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0:00:32 > 0:00:37- Anglesey's Moelfre lifeboat is one - of the most famous in Britain.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- The island's north coast - is very hazardous.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- It can be dangerous here.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- If a strong wind - blows from the north...
0:00:49 > 0:00:54- ..the sea gets very rough - between here and Point Lynas.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- There's a strong tide there, - for one thing.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- When the wind blows against - the tide, it creates a heavy swell.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19- A new boat has arrived today. - It's an inshore boat.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- A woman from Colchester, - Mrs Claydon, paid for it.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- It cost 12,000.
0:01:27 > 0:01:33- These are useful boats. You can - take them into shallow waters.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- If someone falls on the rocks...
0:01:38 > 0:01:42- ..you can take this boat - close to the shore.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- Many visitors come here to sail - in the summer.
0:01:47 > 0:01:54- Sometimes, it's quite windy and - their engines are not up to scratch.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- They break down out in the bay.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03- They're then at the mercy - of the wind and the tide.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06- This boat is called 'Kingsand'.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11- That name was chosen - by the woman who bought it for us.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17- The name sounds good in Welsh too. - It's a fine name.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- The big lifeboat - answers the more serious calls.
0:02:26 > 0:02:32- Tales of the bravery of past Moelfre - crews have spread far and wide.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- How aware of that tradition - is the present crew?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Tradition is very important.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45- My great-uncle, Richard Evans, - was a coxswain here for 40 years.
0:02:46 > 0:02:52- When you're a boy, you look forward - to being old enough to help...
0:02:52 > 0:02:58- ..not necessarily on the boat - but helping to get the boat out...
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- ..and back in again safely.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08- Today, lifeboat crew members - need specialist skills.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14- This mobile unit visits lifeboat - stations to provide training.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- Moelfre's crew - can gain experience...
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- ..in using a modern - satellite navigation system.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- This unit enables crew members...
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- ..to become familiar - with using these new systems.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- They did use charts, - a pencil and rules.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42- Now, they use - these state-of-the art computers.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- They've been specially developed - for use by sailors.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- There's the GPS, - the plotter and the radar.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Crews can learn - how to use them here...
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- ..rather than on a shifting boat, - which can be difficult.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- Then they know how to use them - when a call comes.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- This laser plotter - comes from the Netherlands.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- That cross represents the lifeboat.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- As you move around the bay - - we're going towards Liverpool...
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- ..the chart changes - as you move along.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- On we go and up the River Mersey.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36- As the lifeboat moves up the river, - the picture enlarges.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43- This is the enlarged chart - of the marina and the dock.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48- The system can pinpoint - where you are at any time.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- It can also take the tide - and the wind into account.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- The machines work it all out.
0:04:58 > 0:05:04- They must apply their new skills in - the confined space of the lifeboat.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- It's more difficult, - as the boat rolls over the waves.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- The RNLI uses seven different types - of large lifeboat.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- The fastest is the Tyne, - which is housed above a slipway.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- It's the same type - as the Porthdinllaen lifeboat.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- It requires a crew of six.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- The Tyne has been in use - for 18 years.
0:05:31 > 0:05:37- They're regarded as efficient and - can attain a speed of 18 knots.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42- They're equipped with - state-of-the-art navigation tools.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- The plotter - didn't work as it should...
0:05:48 > 0:05:54- ..so it's important we carry on - using the charts and a pencil.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- It provides a back-up.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- Christmas Eve is a big day - for Porthdinllaen.
0:06:08 > 0:06:14- The 'Good Shepherd', which is on - loan, sets out for the last time.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- The 'Hetty Rampton', - their usual boat, is coming home.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- They must sail to Holyhead - to fetch her.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31- Many lifeboats from the north - of England and north Wales...
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- ..come to Holyhead to be repaired.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- The 'Hetty Rampton' - has had a complete overhaul.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46- The inspectors are satisfied she's - ready to return to Porthdinllaen.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51- She's been fitted with new engines - and the latest technology.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- Porthdinllaen's lifeboat - is number 15.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04- As it happens, number 14 - is coming in for repairs.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- She's from Barrow-in-Furness, - a whole day's journey away.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- She shows signs of wear - and needs repainting.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25- A large part of the RNLI's budget - is spent on renovating lifeboats.
0:07:25 > 0:07:31- Maintaining the service - costs nearly 80 million per year.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- Every time a lifeboat- is launched - it costs 5,000.
0:07:35 > 0:07:42- The 'Good Shepherd' was our temporary - replacement for the 'Hetty Rampton'.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- She now has new engines...
0:07:45 > 0:07:50- ..and new equipment including - a satellite navigation system.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- The laser plotter - is another new gadget.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- Charts for the whole country - are stored on CD ROM.
0:08:03 > 0:08:10- She's now in tip-top condition for - her next ten years at this station.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- Lifeboat crew members - are volunteers.
