RAF Chivenor under attack

This 1988 programme looks at the threatened emergency rescue services of North Devon, specifically the coastguard stations, lifeboats, helicopters and personnel at RAF Chivenor. Paul Adams recently had to be rescued by an RAF rescue helicopter from Chivenor after he was cut off by the tide after falling into the sea, here he shares his experience. He notes that if Chivenor was to close down the next closest air emergency service would have been Brawdy in Wales. It would have taken them an extra 20 minutes to get to where he was and he more than likely would not have survived, although he is very glad he did. One clear message of the programme is, if we are to lose these vital services in Devon, tourists and locals will suffer loss of life due to extended rescue times. Derek Jones narrates.

Tony Speller MP for North Devon is interviewed about the threatened closure of North Devon Coastguards, Lifeboats and Helicopters at RAF Chivenor. He states, due to lack of funding the system is searching for economy at the expense of human life. The programme also interviews Dave Taylor from the Ilfracombe Coastguard, Andy Cory Coastguard Union, Dick Richards Regional Controller at Swansea, Frank Elson a Clovelly Life boatman, Mike Houchen from Clovelly, Duncan Withall a Shore Agent. John Unwin the Divisional Inspector of the RNLI, Mike Essex part of the Ilfracombe Round Table, Peter Ruddock a local fisherman, Flt. Sgt Mick Crawford and Dr Hassan Shenavar from North Devon Hospital about their varied opinions on the threatened closure of Royal Air Force Chivenor.