Million-pound training fund helps local lifesavers learn vital skills
Two volunteer crew members at Invergordon RNLI lifeboat station have had a vital part of their crew training funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
Emma, a Quality and Compliance Co-ordinator was inspired to join up as a volunteer crew member for the charity as wished to help make a difference and with charity having a close connection to her roots, Emma choose the RNLI on the work they carry out and to continue in the footsteps of those before her is a great honour.
Kayleigh, a Financial Administrator was inspired to join the RNLI when looking to offer her time to something rewarding and with a keen interest from an early age in the RNLI, this was the natural path, to volunteer and help save lives.
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, Kayleigh, who volunteers as a crew member, said: The course was engaging, interesting and the team of trainers made it fun as well, which made it a great way to learn. It was a fantastic way to meet people from other stations all with a common goal and interest with Emma commenting on the skills learnt within the course were invaluable where the training team delivered the training in an inspiring and encouraging manner.
The training took place in the Sea Survival Centre at the RNLI College, where the Invergordon Trainee Crew were joined by other RNLI volunteer crew members from around the UK and Ireland.
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 benefited 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.
Notes to Editors
· *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
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