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Two Volunteers pass out as Launch Authorities at Newhaven RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteers Russ Bedford and Fi McColgan have successfully passed out as Launch Authorities at Newhaven RNLI.

Newhaven RNLI Volunteer Launch Authorities Fi McColgan on the left and Russ Bedford on the right

RNLI/Sam Carragher

Newhaven RNLI Volunteer Launch Authorities (Left) Fi McColgan and (Right) Russ Bedford

On the 30 September and 1 October, Russell Bedford and Fi McColgan successfully passed out as volunteer Launch Authorities at Newhaven RNLI. Russell and Fi have been completing training on station at Newhaven, and through the RNLI training team's online workshops.

Launch Authorities are critical as they are responsible for the launch decision, ensuring that the most suitable lifeboat is selected, and the crew is tasked appropriately. No boat can be launched on a shout or exercise without a launch authority’s agreement. They also perform a vital role in the management of the lifeboat station, ensuring boats and equipment are maintained in a constant state of readiness to respond.

Fi McColgan, volunteer Launch Authority, said: ‘Working offshore emphasises the importance for me of keeping seafarers safe, and respecting the water. When I saw this opportunity, I jumped at it. All our training and support was excellent. The crew at Newhaven RNLI have some serious experience with the charity which they are eager to share.’

The pass out involved an hour-long practical exam going through all aspects of risk assessment and the decision making around launching the lifeboats at the request of HM Coastguard. It also included a scenario to demonstrate decision making through a boat tasking and launch.

Russ Bedford, volunteer Launch Authority, said: ‘The training provided by the RNLI at Newhaven and remotely by the RNLI's training team was excellent. The volunteers at Newhaven RNLI have a wealth of valuable knowledge that was passed down during training. The best part of my volunteering so far was when the pager went off at the station, seeing the crew arrive in real time and go on a shout.’

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.

· ‘Shout’ - An RNLI ‘shout’ or service call, is an emergency call to the Coastguard that requires an RNLI lifeboat to be launched.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Sam Carragher, RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager on 01273 818012 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.


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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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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