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0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Porthdinllaen - is on Lleyn's northern coast.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11- It has been a RNLI lifeboat - station for almost 150 years.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15- It's the focal point - of the Morfa Nefyn area.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- Builders, carpenters, - a postman and even a milkman.
0:00:26 > 0:00:31- The volunteers are ready to risk - their lives when the call comes.
0:00:35 > 0:00:41- It's been an exciting year of - changes, a new home and a new boat.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- This is first time...
0:00:47 > 0:00:52- ..that a milestone for the RNLI - Porthdinllaen is chronicled.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11- It's January 1, 2013.
0:01:11 > 0:01:17- All that's left of the old - boathouse are pieces of the roof...
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- ..and a mound of rubble.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- But where is everyone?
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- To raise funds - for the Porthdinllaen lifeboat...
0:01:33 > 0:01:39- ..hundreds of people flock to Morfa - Nefyn beach for a unique event.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- We're holding a New Year Dip today.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49- Local people and holidaymakers - are joining the crew...
0:01:49 > 0:01:51- ..to swim in the cold sea.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- The crew's wives and friends - are making soup, tea and coffee...
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- ..to warm everyone up a little.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- A lot of people come. Up to 150 - people usually go in the sea.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- This is the fourth year - we've done it.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- We've raised - up to 1,200 every time.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- For one hour, it's worth it.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- It's very popular. - We compete with Abersoch.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- It's been a big event - in Abersoch for some time.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- But we're growing every year.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33- A lot of teams dress up to go in, - like those pirates and Smurfs.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- They've made an effort - with their costumes.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- Good afternoon. - Can everybody hear me?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- Shall I speak Welsh or English?
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- Just Welsh, or a bit of everything?
0:02:47 > 0:02:52- Five, four, three, two, one!
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- APPLAUSE
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- No-one stays in the water for long.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- It's the taking part that counts. - There's a medal for everyone.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- It's great to see so many people. - The best way to start the new year!
0:03:17 > 0:03:22- There are even medals - for some of the crew.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- The winter months are fairly - quiet as regards to calls...
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- ..for all the lifeboats.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- So the John D Spicer, - Porthdinllaen's lifeboat...
0:03:48 > 0:03:53- ..has come to Pwllheli Marina - to have its hull cleaned.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03- But how on earth is a 32 ton boat - lifted out of the water?
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- Four orange slings, - attached to the mobile crane...
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- ..can lift up to 50 tons.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22- Pwllheli Marina invested - in the 140,000 machinery...
0:04:23 > 0:04:29- ..partly because of the new - Porthdinllaen lifeboat...
0:04:29 > 0:04:35- ..so they could lift heavy boats - out of the water fairly easily.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- But nevertheless, - a great deal of care is taken...
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- ..when lifting a boat - that cost 2.7 million.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- It's lifted every three months.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- The bottom is cleaned - and everything checked.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- It's nice to get - to know the whole boat.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- She's a totally different shape now.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- We've no boathouse now. - She's in the water all the time.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16- She gets dirty, is slower - and uses more diesel.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21- So cleanliness is important. - It's easier as the weather improves.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26- In winter, we might not get - to the boat for three or four days.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- Things can deteriorate. - We have to be constantly watchful.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- We've brought her to Pwllheli...
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- ..because it's only - ten minutes away.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38- We can do odd jobs.
0:05:38 > 0:05:44- I want to clean the inside today and - some jobs I can't do on the mooring.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- I'll give it a day's work.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- I use fresh water on the boat - to remove the salt water.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- Walking around, you can see - salt water sticking to everything.
0:06:05 > 0:06:12- It's stainless steel, but there's - some rust and it gets discoloured.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17- Fresh water and polish - make a difference.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20- I'll start at the bow and work back.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- Although I'm facing downwind...
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- ..I want to get some fresh - air where the Y boat is.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- The quiet winter period...
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- ..means that Mike has plenty - of time to clean the boat.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51- Winter's long, without calls. - Calls keep everyone on their toes.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- People get tired - of doing exercises all the time.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- Although it's quiet - on the call front...
0:07:02 > 0:07:08- ..that doesn't mean that the - Porthdinllaen lifeboat crew is idle.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- Thanks for coming out tonight - for our final session.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- We'll do a refresher - of what we did last night.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- Some of the crew - are on a radar course.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24- Peter Gale from the RNLI - college has come to teach them.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- Has anybody done - something like that before?
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- The new lifeboat - is full of computers.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- So it's even more - important to know the basics.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- Everyone has a chance - to revise techniques.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- This is why I can use radar - to help me to get up the anchorage.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50- Electronic radar is a great help - when steering at sea.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- It's like another pair of eyes, - watching out for ships and land...
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- ..in all weathers.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05- Your course is zero five zero - degrees. Your speed is 18 knots.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- But when technology fails...
0:08:08 > 0:08:13- ..they must go back to pencil, - paper, watch and compass.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- How do you know - that your CPA is there?
