Porthdinllaen volunteer travels to Dorset for RNLI training
A volunteer crew member at Porthdinllaen RNLI lifeboat station has recently completed a vital part of her crew training which was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
A key part of the course is the sea survival element, which enables new volunteer crew to be trained in a variety of crucial subjects including how to ‘abandon ship’ with a 4m jump into water; team survival swimming and coping in a life raft in simulated darkness. They also learn how to deal with fires aboard lifeboats; how to right a capsized inshore lifeboat and the importance of lifejackets.
Training took place in the Sea Survival Centre at the charity’s college, which includes a 25m wave-generating survival tank, allowing trainees to experience first-hand some of the scenarios they may encounter at sea should they ever need to abandon their lifeboat.
The training was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation (LR Foundation), a UK registered charity that connects science, safety and society by supporting quality research and promoting skills and education. The Foundation is funding the Sea Survival element of RNLI’s Trainee Crew Courses for a further 5 year period from January 2016 to December 2020. This additional funding of £1.06M will bring their total support for RNLI crew training to just over £2.46M*.
Talking about the training, Sandy said:
'I 'have always thought what it would be like to be a crew member but never lived close enough to the sea.
‘When I moved to Nefyn it was the perfect opportunity to fulfil my ambition of being an RNLI crew member. It was a hard intensive week and was physically challenging but I enjoyed every minute of it. The trainers were meticulous and are an asset to the college; they know how to bring out the best in people and I thank them for giving me the skills and knowledge I now have to go out and make a difference. It really was an amazing experience.
‘I would like to thank all those involved at the training department at Poole and the LR Foundation for funding this essential part of our training.'
Keneth Fitzpatrick Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Operations Manager said:
‘The support given by LR Foundation is hugely important to the RNLI. We are extremely grateful that the Foundation has chosen to continue to fund sea survival training By acquiring these skills our volunteer crew will be safer, have more courage, control and self-confidence to save lives even in the most perilous seas.’
This donation is just the latest in LR Foundation’s relationship with the RNLI, which was recognised in 2010 when it received the Group Supporter Award from HRH Prince Michael of Kent in recognition of its valuable support of the charity
Notes to editor
Attached is a photo of Sandy Neate, Porthdinllaen RNLI volunteer. Credit: Porthdinllaen RNLI.
RNLI media contact
For more information contact Dylan Thomas, Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Press Officer on 07747 600019. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 07771 941390 or email [email protected].
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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