RNLI Clacton’s “magnificent 7” crew hit new heights with epic training results

Since ‘RNLB Chris & Jo West’ our Shannon class lifeboat arrived in November 2024, our crews have been tirelessly training to master this state-of-the-art vessel, and last week Jonathan Strutt became the first ALB (All Weather Lifeboat) volunteer crew member to successfully pass out as coxswain.

The last time that RNLI Clacton had such a coxswain was over 40 years ago, and shows the skill, energy, determination, and hard work that Jonathan has put in.

Jonathan Struff said, ‘Last week I was able to go out on assessment and successfully completed and achieved an ambition of becoming an ALB coxswain. It’s something that I wanted to achieve since I joined the RNLI in 2009 and to finally get to do it was an emotional moment. It’s a role I will take extreme pride in and I can’t wait to carry on working with all our volunteer crew as they progress and pass their training plans too.’.

That is not all, six (6) additional crew members embarked on their own assessments, each and everyone meeting the exacting standards expected of our volunteer crews.

Crew members Chris, Dean and Chris R all passed their ToolTrack assessments strengthening the number of crew that can launch and recover our D-Class ILB (Inshore Lifeboat) at a moment’s notice using our specialised launch vehicle.

Chris R said, ‘Passing out as a ToolTrack driver has made me feel a valuable member of the team, and I look forward to helping the station build upon it’s long tradition of saving lives at sea.’

We also saw two of our ILB crew members Nia and Joe pass their ILB Navigator and T2 ILB crew assessments respectively with flying colours. Finally, Gavin passed his shore crew assessment, a vital role on station that prepares our lifeboats for launch, helps the safely see them transfer to the water and recover the boats back to our station.

Mark Walsham, Lifeboat Chair of RNLI Clacton said, ‘I would like to thank every one of our volunteer crew members who have been successful in completing their training plans and passing out with ease and confidence. To have a volunteer coxswain on station for the first time in over 4 decades is an epic achievement and testament to Jonathan’s hard work and dedication. To Dean, Chris, Chris R, Gavin, Nia and Joe – your achievements are just as epic, as you are strengthening RNLI Clacton’s depth of skills so that whatever is thrown our way, everyone works together confidently and with trust to keep each other safe’

‘Finally, I would like to thank all our other crew members that have supported our crews, be it with knowledge transfer, cleaning the boats ready for the next training session, or supporting the launch and recovery of our lifeboats. Individual achievements should and rightly be recognised, but it is the power of our “One Crew” family, including the families at home that support out crews, that really shines bright, like the future of RNLI Clacton.’

Notes to the Editor

• RNLI Clacton is powered by the dedication of our volunteers.
• Jonathan Strutt is RNLI’s Clacton’s first ALB coxswain for over 4 decades
• The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.
• The charity relies on donations.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Mark Walsham, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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