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Newcastle RNLI return to the water for training exercises

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteer crew at Newcastle RNLI returned to sea recently after normal training exercises had to be curtailed due to Covid-19.

RNLI/Newcastle

Newcastle RNLI
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While the station has remained fully operational throughout the pandemic and
volunteers have remained on call 24/7, training has been limited.

The crew took their first training session in daylight hours in Dundrum Bay while the second exercise was at night. The crew all wore the necessary Covid-19 PPE as well as their usual sea going suits and lifejackets during the training.

The Mersey class all-weather lifeboat, Eleanor and Bryant Girling, was given a timely workout on both occasions and was an opportunity for the crew member’s to put their training and lifesaving skills into practice.

Speaking following the exercises, Newcastle RNLI Coxswain Nathan Leneghan said: ‘Maintaining our lifesaving service while keeping our people safe continues to be the RNLI’s main priority. Exercises form an important part of our work, allowing our lifeboat crews to maintain their skills and ensure they are always prepared for what they face out at sea.
‘In the daylight exercise, we went on a local area knowledge exercise and mechanical shakedown to trial all the systems ensuring they are ready when required. It was a glorious morning and a great opportunity to return to exercise.’

Newcastle RNLI second Coxswain Niall McMurray added: ‘During the night-time exercise, the crew covered some mechanical engine tests after which we went on to focus on emergency procedures. We ran through all the alarms on the lifeboat to reacquaint ourselves with the different sounds and how to react if they were activated in a real-life situation. We practised a fire drill and how to deal with a fire in each area of the lifeboat. We then went on to test our flares which are primarily used to light up an area at night before concluding the evening learning how to rig and operate the emergency steering.'

Ends

Newcastle RNLI return to the water for training exercises

RNLI/Newcastle

Newcastle RNLI
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 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.

About the author

Tony Sutcliffe
Lifeboat Press Officer, Newcastle Lifeboat Station

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