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Training turns real for Minehead Lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

On Thursday 30th January at 1830hrs the volunteer crew’s training and assessment session took an unexpected twist.

RNLI/Sam Donati

Within minutes of launch, both lifeboats were tasked by HM Coastguard to a real emergency, attending St. Audries’ Bay after a report of two persons cut off by the tide with their 2 dogs, close to its iconic waterfall.

Arriving on scene to a rolling surf, a rescue swimmer went to reassure the casualties, whilst the lifeboats stood off in order to wait for tidal conditions to change. Within an hour, and with improving sea conditions, both casualties and their dogs were safely extracted from the beach by our nimble D-Class lifeboat after a skilful landing, and then transferred to our larger Atlantic 85 for transfer to Watchet Harbour, where HM Coastguard teams were waiting to assist them.

This marks our newest D-Class helm’s first shout…Rajinder Webber was in the process of being put through her paces by a lifeboat assessor from Poole when her abilities were further tested in this real scenario.

Her assessor commented “Raji did admirably in a very stressful situation, commanding the boat whilst under assessment, and managing a tricky casualty transfer with six people and two dogs aboard”.

Launch Authority David Smith explained “flexibility, and adapting to changing conditions in the blink of an eye is a key part of our role. These are the times when regular training and assessment really pay off”.

2025 is shaping up to be a busy year for Minehead’s volunteer crew, with three callouts so far in January.

Pictured: Helm Rajinder Webber, Coastal Lifeboat Trainer Lyle Stantiford

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.

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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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