
Three RNLI volunteers successfully passed out at Southend-on-Sea Lifeboats
After two years of intensive training and rigorous assessments Southend RNLI volunteers Daryl Sholem and Andrew Satchell passed out as fully competent crew plus David Hopper has passed out as B class lifeboat helm.
Daryl and Andrew passed out as competent crew for both B class and D class inshore lifeboats on Tuesday December 5, 2023. Just the day before, Southend RNLI volunteer David Hopper passed out as an Atlantic 85 helm. These are great achievements and a huge asset to Southend-on-Sea RNLI helping keep the charity’s lifeboats and hovercraft in service 24 hours a day 365 days a year, ready to launch at a moment’s notice.
It takes a lot of training, both physically and mentally demanding, as well as commitment and dedication to become a fully operational competent crew member for the RNLI. After a period as competent crew, the volunteers can train to become helm.
Weekly RNLI training exercises focus on teamwork, technical competence and safe operating procedures covering everything from boat-handling, search and rescue, and navigation, to radar training, radio communications and casualty care.
Crews also practise rescue scenarios involving other emergency services such as the Coastguard, ambulance and fire and rescue services.
Volunteer crew members also follow a crew development plan in which they learn the roles and responsibilities at the lifeboat station, how to use and look after their personal protective equipment, the layout of their station’s lifeboat and how to use the equipment onboard, how to work with ropes safely.
Daryl, Andrew, and David have dedicated countless hours to their training, as well as helping with community events and fundraising for the charity.
Daryl said, ‘From a young age, my desire to join the RNLI was strong. Summers were spent at the water sports centre, immersing myself in the thrilling world of water sports. Teaching abroad and managing water sports centres furthered my passion.
Whilst training as a teacher, I decided to fulfil my dream of joining the RNLI. The journey has been exhilarating. I have met some incredible people who also sacrifice their time to help others. The camaraderie and friendships I have made along the way, I am sure will last a long time.
Challenges emerged: early wake-up calls and urgent rescue missions demanding physically and emotionally. Yet, making a difference in someone's life makes every sacrifice worthwhile. Saving lives brings immeasurable satisfaction.
Being part of the RNLI instilled purpose and pride, combining my love for the sea, teaching skills, and dedication to serving others. Every call-out brings new adventures and the chance to impact lives positively. I'm grateful for this incredible journey and eager to save countless more lives together’.
David said, ‘My inspiration to join the RNLI was there from a young age, I have been on the water since I was seven and always known with the RNLI lifeboats present, I was in good hands should I get into trouble whilst out.
Joining the charity was my opportunity to give back and to give everyone else the same comfort when they go out to enjoy spending time on the water. It was quite handy that I was working for the Southend RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at the time I joined too.
Southend RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Graham Slack said, 'I'm sure all the volunteers at Southend lifeboat station will join me in congratulating Daryl, Andrew and David's achievements and support them in their roles.
It’s the RNLI supporters who make it all possible. We would not be in the position to save lives at sea without the generous donations to the charity from the public'.
Well done, Daryl, Andrew, and David.
Notes to editors.
Southend RNLI Lifeboat Station have been saving lives at sea since 1879.
Southend operate four lifesaving rescue craft from two boathouses, an Atlantic 85, two D class lifeboats and one of only four RNLI hovercraft around our coast.
Everybody at Southend RNLI is a volunteer, currently just over 100 volunteers, 45 of which are lifeboat crew.
The RNLI relies entirely on public donations.
Photo credit Southend RNLI
RNLI Media contacts
· Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea RNLI, 07765875300 or [email protected],
· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
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· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLIThe Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
Learn more about the RNLIFor more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiriesMembers of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.