Walmer RNLI welcomes latest B Class Atlantic lifeboat helm
Walmer RNLI volunteer becomes the station’s ninth to be able to take command of both inshore rescue lifeboats
In late January, Walmer D Class helm Neil Franks carried out a pre-passout on the station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Hounslow Branch. On Thursday last week, 5 March, he successfully underwent a full passout overseen by Coastal Lifeboat Trainer Ruth Oliver.
His pre-launch tasks included an online assessment of operating procedures and International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea (IRPCS) rules and including, among other things, action to avoid collision, conduct of vessels in restricted visibility, safe speed and manoeuvring and warning signals.
The afloat assessment conducted between Kingsdown near Dover and the Deal Bank buoy, and lasting some two hours, included a simulated search for a paraglider who had come down in the sea near the Dover Patrol Monument by carrying out a range of search patterns.
Comprehensive assessment was also carried out on man overboard procedures, recovering a casualty from the water and their care, an engine fire with consequent loss of an engine, towing and mooring at the Bank buoy. On the final part of the passout he carried out emergency steering with one engine for recovery into the trailer.
Following the debrief after coming ashore, Neil thanked Ruth, his crew, those on station who had helped and encouraged him and especially the shore crew team who enabled him to launch and recover the lifeboat safely.
Launch Authority Tony Evans paid tribute to Neil saying: ‘We would like to echo Neil’s thoughts and commend him for his commitment and hard work to achieve this success.’'
Notes to editors
Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.
It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Hounslow Branch and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.
Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry
To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
- Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]
- Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 [email protected]
- Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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