Burnham-on-Sea RNLI trainee helm uses lifeboat skills before transatlantic race
Trainee helm Nathan Meager didn’t expect to be putting his RNLI lifeboat skills to use during the Transatlantic Tall Ships Race but that's what happened.
Nathan and 22 other crew were on-board the sail training vessel Rona II and were making their way under engine to the new start line in the Atlantic for the race from Halifax Nova Scotia in Canada to Le Havre in France.
As they were proceeding they passed one of their competitors barely making way. They discovered the boat didn't have enough fuel to make it to the start line and were trying to sail in very little wind.
After a quick fuel calculation on board Rona II a tow was offered to the vessel Peter Van Danzig. Nathan was able to use his RNLI towing knowledge to help rig a secure tow.
After many hours a larger vessel Gulden Leeuw who was also participating in the race took over the tow as they had a greater fuel reserve and were able to make better speed.
Nathan said; ‘I was told by a previous competitor in the race that we probably wouldn't see another vessel the whole way across the Atlantic, so to see a couple of boats and to have to put my RNLI helm training to use was quite a surprise!’
Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Davies adds; ‘We are proud of Nathan and his achievement, and his dedication helps to demonstrate the high calibre of our volunteers’’
ENDS
Notes for Editors
Images with this press release have been cleared by the organisation
File name: Nathantow (Credit: Milo Mulvagh Visuals) Nathan helms for the towing of Peter Van Danzig
File name: rona2crew (Credit Rona II crew)
File name: awards at le havre (Credit Rona II crew)
File name: nathansboatbirthday (Credit Rona II crew)
Continuation of blog composed and written by Nathan Meager
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