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The RNLI joins forces with Ørsted for a challenging training exercise

Lifeboats News Release

Lifeboat crews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) at New Brighton and Hoylake were recently joined by the charity’s partners Ørsted for a turbine training exercise.

The training saw the lifeboat crews familiarise themselves with stretchers and winchers to be prepared for any potential future medical emergencies they might have to respond to.

Ørsted, who are one of the RNLI’s partners, set up a training day for our crew at New Brighton and Hoylake RNLI on Saturday 18 March. The calm seas and sunny weather allowed for an intensive course over at the Burbo Bank Offshore Windfarm off the Liverpool coastline, and our lifeboat crew were put to the test.

The crews were working together while the wind farm team lowered a stretcher down from a turbine platform for the Hoylake and New Brighton RNLI lifeboats, they were given time to familiarise themselves with the process and then reattach it to be lifted back up. The aim was to re-enact the use of a helicopter when in real-life medical emergencies.

Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Howie Owen said: 'The Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm managed by Ørsted is a major feature in Liverpool Bay, so this exercise was a great opportunity for our volunteer crew to see the features of the impressive turbines up close and to practise casualty transfers with the Ørsted team alongside New Brighton RNLI.'

'Our volunteers often face challenging situations as part of a RNLI lifeboat crew. The exercise with Ørsted has meant our crew can train for a unique scenario, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to evacuate a casualty quickly and safely in an emergency, if needed. We greatly value the RNLI's partnership with Ørsted, both on shore and out at sea.'

The crew all have to undertake essential training in order to deliver their best possible life saving techniques. Weekly RNLI training exercises focus on teamwork, technical competence and safe operating procedures covering everything from boat-handling, search and rescue, radar training to navigation, radio communications and casualty care. Their training is a continuous process where learning is always vital to their progression, the importance of days such like the Ørsted training means that our crew can be fit for their potential future call outs.

Together, the RNLI and Ørsted are working towards a greener world and a safer sea. With RNLI crews launching in all manner of conditions to save lives, it’s crucial that they receive the best possible training so they are prepared for whatever they may face.

With 13 operational offshore wind farms in the UK, Ørsted shares the same strong focus on safety and use training as a catalyst to ensure that staff have the right tools and the knowledge to keep everyone safe whilst working at sea.

Lee Rollason, Head of Site for Burbo Bank at Ørsted, said: “Our partnership with the RNLI is very important and to be able to deliver this training has been another step in a great collaboration. Safety is one of the central pillars of our work, as the offshore environment can be extremely challenging, and that is why it’s paramount we make sure we’re equipped to deal with different scenarios. Thank you so much to the volunteers for being engaged and knowledgeable throughout the training, we really appreciate the time you volunteer to saving lives at sea."

95% of the RNLI’s lifeboat crew are volunteers who have full time jobs elsewhere. Without the grit and determination of those dedicated to their training, the RNLI would not have been able to save as many lives as they have over the years, just showing the importance of these challenging training sessions on their performances.

Click here for more information on our partnership with Ørsted

Click here for more information on our crews training


Notes to editors

The Norwegian energy company first joined forces with the RNLI in late 2015 to support six lifeboat stations – a partnership which has so far helped to fund nearly 600 launches and aid more than 580 people at sea.

- New Brighton

- Barrow

- Clacton-on-Sea

- Skegness

- Ramsgate

- Wells

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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.


RNLI/Ella Bowler

Hoylake and New Brighton RNLI lifeboats take part in a casualty transfer exercise in the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm

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.