Go ahead.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14WHISTLE BLASTS
0:17:14 > 0:17:18That's warned everybody that we're going to move.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23There we go, we're moving.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30ENGINE CHUFFS
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Unlike a modern engine, this thing feels like a living,
0:17:38 > 0:17:40breathing beast.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Yes, in some ways it actually is.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46There is fire, there's burning, requires oxygen,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48so the fire is alive.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49The engine is now exhausting,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53so you can hear the typical chuff-chuff of a locomotive.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02The Dartmouth and Torbay Railway opened in 1864,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06originally to transport goods like coal from Kingswear to Torquay.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Then, in 1876,
0:18:08 > 0:18:13it was taken over by Brunel's Great Western Railway and started bringing
0:18:13 > 0:18:17visitors from London seeking a seaside holiday in South Devon.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26The hill now starts to climb here,
0:18:26 > 0:18:30so we'll open up the regulator a bit more to increase the power...
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- ENGINE NOISE INCREASES - And that will increase the noise...
0:18:33 > 0:18:34Great!
0:18:36 > 0:18:38It feels as if we're going about 150.
0:18:41 > 0:18:47The faster it goes, the more coal it needs, so it's all hands on deck.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48- Can I have a go?- Yes!
0:18:48 > 0:18:49Great!
0:19:08 > 0:19:10WHISTLE BLASTS
0:19:26 > 0:19:29This really is travelling in style.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- Where are we coming into now, Barry? - This is Churston Station.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40This is the highest point on the line.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42STEAM HISSES
0:19:46 > 0:19:49WHISTLE BLASTS
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- Can I have a little drive? - If you'd like to have a feel of...
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- Yes, please!- ..releasing the power. Just bring it up gently.- Yeah.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02- How's that?- A little bit more. Until you hear a hiss and...
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- Ah, here we go!- There we go. - HISSING
0:20:05 > 0:20:08And close again. Close...
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- Oh, it doesn't take much, does it?- No.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13We don't want to accelerate too much here,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- because leaving the platform...- OK.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17..there's a 10mph speed limit, so...
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Right, don't want a speeding ticket!
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Again, open a little bit to just keep the momentum going.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26This feels absolutely great!
0:20:28 > 0:20:29I'm driving a steam train!
0:20:32 > 0:20:37- You've got the best office in the UK, mate!- It's, er, very nice.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39WHISTLE BLASTS
0:20:39 > 0:20:41It's a great view at the best of times, but it's very,
0:20:41 > 0:20:45very special from the footplate of a steam train, let me tell you.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50WHISTLE BLASTS
0:20:50 > 0:20:54The journey's zipped by and we're pulling into our final stop,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Paignton Station.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- Fantastic, Barry! Thank you so much. - Glad you enjoyed it.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05I'd better get back walking.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Yes, well, I hope the train has taken some of the strain out
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- of that.- It certainly has. A real privilege.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Enjoy the rest of your day and enjoy your walk.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- Thanks a lot, Barry. - Thank you, now, bye.- Bye, mate.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21Leaving the station, you can jump right back on the coast path.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Which, for the next few miles, follows the shoreline of what
0:21:24 > 0:21:28was once the nation's best loved holiday resort -
0:21:28 > 0:21:29the English Riviera.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34It might be slightly less fashionable now,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37but in the 1950s this was the place to be.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40'From the colour of the villas built on the hills,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44'we can easily believe that we are on the Mediterranean coast of
0:21:44 > 0:21:47'France or Italy, for these pictures are certainly typical of the
0:21:47 > 0:21:49'rivieras of both those countries.'
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Londoners could hop on a train and be here in a jiffy.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57It was the start of large-scale tourism.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02'This has a truly Mediterranean flavour, with pedalos,
0:22:02 > 0:22:04'rafts, floats and motor boats,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07'making a perfect picture of a pleasurable playground.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13'Torquay, queen of the English Riviera.'
0:22:21 > 0:22:25The railway is a constant feature alongside the coast path.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Especially through the seaside town of Dawlish.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36It's a beautiful walk today,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40but on Valentine's Day 2014, things looked very different.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48The same storms that destroyed the path at Thurlestone
0:22:48 > 0:22:51severed the train line that connects the south-west
0:22:51 > 0:22:53to the rest of the country.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05The track was left dangling like a rope bridge.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15It took two months of round-the-clock emergency
0:23:15 > 0:23:19engineering works and £35 million to repair the track,
0:23:19 > 0:23:23but the hole was filled, the sea wall repaired
0:23:23 > 0:23:26and now trains are running once again on this,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29one of the most picturesque sections of railway in the country.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37The coast path traces the railway to my next stop-off...
