Walmer RNLI celebrates its latest helm progression

Neil began volunteering at Walmer in August 2016. Although unable to undertake the command course at Poole due to Covid restrictions, he was placed on a helm plan in October 2021. Continuous on-station training was carried out by Walmer’s Lifeboat Training Assessor Dan Sinclair and Lifeboat Training Co-ordinator Lee Waddon, along with a pre-pass out last month overseen by Lifeboat Assessor Trainer Dave Needham. Neil is also one of the station’s casualty care trained crew.

His rigorous three-hour pass out included a one hour written paper on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS). After an conducting an initial briefing for both boat and shore crew and launching on the station's D Class lifeboat Duggie Rodbard II, he was presented with a number of assessed scenarios on managing launch and recovery, anchoring and veering, managing an engine fire and search patterns. He was also then diverted to a capsized kayak near Deal Pier with a possible person in the water under the pier.

Neil was successfully passed out as a D Class helm by Assessor Trainer and Deputy Launch Authority Paul Taylor from Poole Lifeboat and joins Walmer’s eight other D and B Class lifeboat helms.

Following the assessment Neil was praised by the station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Denis Brophy who said: 'Neil is being rewarded for his commitment, drive and hard work in achieving this success. I'd also like to thank Paul and the efforts of his trainers on station'.

Neil now hopes to progress to becoming a helm on the station’s B Class Atlantic 85, and to pass on his knowledge and experience to Walmer’s trainee crew.

Photo 1. Assessor Trainer Paul Taylor (left) congratulates new helm Neil Franks.

Photo 2. Paul Taylor, Neil Franks and Walmer crew Luke Curry and Vicky Ward.

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

To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]
• Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07785 296252, [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

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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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