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Gravesend RNLI take part in multi-agency exercise with GPS Marine

Lifeboats News Release

Gravesend RNLI lifeboat crew worked alongside GPS Marine and the crew of the tugboat 'GPS India', as well as HM Coastguard and London VTS, in a training exercise.

The training exercise took part at 10am on Thursday 14 December, on the River Thames near Woolwich. Liam Sidders, Gravesend RNLI Thames Commander, said, ‘The scenario was that a crew member of the tug GPS India had fractured their leg, and they were suffering from a life-threatening bleed as a result.’

Gravesend RNLI volunteers often train with other agencies, to help the crew prepare for the different scenarios they may face when they are tasked to a rescue. Liam said, ‘When that call comes in on the red phone from HM Coastguard, no matter what time of day or what day of the year, we will answer the call and launch to whoever needs our help. Training exercises like this help us to prepare to do that.’

Tom, who has been a volunteer crew member at Gravesend lifeboat station for eight years, led the casualty-care response in the scenario. He said, ‘Taking part in this kind of multi-agency exercise is great training for everyone involved and helps to make the River Thames safer.

Notes to Editor

Gravesend is one of the RNLI’s newest lifeboat stations and one of four lifeboat stations operating on the River Thames – the first stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea.

Our lifeboat is Olive Laura Deare II, an Atlantic 85 B class inshore lifeboat, which is one of the fastest types in the fleet.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Helena Lane, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Gravesend RNLI on 01474 328 465 or email [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (London and South East), on 02076 207 425 or 07785 296 252, or email [email protected]

Julie Rainey, Regional Media Manager (South East), on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 or email [email protected]

Stock photo of the Gravesend Atlantic 85 lifeboat 'Olive Laura Deare II' under speed on the water.

Martin Fish

Stock photo of the Gravesend Atlantic 85 lifeboat 'Olive Laura Deare II'.

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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