RNLI Torbay to feature in BBC national news Shipping Forecast

A BBC News crew visited Brixham recently to interview RNLI Torbay Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick O’Brien for a forthcoming programme on the 150th anniversary of the Shipping Forecast.

Nick, and presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas, went aboard the Severn Class all-weather lifeboat to record an interview for the upcoming anniversary of the national forecast, describing how the RNLI have used the information over the years.

They were joined in Brixham by Senior Broadcast Journalist for BBC News Nina Goswami and cameraman Anthony Clifford on what was a cold and grey November day.

The team had first briefly visited Torbay boathouse, then conducted the interview with Nick on board relief all-weather lifeboat Volunteer Spirit whilst she was moored to the lifeboat pontoon.

Most people in Britain – whether seafarers or not – are familiar with the soothing tones of the Shipping Forecast, which is issued four times a day at 2300, 0500, 1100 and 1700 UTC and covers a 24-hour period. Whether confirming calm conditions or warning of severe gales off our coastline, the familiar names like Cromarty, Rockall and German Bight have a poetic ring, but the forecast is still used by sailors alongside other technology (and can be crucial if other equipment has failed).

The full news feature will look at the history of the Forecast and include a fascinating visit to the Met Office in Exeter to see how delivering the service has evolved over the years. Torbay falls within sea area Portland, with bordering area Plymouth nearby.

The RNLI Torbay team were pleased to be involved – catch the feature on BBC News at Six (possibly also News at Ten) on Wednesday of next week, 29 November.