George's Newsletter
Thursday 8th July, the new Jennies Bridge was lowered into place.
The
bridge rail is an excellent example of safety railing. Good height and
vertical bar. A lifebelt pole will be erected at the bridge. There is still
a fair amount of groundwork to be carried out, but hopefully the bridge will
open soon then perhaps something will be done about the terrible state of
the riverbank between this bridge and Rutherglen Bridge.
We can only advise and hope.
The Decommissioning service of the Bennie took place on Sunday 27th July.
Over 100 persons attended which was quite good considering we clashed with a
certain England v Germany football match. The service was conducted by the
Rev Peter Davidge with assistance from Rev John Whiteford and the Clydebank
Burgh brass band and friends played melodies and hymns.
At one point the wonderful service was rudely interrupted by the Klaxon for the phone going off; thankfully it was not an emergency and was only a lovely wee lady with a wrong number.
After the speeches decommissioning and official commissioning of the other boats, a fine spread was partaken of in the Garden of the GHS House, many thanks to all those who helped provide the food and all those that attended.
Recently Tony and George posed around at the opening of the new Marine
Skills Centre at the Nautical College. Lifeguard Mark McKay was also in
attendance taking photographs of Tony and George posing. An excellent buffet
was partaken of, charmingly distributed. The College Cadets were perfectly
turned out on either side of the approach road to the Centre.
George managed
to crash a ship in the lagoon in Venice, and Tony came close to being sea
sick with the very big waves (on the simulator). Even though this was a
social night out, we had to keep a watching brief and report, young men
having climbed the fencing and going right down the riverbank opposite the
College.
Thanks to the College for the invite.
The Society AGM has came and gone ably chaired by Mr Jim Moffat in the absence of Mr John Park. We are thankful to all who continue to support the Society and to the City Council for their excellent buffet and Deputy Lord Provost Allan Stewart for his kind words An official photograph was taken of all who attended.
On Saturday 27th June a film crew employed by the new transport museum were
in attendance at Glasgow Green from 0800hrs until 1700hrs filming mock
operational procedures in the Bennie lifeboat before its imminent move to
the museum where it will be dried out carefully before appearing as part of
a grand Glasgow Humane Society display when the new museum opens. Thanks go
to LG Ben who allowed himself to be rescued a fair number of times.
Sunday 28th June saw the decommissioning of the Bennie. Over 100 persons attended which was a good number considering that there was some other event taking place and being shown on the television. An article on the decommissioning will appear at a later date.
The Standing Boats by George Parsonage Riverman Art 2010
On 6th June 2010, George completed his sculpture on the riverbank inside the Society Compound.
This sculpture epitomises the "junk sculpture"idiom in which George has worked since graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in 1967.
Boats used in this art work were involved in crashes on the river, and
therefore forby commanding a place in Glasgow Green as a work of Art, it is
a warning to all river users that if they do not behave and follow the Rules
and Guidelines for safe behaviour, their boat could end up in a similar
sculpture.
The hulls of the boats are placed facing south west into the prevailing winds
I have recently been talking about the yearly clearance of foliage and growth along our river banks.
Although we have had a large clearance under the Sustrans contract between Rutherglen and Dalmarnock Bridges, we have not had the usual clearance of both south and north banks between the Tidal Weir and Rutherglen Bridges.
The result is that Hogweed and knockweed which is usually dealt with during
the months of March and April when it starts to show through the ground, is
now rampant and will soon flower and seed giving us more problems for the
future.
Last week there was a programme on Television outlining the dangers
of Hogweed and any doubters regarding the dangers of this plant have only to
Google "hogweed" to find the real truth. If something is not done soon about
this persons walking along the towpath throughout Glasgow Green or walking
along the south bank along Adelphi Street, will not be able to view much of
the River.
