Devon and Somerset Fire Service new recruits visit Exmouth lifeboat station

Full-time Mechanic, Andy Stott; Crew volunteers, Chris Sims; Roger Moore; Guy Munnings and Shore Crew volunteer, Neil Cannon gave informative talks on both the Shannon class lifeboat and its launching system and the D class inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II. Currently, the Exmouth all-weather lifeboat on station is relief Shannon class lifeboat Storm Rider as R and J Welburn is at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre for modifications and updates.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service Community Safety Education Officer, Dan Searle commented on the visit:

‘The highlight was the very impressive all-weather lifeboat and we appreciated the time Exmouth RNLI volunteers gave up to talk to us about various aspects of their lifesaving kit, the importance of teamwork, technical competence as well as search and rescue.

‘In the afternoon, our team received input from our Community Safety (CS) team about the Virtual Reality goggles used at events to highlight the dangers from factors causing road traffic collisions and cold water shock. The latter included collaborative work with many partner agencies including the RNLI.

‘It’s important for our firefighters to understand the skills, training and equipment of other emergency services so we can all work together to prevent loss of lives in our area. By the end of the visit, we had all gained valuable insight about saving lives at sea.’

Notes to Editors

Photos: (credit: Doug Farmer, Devon and Somerset Fire Service)

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Exmouth RNLI Crew volunteer, Roger Moore demonstrates the inshore lifeboat equipment.

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Exmouth RNLI Shore Crew volunteer, Neil Cannon talks about the Shannon launching equipment.

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Devon and Somerset Fire Service Wholetime System Firefighters with Exmouth RNLI volunteers in front of Exmouth lifeboat station.

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Exmouth RNLI Crew volunteer, Guy Munnings talks about the Shannon class lifeboat capabilities.

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Exmouth RNLI Mechanic, Andy Stott talks about the Shannon class lifeboat in the engine space.

For more information please telephone Emma Tarling, Exmouth RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07837 810082 or email: [email protected] or

Carrie Garrad, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789

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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