Collaboration, Alliance, Partnership and Co-operation
RNLI Rye Harbour is committed to delivering the best outcomes when saving lives at sea and to achieve this requires teamwork, not just within the lifeboat station but by co-operating and working with all the major agencies which attend shouts alongside lifeboat crew.
A programme of mutual training and understanding the different equipment used has been implemented at the Rye Harbour station. Tony Peters, helm, has been responsible for organising training sessions with the Rye Bay Coastguard team. On Sunday 10 February they visited the station and Tony talked them through the life-saving equipment which is used so that there could be discussions about the variations between the two agencies.
David Dunlop, Station Officer for Rye Bay Coastguards, commented at the end of the morning’s training, ‘A really useful combined training session preparing both teams to work together in an operational session.’
Tony Peters, using actual equipment, talked the coastguards through how the RNLI operates at the station and on the boat, an Atlantic 85. The RNLI uses check cards which are a vital part of any scenario and these are employed by two crew members so that one can work on the casualty whilst the other records the observations on the cards. Joseph Brown, lifeboat crew, demonstrated the stretcher which is attached to the A frame of the lifeboat. Wayne Blackman from the coastguards was a willing volunteer and the exercise enabled both teams to see how the stretcher is used.
George Clark, a new volunteer recruit observed, ‘This was the most useful aspect of today’s training because we were instructed on how the colour-coded straps work. It is a clever feature as it makes for easy identification of which strap to use and where. It helped the new recruits to re-focus upon skills already learned and made us feel more confident should we need to use the stretcher on a shout.’
Whilst the training was taking place upstairs general maintenance was being carried out downstairs on the station’s tractor. Paul Anderson, a busy long-distance removal man, makes time each week to ensure that the tractor is fully maintained. This involves checking tyre pressure, that the lights are fully functional, and that the parts that require it are greased and cleaned. Once washed down and whilst still wet a fine mist of oil is sprayed on to surfaces to protect the tractor from the salt in the sea water when launching. When the boat goes out on a shout or for training the shore crew take the opportunity also to maintain the DO-DO (Drive On-Drive Off) trailer which also needs cleaning and spaying with a fine coating of oil for protection.
To maintain high standards of maintenance, training and equipment there are many, many hours spent each week by the dedicated volunteers at the station enabling them to be ready at any time of the night or day to save lives at sea. It is important to remember that behind every boat launch lies sustained effort and dedication.
RNLI Media contacts
• Kt Bruce, Rye Harbour RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (07789) 818878 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.
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.