This will be especially disappointing during the World Pipe Band
Championships and the Glasgow Festival and puts us back again in the
programme we drew up which hoped to have these "plants" eradicated (or got
rid of as much as possible) before the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
The Glasgow Humane Society is fighting this corner and hopefully results will be forthcoming.
You may be wondering what is happening regarding the upgrading of the towpath upstream of Rutherglen Bridge.
There are so many groups involved in work on this section due to the build up for the Commonwealth Games, that attempts are being made/meetings held, to bring everyone together with a co-ordinated scheme to achieve the best results possible while at the same time ensuring hard to come by cash is not wasted—watch this space.
Debate is taking place regarding the Hogweed that is showing itself through the ground just now, as to how much a danger it is (if in any doubt look it up on Google) and how best to get rid of it.
With Tony and I spending so much time at Erskine (see recent achievements), we have slipped back a bit in our other work such as cleaning, repairing, painting/varnishing craft in readiness for the forthcoming events at which we will give safety cover.
We are catching up on this I am glad to say, and much of the fleet is beginning to look ship shape again.
We are also working in conjunction with Highland Colour Coating Ltd who has produced a lifebelt pole with high viz yellow colour as an example of what lifebelt poles should look like. This pole is sited outside the House at Glasgow Green.
We are delighted with the work of Restorative Justice/Glasgow Community Safety Partnership in painting the railings along the river Clyde.
Under our guidance, boom gate barriers have been painted yellow as have all lifebelt poles and positions.
This work is ongoing and we hope it will be continued upriver as the gates throughout Glasgow Green and the opposite banking require re-painting as does the railing and lifebelt poles at Govan.
Noted in RSR web site--
Following the discussion about the recent incident at Walton Bridge and the revelation of the tragic event at Penton Hook lock to which many of us were completely unaware, I wholly concur that it could be extremely valuable to the rowing community to be able to reinforce the local safety regulations with accounts of past accidents. Such accounts could go far to help rowers remember the possible consequences.
Maybe a website showing a risk assessment of the local rowing environment complete with such accounts and map links would be ideal.
Following this incident I produced a Safety sheet covering this specific issue and there have been new bridge markings and guidance from the TRRC. Anatole Beams - CWSA Putney Town RC Original account and addendum:
Incident on Saturday 25th July 2009 at c. 2.45pm - Dove Pier, Hammersmith I write to advise that I collided sideways/broadside onto the bow of the outer positioned barge/houseboat permanently moored at Dove Pier on Saturday at about 2.45pm.
There were no other parties involved, there were no injuries and the conditions were that the tide was coming in fast and the wind had strengthened.
After passing through Hammersmith bridge, I was approximately 50 Metres distance from the shoreline based houseboats and, whilst not unaware of the two large barges positioned further out in the river, completely underestimated the combined strength of the incoming tide and the wind and left it too late to pull out into the river in front of them; whilst attempting to avoid them, the collision occurred and my single scull was then caught by a rigger on its bow; it was subsequently hooked off by a motor launch which attached it to one of the houseboats on the shore.
Both the scull and I were immediately picked up (myself from the barge onto which I had been helped) and given a lift back my club, Putney Town RC by the RNLI who were exercising nearby.
As advised, the scull hit the barge broadside and has suffered a severe crack to its outer shell in the centre of its hull; there are various other marks and the top of the scull and the hull will need to be seamed together again.
The scull capsized on impact and the tide pulled me down under the barges with the current pulling me lengthwise under the barges, allowing little light and only an indistinct outline of the hull(s).
It was only when I realised what was happening and swam to my left that I found some daylight above and a way out. It was fortunate that I am comfortable in water and a strong swimmer.
I am a member of Putney Town RC and immediately reported the incident to Anatole Beams, Water Safety Adviser Putney Town RC.
Addendum 29th July 2009, I would like to correct a small but important detail in my previous report dated Monday 27th July 2009.
As I think you are aware, my concerns about this incident relate far more to my personal safety on this occasion than to my admittedly poor navigation skills, though I have had no previous reason to seriously doubt my abilities in regard to the latter.
