Barmouth RNLI volunteers qualify as helmsmen for Inshore lifeboat.

Anthony Schorah (better known as Jaffa) and Dan Cartwright have spent the past year undertaking practical and theory training. The training was station-based in Barmouth and included a variety of aspects of being in charge of a D-Class lifeboat, managing anchoring, searching for a casualty, towing and many other different features that involve being a helm on an inshore lifeboat.

After completing his final assessment Jaffa, who has been a crew member since he was 17, said:

‘It went really well; the training provided by the RNLI is second to none and I am pleased that I can now look forward to being helm of the D Class ILB the Craig Steadman.’

During his time as volunteer crew member, Dan Cartwright has also been out on numerous shouts with the ILB. Dan was very impressed with the first-rate teaching approach from Training Instructors from Poole and for the practical sessions at Barmouth, saying:

‘It is a privilege to receive such excellent, confidence-boosting training and I would like to thank all those who have made it possible for me.’

Coxswain Mechanic Peter Davies, who is responsible for overseeing the crew’s training in line with the RNLI’s Competency Framework, said:

‘Providing training is vitally important for our volunteers and I am delighted that we now have another two reliable and competent crew members who have passed out as helmsmen for our D Class ILB. But this is just the beginning; they will continue to learn practically from going out and taking charge of the ILB in all sorts of weather conditions. In fact Dan did an excellent job at the helm of the ILB yesterday, taking it out on exercise in force 6 to 7 winds.’

Both will continue giving up their time to ensure they remain highly trained and exercise regularly with Barmouth’s all weather and D Class lifeboats. They will also be very much involved in the training for the new RNLI Shannon Class lifeboat which begins in earnest in January 2019.

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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