Horton and Port Eynon RNLI crew train with Coastguard helicopter
Horton and Port Eynon RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew had a training exercise with the crew of the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter on Sunday (21 May).
Sunday mornings are the usual times for the volunteer crew of the Horton and Port Eynon lifeboat station to undertake their training. This Sunday’s training was different from the norm as the UK Coastguard had sent a helicopter to join in part of the training.
The helicopter landed near to the lifeboat station and its crew gave a full briefing to the lifeboat crew members before the exercise started.
The RNLI lifeboat was launched and then took part in the exercise with the helicopter. This included winching up a crew member and also carrying out a number of manoeuvres to ensure that the RNLI crew is familiar with working with a helicopter at sea.
Lawrie Grove, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Horton and Port Eynon RNLI Lifeboat Station, added: ‘The RNLI often works closely with the UK Coastguard helicopters in rescues and exercises such as the one we had today are invaluable to ensure that we all work together as a team.'
Notes to editors:
Attached are one photograph of the RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew being briefed by the crew members of the UK Coastguard Helicopter and two photographs of the helicopter getting ready to winch an RNLI crew member.
For more information please contact Brin Hurford, Horton and Port Eynon RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07968 269550 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].
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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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