New kit for Hartlepool RNLI volunteers
Hartlepool RNLI volunteers have recently been issued with some of the very best kit to wear when they go out to sea in all weathers.
Earlier in 2018 the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) announced a lifesaving partnership with the Norwegian brand that will support the charity’s aim of defeating drowning.
Helly Hansen was announced as the RNLI’s new supplier of all-weather lifeboat crew clothing, providing specially designed kit to meet the demanding needs of the charity’s volunteer crews.
Jake Oates, volunteer crewmember at Hartlepool Lifeboat Station said: ‘The new all-weather lifeboat kit is absolutely brilliant. It’s much lighter than the old kit and uses breathable fabric, which is ideal for the more demanding tasks we often need to carry out.
‘It was great to find out that it kept you both warm and dry, even while out at sea in some rough conditions’.
The new kit is lighter, more comfortable and designed to allow greater freedom of movement than the kit it is replacing and it will ensure the charity’s volunteer crew members have the very best kit to wear.
Specially designed with the RNLI to ensure it meets the demanding needs of the RNLI’s volunteer crews, the new kit uses state of the art waterproof and breathable Helly Tech fabric which provides increased comfort compared to the previous non-breathable fabric of the old kit. The light but strong kit is reinforced for exposed areas and its technical layering system ensures crew members will keep warm and dry while out at sea.
The kit comes in a wide range of sizes and has bespoke designs to fit both male and female crew members, unlike the kit it is replacing. The new bib, midlayer and baselayer garments have a specific fit for female crew members, enabling better comfort and freedom of movement.
As part of the strategic partnership with the RNLI, Helly Hansen has committed to supporting the RNLI for the next five years through a variety of life-saving activities. These include delivering drowning prevention messages to their customers, generating income, supporting fundraising and safety campaigns, product innovation and supplying the very best kit to the RNLI’s lifesavers.
For more information please contact Tom Collins, Volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on: 01429 266103
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.