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- Two point six? - Mine was two point seven.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28- A few have already - done the course several times.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- I did the course in 2008.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- I was rather slow at first.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- But it comes quite - quickly, eventually.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- It's quite easy to do it in class.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- But you have to do it - at sea, in bad weather.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- That's when you really get tested.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- It's important to know - how to do it on paper...
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- ..and chart work too.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- They're electronics, basically.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- Anything can happen out there.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- But for some, - it's a totally new experience.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11- Pete.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13- I've just had...
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- A brain freeze for a second!
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- Mali has only been - a crew member for a year.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- We've been doing the radar - course for three evenings.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- The first night, I thought, - "What on earth am I doing here?"
0:09:32 > 0:09:38- I was with six crew members - who have years of experience.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- I was rather panicky at first, - wondering if I'd cope.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- The radar work I've done...
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- ..is electronic radar, - using computers.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- This meant going back to basics.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- You have to plot - on the chart plotter.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- It's more important - than ever to know the basics.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- It is a challenge. - I'm coping so far.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- We'll see if I succeed - in getting the certificate.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17- But even experienced crew members - sometimes scratch their heads.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- It did my head in last night.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- The moment I see figures...
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- ..my head goes to pieces.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- I did silly things and didn't - know why I couldn't get it.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40- It came back after looking - at it for three sessions.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- It's interesting. It makes you work.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Last night we looked at using - radar for collision avoidance...
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- ..to avoid crashing into things - or things crashing into us.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52- It's important.
0:10:53 > 0:10:59- It makes you think how we managed - in the past, without the new radar.
0:10:59 > 0:11:05- You had to work out where you were - and your speed with a watch.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- This boat goes very fast...
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- ..almost twice - the speed of the old one.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- You have to be on the ball - with the navigation and plotting.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- Everyone seems to be benefiting - from the course. What about Mali?
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Why did you put me - on the course this week?
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Because you've done - almost everything else.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- We just want to finish the package.
0:11:33 > 0:11:34- So I can sit in every seat.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- So I can sit in every seat.- - That's about it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- As the night closes in...
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- ..the crew has some way to go - before the lesson ends.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46- .
0:11:51 > 0:11:51- Subtitles
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- It's 9.00am.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- A group meets near - the Porthdinllaen RNLI office...
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- ..for a twelve - and a half mile walk...
0:12:05 > 0:12:10- ..from Morfa Nefyn to Aberdaron, - to raise money for the lifeboat.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- Five years ago, - I lost my dad to the sea.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- We've been fundraising for the - Porthdinllaen lifeboat ever since.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- Today is to commemorate - the fifth anniversary.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- You've got other charities - for illnesses and things.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- This hits here.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- And it always will do.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- Ready, steady, go!
0:12:37 > 0:12:38- Ta-ra!
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- Maldwyn Williams, Dawn's father...
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- ..was a local fisherman.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- He lost his life at sea.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- Porthdinllaen lifeboat was out - looking for him for many days.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03- Ever since, Dawn and her mother Viv - have done a lot to raise money...
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- ..for the RNLI.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- They have raised - more than 30,000...
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- ..for a charity that's - very close to their hearts.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- The fundraising continues.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- No-one's safe from these ramblers.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30- Hello!
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- Good morning!
0:13:32 > 0:13:33- Here you are.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34- Thank you.
0:13:35 > 0:13:36- Ta-ra!
0:13:42 > 0:13:48- The walk is one of many - events planned this year...
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- ..as Porthdinllaen RNLI tries - to reach a target of 100,000...
0:13:53 > 0:13:58- ..to contribute to the costs - of building the new boathouse.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03- My legs are starting to warm up - and my fingers have defrosted.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- It's going well.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06- CAR HORN
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- We stop a few cars. - People are generous.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- The walkers have reached Tudweiliog.
0:14:26 > 0:14:32- They have a rest and lunch before - resuming the journey to Aberdaron.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- It's going well. - We're doing it in good time.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- We all go at our own pace. - My feet are fine at the moment.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- We'll have a rest - and a cuppa in Aberdaron.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Dawn's father was my uncle.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- We're supporting her. - We do something every year.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- We've received quite a lot of money. - Someone just gave us 10.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- It's nice to see - people supporting us.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- I'm supporting Dawn...
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- ..and my husband and daughter - who are in the Porthdinllaen team.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- We're supporting Dawn - for her hard work all year.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- She does various things - to raise money for the lifeboats.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- It's only right to support her too.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- At the pier in Trefor...
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- ..the Porthdinllaen RNLI shore - crew are waiting for the lifeboat.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- One of them is Dylan, - who works for Gwynedd Council.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- My job title - is Commercial Waste Manager.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47- I work at the Commercial Waste - Unit for Gwynedd Council.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- We provide businesses - with a waste and recycling service.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- Dylan has been a member...
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- ..of the Porthdinllaen - RNLI crew for 28 years.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- Like many village lads, - it was always an ambition to join.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- As lads, we wanted - to join the lifeboat crew.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12- Many of us wanted to join - the crew when we were older.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- When the opportunity arose...
