Two new helms for Falmouth RNLI
Falmouth Lifeboat Station is celebrating two new helms this week. Crew members Lloyd Barron and Cadan Harris have successfully completed the rigorous helm assessment and can now take command of the station’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, the Robina Nixon Chard.
Falmouth locals, Lloyd and Cadan both started at the lifeboat station in January 2019 and have attended 86 shouts between them in that time. Like almost all RNLI crew, they are volunteers who take time out from their normal life to help those in trouble at sea whenever the call comes. Lloyd works at A&P and Cadan at Pendennis Shipyard – just a short distance from the lifeboat station.
Now that they are helms, they will be responsible for rescuing the lives of those in danger at sea while also safeguarding the crew members on board the inshore lifeboat.
Falmouth Lifeboat Coxswain, Jonathan Blakeston said: “I’m delighted that Lloyd and Cadan have passed their assessments and all of their hard work over the last 12 months has been rewarded – a superb effort from both of them.
“Lloyd and Cadan have both sacrificed countless evenings and weekends with their families to attend shouts, alongside many hours of helm training. They are a real credit to the lifeboat station, and I’d like to thank them both for their commitment and time.”
He added: “I’d also like to say a big thank you to their employers A&P and Pendennis, for allowing them to attend shouts. From an operational point of view, it’s a big advantage to us that Lloyd and Cadan are so close by. When the pager goes off, they’re able to get to the station very quickly and the boat can usually leave within 10 minutes. Having the support of local employers in Falmouth is hugely appreciated and enables us to keep saving lives at sea.”
Following his assessment, Cadan Harris - who has since attended his first shout as helm - said: “It feels amazing to pass out and take the next step in my lifeboat volunteering journey. I’m really looking forward to taking the helm on future training sessions and shouts.”
Fellow ILB helm, Lloyd Barron added: “I’m really excited to have passed my assessment, after so many hours of preparation, and just in time for the peak summer season. I’m ready to hit the ground running!”
Falmouth Lifeboat Station is one of the busiest stations in the South West region. Last year, it responded to the highest number of shouts in its history after reaching 110 in total – a total of 739 volunteer hours at sea. To make a donation to Falmouth Station visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Falmouth-RNLI-Lifesavers-Fund-2021
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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