Port Talbot RNLI volunteer reaches training milestone
Port Talbot RNLI volunteer Chris Lock has reached an important training milestone in his lifeboat crew journey, as he successfully completed his Tier 1 pass-out with support from fellow volunteers.
On a cold and windy Monday (2 February) afternoon, Chris Lock was put to the test by the station’s Lifeboat Training Coordinator Paul Skinner. The assessment tested Chris’s practical seamanship skills, including launching and recovery procedures and anchoring and veering.
After more than an hour of being assessed, Chris returned to the station where he was informed that he’d passed his assessment with flying colours. Chris will now progress to his next level of lifeboat crew training and move onto his Tier 2 training plan, which will require more learning and progressing in the coming months.
Speaking after he’d passed his assessment, Chris said:
‘It is not easy to become a lifeboat crew member, and I am extremely pleased to have passed my Tier 1 assessment. I am really looking forward to continuing my training progression and want to thank all of my fellow crew at Port Talbot Lifeboat Station for helping me reach this milestone.’
Lifeboat Training Coordinator, Paul Skinner, said:
‘Chris remained calm throughout his assessment and was tested to the highest level. He has put many hours into his training and has worked hard for this achievement. I was honoured to pass him and wish him continued success with the rest of his training.’
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Clive Morris, said:
‘Passing this assessment is a significant milestone in Chris’s lifeboat journey, all the hours of training and dedication of showing up in all weather conditions has paid off.
‘Chris will now commence his next phase of training over the coming months. The commitment to rigorous training undertaken by all our crew ensures they are fully prepared for every eventuality when called upon to save lives at sea.’
RNLI lifeboat volunteers commit to continuous training and lifeboat exercises, in order to be ready to respond when the call for help comes in. Training and equipping our volunteer crews is only possible due to the generosity of our supporters. For more information about what we do, visit www.rnli.org.
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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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