Three Southend RNLI volunteers complete Crew Emergency Procedures training

Crew Emergency Procedures (CEP) prepare RNLI crew members for emergencies at sea. The course includes practical learning and scenarios that crew members may encounter, such as capsizing and recovery, using the self-righting system, firefighting, lifeboat abandonment, high water entry, team survival swimming, personal survival techniques, pyrotechnics and coping in darkness in a life raft.

The world-class training pool at the charity’s college simulates storm conditions during day and night with thunder and lightning, rain and waves all of which are realistic weather conditions the crew could encounter at sea.

The Southend RNLI trio performed capsize drills with both B and D class lifeboats during the training. There’s a 5-metre platform jump into the pool, where the crew have to survive simulated elements within a life raft. This training not only enhances their knowledge of RNLI protocols but also provides invaluable experience.

Southend RNLI crew member Matt Chapman said: ‘Having access to high quality training has filled us with confidence that should the worst ever happen, we have the skills to deal with the situation.

‘A big thanks to the staff at the RNLI College for their hospitality and incredible training programmes’.

Congratulations to RNLI volunteers Matt, Graeme and Maria on completing the very demanding CEP course.

Notes to editors

• Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station has been operating since 1879. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://southendlifeboat.org/
• Southend-on-Sea RNLI personnel are all volunteers for the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI media contacts

• For more information please contact: Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea RNLI, 07765875300 or [email protected],
• Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
• Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead - South East, on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online

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.

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 142,700 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.