0:08:18 > 0:08:24- Peter, the coxswain and mechanic, - is the only full-time employee.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30- The others receive very little - remuneration for their services.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- But the crew members - are always in good spirits.
0:08:39 > 0:08:46- The Porthdinllaen lifeboat is called - out 20 times a year, on average.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52- They are expected to cope with - an emergency on the Irish ferry.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- But most calls are minor ones - involving pleasure craft.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07- They are required to train - for major emergencies.
0:09:07 > 0:09:13- The crew occasionally attend courses - at the RNLI headquarters in Poole.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- We have regular training. - We learn first aid...
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- ..we also learn - how to use these new gadgets...
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- ..the wireless, the radar - and so on.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31- We attend some courses - at the headquarters in Poole.
0:09:35 > 0:09:35- The crew's video.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40- The crew's video. - - A local fishing boat - is having engine trouble.
0:09:40 > 0:09:47- Although the weather is fine, the - tide could drive her on to rocks.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- This seems to be a routine call.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- There are fewer call-outs - to pleasure boats...
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- ..as owners - become more safety-conscious.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09- Well-equipped merchant ships rarely - get into difficulties these days.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- Today, they simply had to tow - the 'Buccaneer' to shore...
0:10:15 > 0:10:20- ..because she had started - drifting towards rocks.
0:10:20 > 0:10:25- Most of us have romantic images - of brave lifeboat crews...
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- ..risking their lives - in the teeth of a gale.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- Such occurrences are very rare.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Lifeboats are seldom called out - during storms.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- Fewer than 4% of calls - occur in rough weather.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Only one call in six - involves saving lives.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51- Most calls are for boats needing - assistance to reach the shore...
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- ..without any lives being at risk.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06- One of these fishermen is actually - a member of the lifeboat crew.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- But there won't be much leg-pulling.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- Who knows - who'll be in trouble tomorrow?
0:11:14 > 0:11:20- When people are at the mercy of the - sea's vagaries, anything can happen.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26-
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- The sea has an obvious - important influence...
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- ..on the communities - of Porthdinllaen and nearby Nefyn.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- It has affected - both work and culture.
0:11:43 > 0:11:49- This rich tradition, with its - history, tales and shanties...
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- ..is a central part of these - children's local history studies.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- 'The class went to Porthdinllaen - yesterday.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- 'We walked along the path - above Nefyn beach.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08- 'Mr Williams showed us where - the last boat was built at Nefyn.'
0:12:10 > 0:12:16- 'We arrived at the boathouse - at 1.00pm, where we met Tom Morris.'
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- Come down these steps - and sit on the sand.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- Welcome - to the Morfa Nefyn lifeboat...
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- ..or rather, Porthdinllaen.
0:12:33 > 0:12:39- 150 years ago, this little bay - was called 'Bae Carreg yr Afr'.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- It's a lovely place - on a fine summer's day.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- 150 years ago...
0:12:45 > 0:12:51- ..there would have been over 20 - sailing ships anchored in the bay.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56- A lot of trading ships - travelled around the Lleyn coast...
0:12:56 > 0:13:03- ..carrying goods and farm produce - to places like Liverpool and Dublin.
0:13:04 > 0:13:10- Many of these little ships - got into trouble in bad weather.
0:13:10 > 0:13:16- I'll tell you about one night - in particular, December 2nd, 1863.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22- The sea became very rough as - a northerly gale blew across the bay.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27- Over two dozen small ships - were sheltering in the bay.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28- The wind blew them...
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- The wind blew them... - - 'One night, a huge storm blew up.
0:13:31 > 0:13:37- 'Many ships were sheltering in the - bay when the wind changed direction'
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- 'It blew towards Porthdinllaen. - The ships were in danger.'
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- 'Ships were blown - against each other.'
0:13:46 > 0:13:52- 'The ships were in trouble. - Waves crashed and the wind roared.'
0:13:52 > 0:13:58- 'Some ships tore free from their - moorings and were broken up.'
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- 'Many ships were wrecked...
0:14:01 > 0:14:06- ..as captains tried to sail - to the other side of the headland.'
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- The waves forced them - towards the shore.
0:14:10 > 0:14:16- Local people were unable to help - as the sailors clung to their masts.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- 'A man called Robert Rees - tied a rope around himself.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- 'Four strong men held the rope - as he entered the water.'
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- 'He swam into the waves - and saved the lives of 28 men.'
0:14:32 > 0:14:38- Robert was awarded a bronze medal by - the Board of Trade for his actions.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Engraved on the edge of the medal...
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- ..is 'Robert Rees. Wreck - of the Bardsey of Caernarfon'.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55- The 'Bardsey' was the name of one - of the ships whose crew he saved.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- The new Porthdinllaen lifeboat.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- 'Dinllaen' is an old name - for this part of Lleyn...
