Million-pound training fund helps Girvan lifesavers learn vital skills
3 of our newer volunteer crew members at Girvan RNLI lifeboat station have had a vital part of their crew training funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
Fraser Stirling, Chloe White and Luciana McGarvie, from Girvan, recently travelled to the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset, to complete the charity’s Crew Emergency Procedures course.
The course sees volunteer crew being trained in a variety of crucial subjects such as how to deal with fires aboard lifeboats, how to ‘abandon ship’ in the event of an emergency (with a 4m jump into water), team survival swimming, coping in a life-raft in simulated darkness, how to right a capsized inshore lifeboat, and the importance of lifejackets. It also includes sessions on the correct use of flares, fire extinguishers and throw bags.
Talking about the training, Luciana, who volunteers as a crew member aboard our Shannon all-weather lifeboat, said: "The training provided on the RNLI Crew Emergency Procedures course has provided me with the necessary skills to keep myself safe while assisting those in difficulty at sea, all of the instructors are very patient and were fantastic in delivering the course. I now feel like I’ll be able to make quick informed decisions in whatever situation that I face and stay calm and focussed due to my training, I am grateful to the Lloyd’s Register Foundation for providing the necessary funding this training course."
Chloe, luciana & Fraser’s training took place in the Sea Survival Centre at the RNLI College, where they was joined by other RNLI volunteer crew members from around the UK and Ireland.
Recently joined crew member Chloe White went on to say "I Thought the training was brilliant and the instructors were very knowledgeable I enjoyed every Aspect of the course and everyone was very accommodating I can say from attending that training course that I have learned a lot and will be Able to put my training to good use when the need arises, the overall experience was fantastic.
Fraser echoed the girls evaluation of the course saying "The training, facilities and instructors were brilliant, on top of the training we receive on station, this course compliments that, teaching us not only valuable skills but how to deal with potentially what are life threatening and scary situations in a calm and professional manner, the whole experience was amazing."
The training was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a charitable foundation that helps to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research. The Foundation has committed to funding the RNLI’s Crew Emergency Procedures course for a second 5-year period until December 2020. This additional funding of £1.06M brings their total support for RNLI crew training to just over £2.46M* since 2008. More than 3,000 RNLI volunteer crew members have now received the training thanks to Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s funding.
James Kilburn, Lifesaving Delivery Training Manager at the RNLI said, ‘We are so grateful to Lloyd’s Register Foundation for funding this vital part of our volunteer crews’ training.
‘Their support is very important to us and it’s fantastic how, so far, over 3,000 of our crew members have benefitted from Lloyd’s Register Foundation funding this part of their training. As only one in ten of our volunteer crew members comes from a professional maritime background, the Crew Emergency Procedures course is crucial in giving our volunteers the training they need and helping keep them as safe as possible while carrying out rescues. It gives volunteers the confidence to save lives even in the most challenging conditions.’
This donation is the latest in Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s relationship with the RNLI, which was recognised in 2010 when it received the Group Supporter Award from HRH Prince Michael of Kent in recognition of its valuable support of the charity
Additional Notes
- *Lloyd’s Register Foundation funded £1M to the RNLI over 5 years from 2010–2015; and £400K over 2 years from 2008–2009, taking over the obligations of the Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust in 2013.
About Lloyd's Register Foundation
Lloyd’s Register Foundation is a charitable foundation which helps to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research. www.lrfoundation.org.uk
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.