
Invergordon RNLI’s trio of new recruits on call this Christmas
With 2024 drawing to a close after a monumental year for the charity and the station who celebrated their 200th anniversary and 50th anniversary respectively, our first lady that launches, now our three newest recruits pass out for their first Christmas on call.
The Tier 1 assessment is a crucial milestone in a crew member’s training. It involves a comprehensive assessment, covering everything they’ve learned up to this point, which are the culmination of months of hard work in preparation and training from a crew member who first joined the crew to become competent in the essential functions of Lifeboating skills.
The four-hour exercise involved all aspects of lifeboat crew operations, such as launch and recovery, anchoring, towing, locating and assisting casualties, and demonstrating an understanding of some of the RNLI's policies and procedures. The volunteers must demonstrate a high level of competence and confidence throughout; while acting independently at times as well as be part of the close-knit team we are during certain evolutions. While completing the pass out, the crew must show that they operate safely and remain focused.
This pass out ensures that Danny, Andy and Lee showed the required competencies to have their first Christmas on call should the pagers sound over the festive period to help crew the station's Shannon Class Lifeboat 'RNLB Agnes AP Barr'
When being asked each volunteer what this milestone and the RNLI meant to them;
Danny Simpson said “It has been a fantastic honour to be part of the RNLI since joining the crew in Invergordon 9 months ago. Being part of the crew has been so rewarding, given me a stretch and at times taking me out my comfort zone in learning something completely new but It's been a great experience and seeing how everyone who is connected with the RNLI comes together, supports each other as one team in an effort to save lives at sea makes me proud to be part the team.
Andy Haines said “Being on call for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) during the festive period is both a sense of responsibility and a privilege that means a great deal to me. While Christmas is traditionally a time for family gatherings, festive meals, and celebration. However, for those of us involved with the RNLI, it also means being prepared to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice and knowing that my role may help save lives during this time of year adds a sense of purpose to the holiday season. Since starting my role as a volunteer with the RNLI in March 24, the Coxswains and crew have been working hard to prepare me for my tier 1 pass out. From training me to master essential lifesaving techniques to providing an understanding of the intricacies of maritime safety, each exercise has been a building block in helping to develop my skills and confidence whilst at sea. The hands-on experience in various scenarios, from navigation to rescue operations, has not only honed my practical abilities but also reinforced the importance of teamwork and communication among crew members and this is one thing that truly stands out at RNLI Invergordon.”
Lee Falkiner said “I joined the RNLI earlier this year after moving to Invergordon. I have felt honoured to have been involved with the RNLI at such a pivotal point in their history. The 200-year anniversary and Invergordon Stations own 50 year anniversary celebrations, have highlighted the amazing work that all the RNLI teams across the country do. Having now completed tier 1 training, I am proud to join the team on call this Christmas.”
Bruce Rae, a Coxswain and LTA for Invergordon said “Andy, Danny and Lee have integrated very quickly with the station progressing through their Shore crew and Tier 1 ALB crew plans in less than 9 months. This is testament to their hard work and extra training sessions they have pushed for. We look forward to their Tier 2 pass outs in the New Year and on to future training plans through the summer. Thank you from the LTA team for your interest and attention over the year.”
Notes to editors
· Invergordon lifeboat station has been operating since 1974 and operates a Shannon Class Lifeboat – RNLB Agnes AP Barr (RNLI 13-37).
· Invergordon Lifeboat is the RNLI’s first Launch a Memory Lifeboat which carries 9500 names on her Port and Starboard decals.
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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 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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