Former lifeboat skipper buys his own to charter

At 24 tonnes and 47ft, Annie Blaker arrived in the Bailiwick on Wednesday after a 55mph journey down the M5 and a sail across the channel.

She has been brought over to work as part of Guernsey Boat Charter.

Skipper Buz White has gone full circle, from being involved in the RNLI since he was a child to now owning his own lifeboat.

He started off as a small boy polishing the brass and going on exercises with the crew.

He joined the crew in 1982 and retired on 2 June last year – 40 years to the day.

‘I’ve always wanted one of these, I watched the first one getting built in 1982 in England,’ he said.

‘It’s quite fitting that I have my own now.’

Access Challenger, the boat that Mr White rebuilt in 1991 and launched in 1992 will still be used, but Annie B can cater for rougher weather.

‘I’d bashed it through all sorts of weather and she’s getting on a bit so I thought we’d have a more comfortable boat for the bad weather,’ he said.

Annie B came from Wicklow and was the last Tyne class lifeboat out of service, so Mr White will be keeping the lifeboat colours, particularly ahead of the 200th anniversary of the RNLI next year.

She is more than double the weight of Access Challenger and will be more comfortable, licensed for 12 passengers, with more room to walk around and space on the bow for picnics.

Annie Blaker was a lifeboat supporter who grew up in Bognor Regis and covered half the cost of the lifeboat with a gift left in her will.

Mr White’s latest addition will be used for charter, once coding and licensing has been completed, along with the fitting of brand new safety equipment.

He hopes to continuing chartering islanders, as well as doing slow cruises around the coast with tourists and cruise liner passengers.

Annie B will be ready for charter at the beginning of May.

n Updates can be found at www.guernseyboatcharter.com.