
Three volunteers at Teignmouth RNLI pass their training assessments
Last week three volunteers at Teignmouth Lifeboat Station undertook various training assessments to enable them to progress in their roles.
James Stoyle volunteer Helm for the Atlantic 85 Teignmouth Lifeboat has passed his revalidation, SAR Unit Commander Assessment. James has been a volunteer at Teignmouth RNLI for the past 17 years and became Helm five years ago. Last week an RNLI assessor visited Teignmouth Lifeboat Station where James led a volunteer crew to plan and execute a search pattern on the water, demonstrating his knowledge of emergency procedures needed to keep the crew safe, and to save lives at sea.
The assessment also included a written theory paper on IRPCS (International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea) focusing on RNLI guidelines for search and rescue operations, including the coordination of the volunteer crew and navigational safety aspects when saving lives at sea.
On finding out he had successfully passed James extended his ‘thanks to those at the station who have been involved in the continual training, giving up their time for additional training exercises and for the support of fellow volunteers at the station’.
During the same evening two more volunteers were also being assessed to enable them to take the next steps in their roles. James Thomas successfully passed both his tractor driving and head launcher assessment. After joining as volunteer Shore Crew in 2022 James has spent the past 12 months training in launch and recovery to become a Head Launcher and Tractor Driver. James was ‘keen to join the RNLI to learn new skills’ and is pleased to be able to ‘make a difference to the local community, and to work alongside the brilliant crew at Teignmouth RNLI’.
After joining as a volunteer just five months ago Lee Smith has also passed out and is now a fully qualified member of the volunteer Shore Crew. Lee has been working towards his assessment, focusing on the safe launch and recovery of the Teignmouth Lifeboat Claude and Kath after joining Teignmouth RNLI to 'give something back to the local community and to help save lives at sea'.
Training is a vital part of ensuring the volunteer crew remain ready and able to save lives at sea. Assessment days recognise the hard work of all the volunteers, who come together working well as a team and reaching the high standards the RNLI sets. Lifeboat Operations Manager, Andy Lilburn said ‘our volunteers train hard all year round, it’s great to see them get the recognition they deserve and to see newly qualified crew develop the skills needed to save lives at sea’.
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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