When the scull capsized, I was immediately pulled down under the barge by the very strong current.
At this stage, I realised that my feet were still in the shoes and that I was virtually upside down, being held by my feet; I would certainly not have been able to turn and grab the scull because the current was so strong. I automatically kicked off the shoes and was immediately drawn down under the barges into virtually complete darkness, aware that I was being drawn gently in a particular direction.
There was no question of my being able to see the "indistinct outline of the hulls" as I previously stated; I realised that there was something above me and that I was being propelled in a particular direction where there was just more darkness, so instinctively swam to my left and away from the direction in which I was going. Even so, I had to take at least four or five strong (breast) strokes (probably three Metres plus) before I finally caught sight of a glimmer of light above.
I think that I was probably very lucky and also that I probably acted correctly in the circumstances, which were, to the point, out of my control; I kept down deep and so did not risk hitting my head or body on the metal hull of the barge which might have disorientated me and did not panic and so was able to act logically; however, I do admit to worrying when I started to swim to the left and did not find light immediately, as I was aware that I had not taken a very large breath of air before submerging.
My point in writing this addendum is that I am not confident that a weak swimmer would not have panicked with awful consequences. I do not know why I earlier stated that I saw the outlines of the barges as it was just not true, and it is the memory of that almost total darkness, with only the current providing any orientation/direction, that remains; I suspect that I was suppressing those fears that developed after the event.
All rowers and scullers would do well to read and take cognisance of the this article/discussion in Recreational sport rowing web site. Follow this link to the original Safety lesson learned the hard way article.
After speaking with Carl Douglas Boat builder I sent the following to RSR:
There are persons up here in Scotland who go sculling wearing a bum bag lifejacket. I have personal experience of wearing one. I have tested it in a swimming pool and it is easy to use.
Frequently I have demonstrated this on land to other scullers etc--few purchase one. I am only pointing out that this is available.
Another good idea for someone sculling on their own is to carry a length of strong twine with a weight on the end in the boat. In event of capsize the person in the water can throw the weighted end to anyone who happens to be passing on the banking. Just another version of the wonderful throw rope idea that should be carried by every person walking, running, cycling up the side of a waterway. You never know when a throw rope is going to save your life--as you can carry out a rescue without placing yourself in too much danger.
End of ramble Stay safe--and if in doubt--don't go out.
Glasgow Humane Society having given safety cover to HF electrics during their lighting up of the St Andrews Suspension Bridge, are delighted to state their appreciation of the excellent work subsequently carried out throughout the Society complex.
Don’t Mix Whisky and Water This Winter
With the festive season in full swing, the Glasgow Humane Society (GHS) lifeboat team is urging revellers to stay well clear of the city’s icy waterways.
The GHS unit is on heightened alert at this time of year as office parties and nights out hit the town. However, the river accident prevention experts are sending out a clear message this winter: do not go anywhere near the water, especially if you have been drinking.
George Parsonage, popularly dubbed ‘Riverman’, has been on lifeboat patrol along Glasgow’s waterways for 42 years with the Humane Society.
Having recovered more than 1,500 bodies during his tenure, he has seen first-hand the dangers of mixing seasonal celebrations with the freezing rivers.
George says: “Have fun over the holidays, but please remember that alcohol and the cold waters of Glasgow is a deadly mix”.
The Humane Society warns Glasgow’s steep river banks are often crumbling and liable to give way. Equally, people must be extra vigilant for ice on bridges and walkways at this time of year as there is a very real danger of slipping or falling in.
“Tragically, I’ve seen it happen before,” adds George. “We really don’t want any lives ruined this year – your own, or the lives of loved ones – because of one moment of silliness or over-confidence near water.
“Currents are fierce and the temperature in rivers such as the Clyde is always remarkably low. You would have just three or four minutes before early signs of hypothermia set in.
