Lifeboat trainee enjoying her Lifeboat learning

The smile says it all, one of our trainee crew, who we share with Falmouth Lifeboat station, where she is an Exeter University student, Lily Clark, was back in Poole recently with her fellow Falmouth Lifeboat crew member, David Jones to attend a CEP (Crew Emergency Procedure) course at the RNLI College

The CEP course sees volunteer crew being trained in a wide range of lifesaving 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.

Lily had the opportunity to meet other lifeboat volunteers from literally the length and breadth of the RNLI map, all crew that attend this course will tell you, that it’s a great opportunity to meet other volunteers, from different areas, countries and coastlines, sharing station stories, camaraderie, and cementing friendships, whilst challenging yourself in the Sea Survival tank.

Lily said;
‘I really enjoyed the course, and all the challenges that I may have to face. We were taught everything we need to know, should we ever find ourselves in an emergency. The wave tank experienced simulates real-life conditions, darkness, thunder, lightning, and rain, it really was full on and challenging, but we supported each other. I enjoyed meeting other volunteers and staying at the RNLI college, I wanted the whole experience, despite mum and dad being just a 100 yards down the road’.

There was another familiar face from Poole Lifeboat station, Kitty Norman whose day job is a Sea Survival Trainer, it was great for Lily to have Kitty alongside imparting her knowledge, experience and to give her confidence.

Lily will continue with her training, on shore and afloat at RNLI Falmouth and looks forward to coming back to the RNLI college for more training in the future.

As a lifeboat volunteer and from a Lifeboat family, Lily is also acutely aware that she and all the crew can only receive the first-class training, equipment, guidance, and support from the RNLI because of fundraising and generous donations from the public. The RNLI is a charity, not government funded and all volunteers like Lily and Kitty are grateful and thank the general public, for donating the money to enable them to receive the ongoing training and equipment that keeps our volunteers safe as they launch to save lives at sea. Thank you for the continued support.