Five Looe RNLI volunteers qualify as lifeboat crew

Following several months of detailed training, RNLI Assessor Trainer, Gary Stanbury, visited Looe lifeboat station on Wednesday 6 March 2019, to formally assess volunteer crew members, Victoria Thomas, Alistair Pearn, Tom Peat, Jack Spree and Goron Jones

After quizzing Victoria and Alistair on the layout of both the Atlantic 85 and D Class inshore lifeboats, the Atlantic 85 was launched with Brian Bowdler at the helm, and headed out into Looe bay for their boat handling skills to be assessed along with anchoring, search patterns, towing and a host of other topics.

Returning to station there were beaming smiles as Gary shook their hands as they got off the lifeboat. A delighted Victoria and Alistair thanked their fellow crew and for their help and support.

Next up were volunteer crew, Goron Jones, Jack Spree and Tom Peat. Launching both inshore lifeboats, with volunteer helms Brian Bowdler, Clive Palfrey and crew Aaron Rix, they headed out into Looe bay for their assessments. Goron, Jack and Tom volunteered to join the Looe RNLI crew at the same time back in November 2017 and were delighted to pass out together last night.

RNLI assessor / trainer Gary congratulated all five on their hard work and dedication, it was the first time Gary had assessed five crew at the same time with the added challenge of assessing their abilities on both types of inshore lifeboats.

Gary and our five newly qualified crew also thanked Looe RNLI volunteer helms and lifeboat station trainers Clive Palfrey and Matt Jaycock who, with the rest of the Looe crew, have helped them through the training.

The inshore lifeboats were launched by Looe RNLI’s Deputy Launch Authority, Nick Pope, tractor drivers Chris Lewis, Richard Rix and Graham Rich with shore crew Sue Foster, Rob Deakin, Tom Langan and Ian Foster.

Victoria, Alistair, Tom, Jack and Goran all mentioned it has taken a huge amount of work but they are proud to be part of such a fantastic crew. They all said volunteering with the RNLI is an opportunity to give something back to the local community

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI newly qualified crew members
Left to right Alistair Pearn, Victoria Thomas, Tom Peat, Jack Spree and Goron Jones
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Helm Clive Palfrey with Tom Peat, Jack Spree and RNLI assessor / trainer Gary Stanbury on Looe RNLI’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II heading out into Looe bay
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

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.