“Combine this with the rubbish and weeds tangling around your ankles and swimming becomes frighteningly difficult. Trust me – you really do not want to take the chance.”
Children are also being reminded not to climb fences or play on railings near the water. Never attempt to retrieve footballs or any other items that may have been lost to the fast flowing rivers.
Tony Coia, an officer at the GHS, advises people to immediately dial 999 if they spot someone in the water.
“The first thing to do is call the emergency service and ask for the police water control unit,” Coia says.
“Next identify one of the orange-coloured lifebelts located at set points along the river’s banks, remove it from its hook, and throw it with one hand – like a discus – into the water.
“You should aim for it to land as near to the casualty as possible without injuring them. Ask the person to hang on to the ring-shaped lifebelt and kick with their legs toward the nearest exit point.
“If the lifebelt has a rope, you could gently pull them in toward safety. But never under any circumstances enter the water yourself. We do not want to be recovering two casualties.”
Unfortunately, lifebelts and their ropes are regularly stolen or vandalised. Each belt costs £50 to replace and they are all too often not in place when desperately needed in an emergency.
The GHS has recovered upward of 600 belts in the past year alone.
Tony adds, “It is concerning that anyone would damage such important equipment. We would like to remind people that a stolen lifebelt can mean a stolen life”.
George Parsonage’s father Ben served the Humane Society for 61 years before him. Between them, the Parsonages have dedicated more than 100 years of their lives to rescue and recovery work from the GHS base beside St Andrew’s bridge in Glasgow Green.
“As my father used to tell me, ‘The rivers are a wonderful friend to Glasgow’,” George says. “’But they can be an unforgiving enemy if we don’t treat them with respect’.”
We were extremely sorry to hear of the death of Donald MacKinnon.
Donald first came into contact with the Glasgow Humane Society when George Parsonage attended a course in welding at the college where Donald was a tutor. A friendship developed and it was not long before George was collecting scrap metal from the college to use in his sculptures and Donald was collecting lifebelts for use on the canal (Donald was the Chairman of the Scottish Inland Waterways Association and President of the Forth and Clyde Canal Society.)
On George’s two world record rows of Loch Ness, Donald was timekeeper and Official judge for the Guinness Book of Records.
When welding assistance was required at the Society wharfage Donald and his friends duly arrived and carried out work on the piling around the pontoon. This friendship continued with visits to Glasgow Green and the Forth and Clyde Canal. Many a good time was had.
Our thoughts are with Regina, Gordon and Ilse at this time.
Recently Tony and I have been doing a lot of work regarding trees which have fallen into the river. Fallen trees prove a hazard to river users; they catch other trees and debris coming downriver forming larger barriers and lodge across bridge piers even at times blocking complete arches. Once the trees are in the river they are extremely difficult to get out and it would be much better if they were cut down and removed before they fell into the water.
Unfortunately this takes money which it would appear the various Councils do not have and as a result it doesn’t get done. There are hundreds of dead trees lying on the banks of the Clyde ready to be washed away next flood. There are hundreds more trees, dead, but still standing which will in time be washed away. There are hundreds more ready to fall and many take parts of the banking with them when they fall. It is a serious problem.
But back to the work of Tony and I. We do our best to move trees downriver to the weir where the Glasgow City Council boat the “St Mungo” can safely remove them This can entail hours of steady towing by row boat (as motorised craft are not good for manoeuvring when towing in fast currents)
It can entail cutting the trees up into sections we can handle using axes and hand saws (single and double). Sometimes we receive assistance from rowers from the Clubs who supply pulling power to get a tree into the banking or up the banking until the tides currents and winds are right to get it downriver.
At present there are more than 20 fallen trees (or large tree braches) lying in the river between the tidal weir at Glasgow green and Westhorn Park.
We are gradually removing these. It takes time; it takes skill and knowledge of tides, currents and winds gathered by Society Officers during lifetimes on the river and it saves Councils thousands of pounds.