IT IS hard to fully appreciate the valuable work of Angle lifeboat until you have been racing across the waves with the crew.

Intrepid photographer Hannah Kinver and I patrolled Angle Bay alongside six crew members last week and discussed their campaign for a new lifeboat.

A massive appeal has been launched recently in land-locked Birmingham to raise £1million towards a new Tamar vessel.

Angle coxswain Jerry Rees (pictured right) said: "The arrival of the new boat will save lives and we are very grateful to the people of Birmingham for their support."

This new boat, which costs £2million in total, will be able to go faster and carry more passengers in comfort than is currently possible.

While out at sea a reporter from the Birmingham Evening Mail, Anna Jeys, helped simulate a rescue by agreeing to be thrown overboard.

Anna said: "It made me think about how it must feel to be stranded out at sea and gave me a new understanding of the vital work carried out by the RNLI."

Crew member of 30 years Derek Richards pointed out scenes of dramatic rescue missions over the last three decades.

He gave details of those that had gone well and also of times when even their experienced crews were unable to get to people in time.

He said: "This job can be very sad and tiring but when you arrive at an accident and help children onto the lifeboat and you see the look of relief on their faces it is incredibly rewarding."

To make a donation write to Angle Lifeboat treasurer Col Johnny Bulkley, Carew Farm, Bosherston.