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Exmouth.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43A picturesque holiday resort complete with
0:23:43 > 0:23:45a world-class watersports centre.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52I'm jumping off the path
0:23:52 > 0:23:56to take a trip on one of the RNLI's newest lifeboats.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Steve Hockings-Thompson is the coxswain.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Well, it's great to see you here, Steve, and I'm particularly
0:24:03 > 0:24:06excited to get an insight as to what really goes on.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Yeah, you've come to a brilliant station.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11I mean, you're really lucky that this evening you're getting
0:24:11 > 0:24:13the chance to go on a Shannon class lifeboat,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16the newest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19And this new boat must make an enormous difference to you.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22When we go to see in a Shannon, we know that we're really safe.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25We can go twice the speed, so we can get there quicker.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Well, I'm super keen that I can get an inside look at this.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29What do I need to do now?
0:24:29 > 0:24:32We need to get you some kit sorted out and then make our way
0:24:32 > 0:24:33onto the boat.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37The RNLI is a charity and the crew here are all volunteers.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40I'm joining them on a training exercise.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- OK, here's your life jacket, Paul.- Thanks very much.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Stick that on for you and then we'll go.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49- And here she is!- Wow!
0:24:49 > 0:24:51It's quite something to come out of there and be straight on board.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Yeah. It's an ideal scenario for us to be getting on board the boat.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56HOOTER BLASTS What's that thing?
0:24:56 > 0:25:00That's our tractor, that's what's going to push us into the water.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06Weather during a rescue can of course be much worse than this.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11But today's calm seas are perfect for training.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17OK, Paul, now we're out here, would you like to have a drive?
0:25:17 > 0:25:18I'd love to have a go!
0:25:18 > 0:25:23Controls here. We've got bucket controls. Forward and reverse gear.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27- And this is like an accelerator on a car.- Right. Thank you.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- Right.- OK, so forward first. - So, forward on those...
0:25:33 > 0:25:35All the way forward, yeah.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Which way?- Steer a course just down this way.- Right.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41The whole thing, everything feels incredibly light.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- Everything is close to hand, very light on the helm.- Wow.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- Could we go a bit faster? - Yeah, we can go a bit faster, yeah.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Pull the throttle forward.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08Today we're going to practise the rescue of someone stranded at sea.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11The crew member goes over the rail, making sure he's
0:26:11 > 0:26:16- attached onto the harness line and steps down onto the tow rail.- Right.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18And as you can see, you can hang there quite nicely and you
0:26:18 > 0:26:21can actually grab hold of the casualty as you come up to them.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- So my job will be to go where James is...- Yep.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- When you're alongside the casualty...- Yep.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30..get the casualty and slide this over the casualty's head...
0:26:30 > 0:26:34- That's correct, yeah. - ..put it under the arms.- Yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36This dummy is our casualty.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Man overboard!
0:26:40 > 0:26:43OK, guys, if we can get ready for the recovery.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Oh, yeah, my...
0:26:45 > 0:26:47OK, coming up to the casualty.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50There he is!
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Got him.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56This goes over his head...
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- Under one arm... All right?- Yes.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Here he is!
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- He's a bit heavier than when he went in.- Well done, guys.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11You know, we recovered the person from the water. Well done.
0:27:11 > 0:27:12What a difference...
0:27:12 > 0:27:15If this didn't exist and you were just trying it over the side of
0:27:15 > 0:27:17a conventional lifeboat.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18This means saving people's lives, doesn't it?
0:27:18 > 0:27:21We know it works and it's proved its job.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30It's been a real privilege to see these dedicated volunteers in action
0:27:30 > 0:27:35and to find out how much work goes into keeping users of the sea safe.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48My walk along the South Devon coast has been fascinating,
0:27:48 > 0:27:51but it's coming to an end.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56These are the vibrant red cliffs of Orcombe Point.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00They mark the beginning of the mighty Jurassic Coast, a 95-mile
0:28:00 > 0:28:04walk through some 185 million years of the Earth's history.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06And that's where I'm headed next.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16Next time on Coastal Path, I'll be walking my final stretch...
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Look at that one! That's perfect.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20..as I discover prehistoric treasures.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23We've got a little gold mine going on down here.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24Look, there it is!
0:28:24 > 0:28:26..and welcome new life.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29CHEEPING Boy, that's a beautiful-looking chick!