Four Barmouth volunteers return from training course at RNLI College.
Four volunteer lifeboat crewmen returned last week from hands-on training held at the RNLI’s headquarters in Poole.
Dan Griffith, Paul Williams, Angus Massey and Tom Allday undertook the charity’s intensive Crew Emergency Procedure and Sea Survival training, funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
As well as classroom theory lessons, they were required to undergo realistic and demanding emergency procedures in the RNLI Sea Survival Centre's 25m wave-generating tank, enduring simulated storm conditions including cold, darkness and lightning whilst conducting ‘abandon ship’ procedures and deploying life rafts.
Dan Griffith, who works for local butcher David Jones, said:
‘It had always been an ambition of mine to join the RNLI, and I was delighted when this became a reality in 2015. Being part of the Barmouth crew is an honour; everyone has been so approachable it is like being part of a big family. The camaraderie too, is great - and the age of the whole team ranges from 17 to 50-something!
The training course at Poole was excellent and exceeded my expectations. It was as if everything I had learnt in the past three years here at Barmouth has been put in perspective and this course brought it all together.’
The four, who all live locally, agree the course was strenuous but thoroughly enjoyable and say that giving something back to the community in such a challenging way is both exciting and rewarding. They considered it a privilege to receive such excellent, confidence-boosting training and they will continue giving up their time to ensure they remain highly trained and exercise regularly with Barmouth’s Mersey Class and D Class lifeboats.
Coxswain Peter Davies, said:
‘Providing regular training for our crews, both in Poole and here in Barmouth, is vitally important and we are fortunate to have recruited young local people who have the potential, with the help of the first class training available to them, to make excellent crew members.’
To date, the Lloyd's Register Foundation has supported the training of over 3000 RNLI volunteer crew, a record which the charity values immensely.
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.