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Volunteers pass final Helm assessments at Skegness RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Skegness RNLI Lifeboat Station proudly announces that Martin Stokes and Lewis Knight have passed their final Helm assessments for the D class inshore lifeboat.

Lewis Knight

Lewis Knight and Martin Stokes

Martin and Lewis have been on the crew since 2019 and 2017, respectively, and have progressed from Shore Crew to the positions of crew members for the Shannon class lifeboat and now Helm on the D class inshore lifeboat.*

The role of the helm is to take command of the boat and the crew aboard it.

Martin and Lewis are Skegness locals and volunteer for Skegness RNLI Lifeboat Station alongside their busy family and work lives.

Commenting on the pass out assessments, Martin said: ‘I am delighted to pass out as a Helm at Skegness Lifeboat Station. The whole day was so well organised that it lifted much of the initial pressure. I cannot wait to continue volunteering for my community in my new role on the station, something I enjoy so much.’

Commenting on the Pass Out assessments, Lewis said: ‘I am grateful for the support and help given throughout the process to get to this stage by my friends and colleagues on station. I feel fortunate for the opportunity to apply myself in this leadership role.

‘Thanks must also go to the great Assessor Trainers that the RNLI provides to help with the process.’

Becoming a helm of an inshore lifeboat requires additional training with specific exercises and a final assessment by an external RNLI Assessor, which usually takes around two years.

Martin and Lewis have completed their training, achieving their goal of becoming helms of the D class inshore lifeboat at Skegness RNLI Lifeboat Station. They will be operationally ready in time for the busy summer season on the East Coast.

Commenting on the pass out achievements, Senior Helm at Skegness RNLI Lifeboat Station, Lee St Quinton, said: ‘Achieving helm status and commanding one of our lifeboats is no easy task. A successful pass out is a testament to the many months of hard work and determination that has taken place.’

Besides their RNLI volunteering, Martin and Lewis have family lives and careers. Lewis spends time with his young family, is an international professional touring musician in various theatre production shows, and volunteers at Humber Lifeboat Station.

Meanwhile, Martin owns Stokes Electrical and S2 Appliance Repair and spends time with his family and Labrador and can regularly be found enjoying free time on his motorbike on the local country roads.

Skegness RNLI offers congratulations to Martin and Lewis on their accomplishment and thanks them for their dedication to providing lifesaving services in and around Skegness.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact RNLI Deputy Launch Authority Brad Johnson on 07799045121 or at [email protected]

Notes to editors

*The D class inshore lifeboat is highly manoeuvrable and operates closer to shore than the all-weather lifeboats. It is an inflatable boat that comes into its own for rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations.

Skegness has had an inshore lifeboat since 1964, after they were introduced to the RNLI.

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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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.

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