
Double figure helm count for Walmer RNLI
Walmer lifeboat celebrated its latest progression on Tuesday 16 July when volunteer Max Bowyer successfully passed out as the station’s 10th qualified helm for its D Class lifeboat.
After being placed on a helm plan around 18 months ago, Max was successfully passed out by Divisional Assessor Trainer Dave Needham.
As well as on-going water-based training with crew on station, he also attended an intensive four-day search and rescue command course at the RNLI College in Poole where he undertook a series of classroom based and afloat training to enable him to gain the skills needed when in command of a lifeboat.
Prior to going afloat, Max completed his International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) paper, which involves, among other things, steering and sailing rules, identifying lights, shapes and sounds from vessels and buoys and the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility. He was also asked to plan a navigation exercise. Once on the water he was asked to plan for a missing person search at Kingsdown where the crew were instructed to conduct a shoreline search. This involved a simulation where a crew member would be put ashore. After this was completed, he was quizzed on how he would deal with a man overboard situation, an engine fire and numerous safety questions.
Once ashore, Max said ‘ I’d like to thank my crew this evening, our shore crew for their launch and recovery and everyone here that has helped me achieve this success.’ He was praised by the station’s Operations Manager Denis Brophy for his commitment and hard work towards his achievement.
Notes to editors
Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.
It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.
Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry
To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
- Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]
- Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 [email protected]
- Hatti Mellor, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 [email protected]
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer 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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