Challenging evening for volunteers

Crew attending an evening boathouse exercise were presented with a number of challenges by Walmer helm and lifeboat assessor trainer Dan Sinclair. Volunteers were split into teams and after an initial briefing some were tasked to plot a course, using paper charts and the current tide times, to a vessel sinking at the Sandettié lightship east of the lifeboat station. Crew were timed as if arriving in response to a paging, getting changed and on to the station’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Donald McLauchlan.

Once on board they were tasked with ensuring the lifeboat was ready for a night-time service, making sure the boat was Search and Rescue (SAR) capable – including checking the emergency aerial and steering. Other equipment essential for a night launch including head torches, night sights, searchlights and extra parachute flares were also checked.

Whilst lifeboat checks were being carried out the other team practised using a salvage pump to simulate pumping water from a sinking vessel and using throw bags to within half-a-metre of a target taking into account wind and possible tidal flow to a casualty in the water.

Roles were later reversed so all crew were given equal opportunity for the training. The evening concluded with fault finding on the station’s D Class inshore lifeboat Duggie Rodbard II and practising knots.

A similar evening exercise is planned for December.

Notes to editors

Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.

It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.

Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry

Photo 1 Plotting a course using paper charts.

Photo 2 Preparing for a night-time service.

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 07785 296252, [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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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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