John qualifies as lifeboat mechanic
Our congratulations to Oban Lifeboat volunteer crew member John Cameron who has passed his final assessment to qualify as a mechanic.
John, a commercial workboat skipper, has spent over a year working with crew colleagues and members of the Scottish machinery training team to develop the skills to finally undertake his pass out assessment afloat.
“I wanted to train as a mechanic with the RNLI to further support the station and to broaden and develop my skills and knowledge.
“The assessment covered everything from electrical faults to equipment coming loose, finding faults and fixing them. I was asked about system after system, how they work and how to rectify things if something goes wrong.
“While we were out as sea, I had to deal with a series of scenarios: losing an engine, changing a blocked fuel filter, unblocking a sea water strainer, putting out a simulated engine room fire and tackling a simulated flood in the jet space, and losing steering while running on one engine!”
John, who is also a member of Oban Lifeboat’s Water Safety team, is now part of a seven strong mechanics team of two women and four men led by Senior Station Technician, Tom Kennedy.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
John Macgill, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
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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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.