
Galway RNLI’s New Year, New Crew
Nine new volunteer crew with Galway RNLI recently donned their drysuits for the first time and took part in on the water exercises as part of their training to become fully fledged crew.
The next stage of training for these nine new crew members will be to complete the necessary training modules and be assessed as ‘safe to go on service’. This stage of training includes ensuring the trainees are safe on the boat, competent to deal with emergencies and their own survival and can participate in launch and recovery.
Lifeboat training covers a wide range of skill sets such as seamanship and boat handling, navigation as well as search and rescue and includes self directed training, online training, one to one or group instruction at the lifeboat station, shadowing and observation. In addition the crew will complete a number of residential courses at the RNLI College in Poole in the UK, including crew emergency procedure training which includes capsize and sea survival skills.
Frankie Leonard, Lifeboat Training Coordinator with Galway RNLI said: ‘RNLI lifeboat training is a continual process of learning and assessment to ensure that crew maintain the necessary skills and experience at a high level. The training is structured in such a way that it is achievable in a reasonable time for a new joiner from a non maritime background, while also taking account of individual skill and experience.
‘The trainees have a clearly laid out training pathway and knowledge, skills and experience are gained in a logical order through a number of stages. This group of trainee crew are extremely motivated and rarely miss any of the training sessions which is a large time commitment for a volunteer role, when all of them have busy lives outside of the RNLI.
‘In addition to training new crew, we plan training and exercises for fully trained crew to build and maintain their knowledge and skills and ensure they regularly practise the tasks they are required to perform on service, in a team environment. The training plans also enable crew to broaden their skills and progress into additional roles with greater responsibility. Crew training is a continuous process and the learning never stops.’
Mike Swan, Galway RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Joining the RNLI and undertaking the training is a significant step for volunteers who commit to give their time to complete all the necessary training, complete and pass assessments and then also maintain a high level of competency all year around, every year. In addition, the training standards are continually evolving to make the RNLI one of the world’s most effective search and rescue organisations. It is hard work but very rewarding to be able to give back to our community. Our lifeboat crew training turns our volunteers into lifesavers.’
Ends
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.