Falmouth RNLI congratulates newly qualified all-weather lifeboat mechanic
Volunteer crew member Joe Sibley recently passed his final assessment to become the station’s newest qualified mechanic on the Severn class all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox Scott.
Joe qualified as an inshore lifeboat helm at Plymouth in 2016 and also as an all-weather lifeboat navigator before moving to Falmouth in 2022. He also started training as a mechanic while at Plymouth but the Covid pandemic delayed this.
On moving to Falmouth, Joe quickly established himself as a valuable member of the crew which was helped by the fact that Plymouth and Falmouth have the same class of lifeboats, an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and a Severn class all-weather lifeboat. This also helped when he restarted his mechanic training at Falmouth.
Falmouth RNLI Coxswain Jonathon Blakeston said: ‘Joe has qualified as one of the RNLI’s first afloat mechanics, a new role which ensures operational readiness and safety of the lifeboat while at sea. The role supports the station mechanic.
‘Joe has done well; he has natural ability and he passed his final assessment with flying colours.’
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For more information please contact Simon Culliford, RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971 986978 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or alternatively contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
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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 146,000 lives.
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