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- ..so this is 'the Port of Dinllaen'.
0:15:15 > 0:15:22- If you look at the boat, you can see - that everything folds down on it.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27- It can't enter the boathouse - unless everything is folded down.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37- When the weather is rough, - the crew stay in the cabin.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- There are six seats, - one for each crew member.
0:15:42 > 0:15:48- They're strapped in as if they were - in a plane and they wear helmets.
0:15:50 > 0:15:56- That's because they can be thrown - about when the sea is rough.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- The crew - often have to stand out here.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- They wear lifejackets - which have clips on the back.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- They clip themselves to this wire...
0:16:09 > 0:16:15- ..which keeps them safe but also - allows them to move around.
0:16:16 > 0:16:23- That's the purpose of this wire. - It goes all the way around the boat.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- Children are encouraged - to take an interest.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- It's been part of the RNLI's policy - for years.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39- The port of Fishguard - has benefited from this.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54- There used to be an Arran class - lifeboat at Fishguard...
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- ..larger and faster - than the one at Porthdinllaen.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03- Then they had an even better - Trent class boat on loan.
0:17:12 > 0:17:18- It suited their work, so one was - stationed here on a permanent basis.
0:17:18 > 0:17:24- The TV programme 'Blue Peter' - raised the money to pay for it.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- It's one of the best boats in Wales.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43- The RNLI are proud of it - and the name acknowledges the gift.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- She's fitted with - all the most modern equipment...
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- ..everything you could think of.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- We may be called out - to a boat 40 miles away.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- If we can pick up just one sounding - from the vessel...
0:18:08 > 0:18:15- ..we can go straight to it. If we - closed our eyes, we'd run over it!
0:18:15 > 0:18:16- It's so accurate.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- In my day, - you were given directions...
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- ..that weren't always accurate.
0:18:23 > 0:18:29- Sometimes, the people in trouble - weren't quite sure where they were.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- So we'd have to search - for the vessel...
0:18:33 > 0:18:39- ..using a procedure we call - a search pattern or box pattern.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- It could take hours.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50- When I started, the boat - at this station was an open boat.
0:18:52 > 0:18:58- The cabin was tiny. When the sea was - rough, we'd all be squashed in...
0:18:58 > 0:19:03- ..like sheep in a pen, - trying to shelter from the sea.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11- The boat didn't move over the waves. - It would cut into them.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- So we were under water - a lot of the time.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- We got wet - as soon as we left the harbour.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- These days, - all the boats are closed in.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32- The cabins on today's boats - increase the boat's buoyancy.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- If the boat capsizes...
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- ..the cabin's buoyancy - will turn the boat back up.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48- Here's the proof. Before - she was sent to Fishguard...
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- ..'Blue Peter VII' - had to undergo the ultimate test.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- All lifeboats - have to pass this test.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- There are now over 150 - women crew members.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- The first in Wales was in Fishguard.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- Angela has been fully accepted - as a crew member.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- The kind of technology we saw - at Fishguard didn't exist...
0:20:39 > 0:20:46- ..when the Moelfre lifeboat saved - the crews of two merchant vessels.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55- On two occasions...
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- ..Dick Ifans received - the RNLI's ultimate accolade.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04- The first was in 1959...
0:21:04 > 0:21:09- ..when eight members - of the 'Hindlea' crew were saved.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- A storm had driven her on to rocks.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- The Moelfre crew's bravery - inspired the public.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23- They had risked their lives - on the stormy sea...
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- ..to save the 'Hindlea' crew.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- Dick Ifans became a symbol - of RNLI heroism.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- He received world-wide attention.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- This incident is still - one of the great lifeboat legends.
0:21:44 > 0:21:50- With today's technology, the work - of locating any ship in distress...
0:21:50 > 0:21:56- ..is much easier but it doesn't - make it any less perilous.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03- The first boat I went on - did about nine knots.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10- Today, they can practically do - twenty-nine knots.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- We got this boat - two or three years ago.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- There used to be helicopters - stationed at Brawdy.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- The Government - decided to close RAF Brawdy.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- There was a great outcry - against losing the helicopters.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- The RNLI and the Government...
0:22:35 > 0:22:40- ..decided to station - a much faster boat at Fishguard...
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- ..so we could perform - far quicker rescues.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- That's why we have this boat - at Fishguard.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Fishguard lifeboat boathouse, - do you read, over?
0:23:10 > 0:23:15- I remember going out on one call, - it was very rough.
0:23:15 > 0:23:22- The cargo had shifted to one side, - which caused the ship to break down.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- It sank, - about fifteen miles out from here.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- It's very sad, seeing a ship sink.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- We saved all the crew...
0:23:34 > 0:23:40- ..but it was very sad, watching - a ship sinking in front of us.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- Subtitles- by- Nia Melville, Elidir