Million-pound training fund helps local lifesaver learn vital skills
A volunteer crew member at Peel RNLI lifeboat station has had a vital part of her crew training funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
Chloe Spooner, 21, from Peel, Isle of Man recently travelled to the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset, to complete the charity’s Crew Emergency Procedures course. Chloe, now starting her career as an English teacher at Ramsey Grammar School, joined up as a volunteer crew member for the charity at the age of 17 while still a Sixth Form student. A keen scuba diver since the age of 12, Chloe appreciates the vital lifesaving work of the RNLI and is grateful that she is able to play a role in that work. She explained: ‘After a successful shout it is such a good feeling to know that you have helped save a life.’
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, Chloe, who joined the lifeboat crew after two years as shore crew, said: ‘The training facilities at Poole are fantastic, testing us with emergency scenarios as realistic as possible. What stood out for me was how the training developed our teamwork, helping us learn to recognise others’ skills and how to use them for the benefit of the team. Those are essential when you are all trying to right a capsized lifeboat and climb back in! ’
Chloe’s training took place in the Sea Survival Centre at the RNLI College, where she was 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 benefitted 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
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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