Duke of Edinburgh Award student to assist Blyth RNLI

Over the next 6 months the thirteen-year-old Blyth Academy student will undergo the competency-based training that the volunteer crew follow at the charity’s lifeboat station.

Marley said, ‘I’m really looking forward to working with the volunteer crew over the next few months and gain a greater understanding of what is involved at a RNLI lifeboat station and what the volunteer crew have to learn. Yes, I’d like to become a crew member when I turn 17.’

Marley isn’t a stranger at Blyth RNLI, as her father is a trainee helm on the station’s two inshore lifeboats. Dave Sheldon commented, ‘It’s great that the RNLI allow students to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at their lifeboat stations. It’s a proud moment for our family as Marley is the first student to study the award at Blyth RNLI. I’d like to thank the Station’s management team and volunteer crew for their assistance with Marley studying her bronze award.’

Whilst at the station, Marley will be taught how to tie knots, roles and responsibilities of personnel on the lifeboat station, launch and recovery of the lifeboats and how the personal protective equipment that the volunteer crew wear works.

RNLI Media Contacts
For more information please telephone Robin Palmer, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07801 290638 or [email protected] alternatively Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer (North and East) on 07824 518641 c[email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.