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Fleetwood RNLI starts anniversary year with two interrupted exercises

Lifeboats News Release

Fleetwood RNLI's lifeboats were tasked twice last week during training exercises, giving recently qualified volunteer crew their first opportunities to put newly-gained skills to work.

RNLI/Robert Baines

RNLI Fleetwood volunteer Sam Catterall

Both taskings from HM Coastguard occurred while the lifeboat station's boats had been launched to continue the training and currency of essential lifesaving skills, and both were based on reports of people in the water. These ‘shouts’ were the first time recently qualified Crew Members Daniel Smith, Paul Buckley and Sam Catterall put their new skills to use.

Sam said: 'It’s great to be able to put the months of training to good use, and the way the tasking came in mid-exercise just goes to show that the call to help someone can come at any time – especially when you least expect it!'

Dan said: 'Watching the crew go from training to rescue mode was amazing – as was the realisation that I was doing it too. The training we’ve had to perform these roles really has been first class, and the way it all comes together in the moment testifies to that.'

Kate Holmes, Fleetwood RNLI Deputy Launch Authority, who was on duty for the second call said: 'Our volunteers are ready to drop everything when the call comes – even when the thing they’re dropping is a lifeboat exercise. The calm professionalism that our entire crew bring to their roles is something of which the town can be proud, and it makes me really happy to see the new volunteers standing shoulder to shoulder with the old hands - together as one crew.'

Notes to editors

  • Fleetwood RNLI's Shannon class all-weather lifeboat is named Kenneth James Pierpoint.

  • Fleetwood RNLI's D class inshore lifeboat is named Harbet.

  • The RNLI is supported entirely through voluntary donations, and Fleetwood Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1859. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: http://fleetwoodlifeboat.org.uk/

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact David Devereux, Fleetwood RNLI Press Officer, on 07591 675733 / [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07468 353082 / [email protected], or Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead West, on 07786 668829/ [email protected]

A member of rNLI Volunteer lifeboat crew in seagoing gear, against a background of gear hung up ready for use.

RNLI/Robert Baines

RNLI Fleetwood volunteer Paul Buckley
A member of rNLI Volunteer lifeboat crew in seagoing gear, against a background of gear hung up ready for use.

RNLI/Robert Baines

RNLI Fleetwood volunteer Daniel Smith

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.

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