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- ..we went to the boathouse.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- You have to give up a lot of time - to be a crew member.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- There are more courses now - than there were 20 years ago.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- Being a member - takes up a lot of time.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- I admire the fire brigade lads.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- I could never go up a ladder.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42- I'd rather keep my feet - on the ground or on a boat.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- Although Dylan isn't - one of the boat crew any more...
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- ..being a member - of the shore crew keeps him busy.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- He's also the station press officer.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00- I'm responsible for distributing - news about Porthdinllaen RNLI...
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- ..in the local and national press...
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- ..perhaps even an interview - on the BBC or S4C.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- With the arrival - of the new lifeboat...
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- ..he's even more determined - to rejoin the boat crew.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19- I miss going out.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- As Arnold Schwarzenegger - said, I'll be back.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- In Trefor, the lifeboat - has arrived at the pier...
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- ..to fill its tanks with diesel.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44- When we arrive, we attach - the boat securely to the wall.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- We link the pipe and ensure - the sea doesn't get polluted...
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- ..checking that the pipe's empty.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53- We took 400 litres this time.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- We usually take about 1,000 litres. - It can take half an hour.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- We usually refuel in the boathouse.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08- We don't have one now. - The boat is on the mooring.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- The only way we can fuel it - is from Trefor pier.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21- We have to come here at high tide, - not at any other time.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- There's not enough water for the - boat. We come here at high tide.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- It's only quarter of an hour - from Porthdinllaen.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- The new station - will have fuel tanks.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- We won't have to come to Trefor.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- This is only temporary, - while the boathouse is built.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- While the tanks are filled...
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- ..the new boat is quite a change - for chief mechanic, Alan Parry.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00- This is the tank space, - with diesel tanks on both sides...
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- ..each one holding 2,300 litres.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- It takes 4,600 all told...
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- ..enough to go 250 sea miles.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- This is the engine room.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- There are two Caterpillar C18...
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- ..1,000 horse power each.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- The boat can reach up to 25 knots.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- The boat is fitted with CCTV, - with a camera there and there.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35- When we're at sea, I can - monitor everything from my seat.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- It's like every engine.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- But these can tell us - if anything's wrong.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47- With the old engine, - you depended on your ears.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- You can't compare this - to the old boat.
0:19:50 > 0:19:56- They're different designs, with many - years advancement in technology.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- It's like going from - a Morris Minor to a Ferrari, maybe.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- Like Ferraris, lifeboats - are expensive to maintain.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- Filling the two tanks of - a lifeboat like the John D Spicer...
0:20:11 > 0:20:12- ..costs around 5,000.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- It's a lifeboat service rule...
0:20:16 > 0:20:22- ..that the tanks must always be full - and the boat ready to go out.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- It might cost a lot - to run the boats...
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- ..but you can't put - a price on life.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- A person's life is beyond price.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- With its tanks full of diesel, - the lifeboat is ready for any call.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- The boat is on its way - back to Porthdinllaen.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- Where are the walkers now?
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- After passing halfway, - how much money has been collected?
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- The buckets are quite full.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- It feels quite good.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- We've done well.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- People stopped. - We didn't have to stop them.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- We only had to show that - and they stopped.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- They set off - on the last leg to Aberdaron.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- The Porthdinllaen lifeboat - has a very important place...
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- ..in the hearts of Dawn - and her mother, Viv.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40- Obviously, I lost my husband - nearly five years ago to the sea.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- This is to commemorate - the fifth year that he's been gone.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- But it's not about being sad today.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- Today's about making - people aware of the RNLI.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- The whole of the lifeboat - is one big family.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- But obviously, Porthdinllaen - is very special in my heart...
0:22:01 > 0:22:06- ..because they worked so hard - that night, looking for him.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- This is our way - of saying, "Thanks, guys."
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- After walking more - than 9,000 paces...
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- ..with the finishing - line in sight...
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- APPLAUSE
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- ..at the end of their latest - fundraising campaign for the RNLI...
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- ..how did things go for Dawn?
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- It was absolutely amazing!
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- We're really happy at the time - it took us to do it as well.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- We were thinking we'd be here - by two. It's about 1.15pm!
0:22:46 > 0:22:47- We're really happy.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- The amount of people who stopped - us to put money in was amazing.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- One farmer said - he didn't have any cash.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- He went home - and came back with money.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01- That means a lot.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- The T-shirts made a difference.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06- How are your feet and legs?
0:23:06 > 0:23:08- How are your feet and legs?- - I thought they'd be worse.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- We'll have a glass of water - in the Ship and we'll be fine.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13- Water?
0:23:14 > 0:23:15- Yes. It sounds better!
0:23:17 > 0:23:23- It was a very successful walk, - raising more than 5,000.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- Thanks to donations like this...
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- ..the Porthdinllaen RNLI - lifeboat service...
0:23:30 > 0:23:34- ..can keep going - along the coast of North-West Wales.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:56 > 0:23:57- .