Portaferry RNLI introduces their newest lifeboat helm
Portaferry RNLI has passed out a new helm at their inshore lifeboat station.
Scott Blackwood 29, originally from Newtownards, moved to Portaferry in 2020 to be closer to his partner Nicole and joined the lifeboat crew shortly afterwards.
As a RNLI helm, Scott is now a senior member of the volunteer crew and will not only take charge of the inshore lifeboat at sea, but will also be responsible for the safety of the crew onboard, and for decisions made during a rescue.
Scott said: 'I'm very proud to take up this new role. I've spent a lot of time around boats throughout my life and it's something I always wanted to achieve.
'Nicole is also a RNLI volunteer and it was her who sparked my initial interest in joining. I'm really glad I did. We have a great crew at Portaferry lifeboat station and I'm grateful for all their support during my training.
'I'd like to thank Lenny Fourie, a coastal lifeboat trainer for Ireland who travelled up from Kinsale to carry out the assessment and pass out, and James Gillespie, a lifeboat helm from Bangor who kindly came to helm the boat during my pass out.'
Heather Kennedy, Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'Scott has shown great maturity in stepping forward to train as lifeboat helm. He has worked incredibly hard, completed extensive training and passed rigorous assessments to qualify for this role. In stepping up to helm, he will continue to be a great asset to Portaferry lifeboat station.'
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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.
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