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Newhaven RNLI Celebrates Success with Third Helm Pass-out

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteer lifeboat crew member Andy Bull becomes Newhaven’s third D Class helm.

Newhaven RNLI's New ILB Helm Andy Bull

RNLI

Newhaven RNLI's New ILB Helm Andy Bull

On Wednesday 27th June, Andy Bull successfully passed out as an Inshore Lifeboat Helm, becoming Newhaven's third D Class helm.

Andy undertook training on station at Newhaven, at RNLI College in Poole, and with Newquay RNLI, Cornwall. When asked about his favourite part of the training, Andy said: 'Learning about what impact the weather and sea conditions will have on the D Class was fascinating, while at the same time finding out the capabilities of the boat in such varied conditions.’

Since joining the RNLI back in 2018, Andy has been a committed crew member to Newhaven RNLI, launching to over 100 rescue shouts. Alongside being a D Class Helm, he also volunteers on our Severn Class all-weather lifeboat as a Mechanic and Navigator.

Newhaven RNLI is currently preparing for a two-year operational trial of a D class inshore lifeboat for use alongside the Severn class all-weather lifeboat. The D class can be tasked to calls which are more suited to a smaller lifeboat - for example, to an area where the water is shallower, such as responding to casualties who have been cut off by the tide.

Andy Bull, D Class Helm, said: ‘Passing out as a D Class helm with our new ILB crew at Newhaven has been a team effort from everyone at the station. The training provided by the RNLI College in Poole, along with training sessions with our flank station Eastbourne and our friends at Newquay RNLI, has given me valuable knowledge, helping me progress to a D Class Helm.’

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the RNLI. 97% of our frontline lifesavers are volunteers, including 5,000+ volunteer lifeboat crew members at stations around the UK and Ireland. Without our incredible volunteer lifesavers, the RNLI could not provide a 24/7 lifesaving service.

Do you think you could join our lifesaving crew? We are recruiting Volunteer Lifeboat Crew for both All-Weather-Lifeboat and Inshore Lifeboat Crews. Find out more here: www.rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/may/07/volunteer-crew-recruitment-begins-at-newhaven-rnli

Notes to editors

· Newhaven RNLI was established in 1803, and covers from Beachy Head to Brighton. It’s a modern afloat station and operates an all-weather Severn class lifeboat.

· ALB – All-Weather-Lifeboat

· Severn Class – Named after the River Severn, the Severn Class is the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. The Severn can take on tough sea conditions and comes into her own on long offshore search and rescues.

· Inshore Lifeboat - The lifeboat was first introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1963, the design of the inflatable D class lifeboat continues to evolve to meet changes in demand and technology. She is highly manoeuvrable and usually operates closer to shore than our all-weather lifeboats. She comes into her own for searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations - often close to cliffs, among rocks and even inside caves.

· Newquay RNLI - Operated an all-weather lifeboat for nearly 80 years until it closed in 1945. The station re-opened again in 1965. The crews have received several awards for gallantry and now operate two inshore lifeboats.

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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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