Ramsgate RNLI share their life saving skills with Yacht Master students.

The water safety talk was part of the Royal Yachting Association Yacht Masters navigation course that is taught through the winter months at the yacht club. As well as being taught how to fight fire onboard a boat, how to use the safety equipment, and about cold water shock, they were given the best advise on how to prepare when abandoning ship. They were also given a talk on life jackets, how to wear and maintain them. This was of particular importance as three of the students had brought their own life jackets with them and all three failed upon inspection.

This initiative came about last year when members of the yacht club collaborated with the volunteer Ramsgate RNLI Water Safety Team to introduce new sailors to the RNLI and to get advice from the specialists in water safety.

There were twelve students accompanied by their trainers and some of the Club boat owners accompanied them also as it’s always useful to have a refresher course on water safety. They were split into four small rotating groups and also were escorted onto the all-weather lifeboat, which was a highlight for many of them.

This was followed by time to visit the pop up stall to buy Christmas cards and presents, which was manned by volunteer staff from the Ramsgate RNLI Shop, where the students were very generous buying their Christmas cards and RNLI 200 Anniversary souvenirs.

To round the evening off there was a competition where one member from each group competed against each other to be the first to dress up in full RNLI kit much to the amusement of the observers.

RNLI Community Water Safety Officer Neil Morgan said, ‘ It was a pleasure to welcome members of the Royal Temple Yacht Club to Ramsgate RNLI station. I would like to thank all the volunteers who give up their valuable time to promote water safety practices.’

Karen Cox Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Ramsgate Tel. 07779848431 Email [email protected].

Paul Dunt RNLI Regional Media Officer London and South East Tel. 07785296252 Email [email protected]

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 142,700 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.