In October of 2019, Colwick Park Lifeguards fell victim to vandalism while our boats were moored up in a locked compount overnight ahead of an event.
As a result of the vandalism, two of our boats suffered damage to their hulls, engines and electrical components. In effect, these boats were no longer in a state to be operated. While we were able to continue the event with our remaining boats, and by bringing additional spare vessels – the damage was far from ideal.
Luckily, Colwick Park Lifeguards are privilaged to have some incredible friends around. Upon hearing the news, Dilly, Steve and Charlie Bil immediately offered to recondition the fibreglass hulls of the two damaged boats free of charge at their boatyard in Windsor.
The boats were delivered and collected over the winter and spirng during the off-season. Although these boats are a lot smaller than what the boatyard is used to, they did a brilliant job – even offering us a guided tour of the boatyeard and the incredible work going on there.
With CPL being closely affiliated to the Royal Lifesaving Society UK (RLSS), their work did not go unnoticed. Dilly, Steve and Charlie were each awarded a Friend of the Society award by the RLSS.
With the boat hulls now watertight and as good as new, work began with reconditioning the paintwork and electrics, as well as sourcing a new engine. Once agian, the Bils helped us out massively with sourcing new engines. A further special thanks goes out to Katie, one of our longest serving and most dedicated members for spending tens of hours in the boathouse working on the boats. Katie spent time painting the boats, refitting trims, and getting the boats back to their former glory. They now look great!
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Dilly, Steve and Charlie at Tom Jones Boatyard in Windsor for all their help and everything they have done for us.
