Two new Helms for Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI lifeboat station

Their lifeboat journey has consisted of working up the ranks, by putting in many hours of regular structured training and exercises in boat handling towing and casualty care training on shore and off shore.

Both going down for further training to the RNLI college at Poole where their training consisted of courses in Search and Rescue Navigation, consisting of lessons on chart reading, passage planning and setting up and carrying out search patterns.

Whilst both have also been part of the lifeboat crew in real rescues to save lives at sea.

On Tuesday at Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat station to save lives at sea, they were both been put through their final paces by RNLI Regional Trainer Anna Heslop-Latif to become Helms.

Here they have had to demonstrate their knowledge and their responsibilities taking command of launching the lifeboat, being responsible for the crew and everything that happens during a rescue whilst at sea and the recovery of the lifeboat. Also showing their experience and competence in, navigation, standards for International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, communications, casualty care, boat handling, and leadership skills, by completing practical and written assessments, to become Helms of the inshore D class lifeboat the, Glenis Joan Felstead.

Helm Adam Bettison, said: ‘I am pleased that the countless hours of training, practice and revision over the last two and a half years since joining the crew, has got to me where I am today. It is a massive passion of mine and I am proud to be part of the RNLI.

This couldn’t of been achieved of course without the knowledge and the time and effort that has been put into my journey from our brilliant crew past and present. A big thank you to our Helms, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Learning Trainer Coordinator and the rest of the Crew. Also thank you to the Regional Trainer Assessors, and the Trainers down at the RNLI College in Poole. I look forward to strengthening the skills as my journey continues, and passing the skills and knowledge forward.’

Helmsman Ken Surtees, said: ‘Like everyone at the lifeboat station we are of the same mind set, in the satisfaction of volunteering with the RNLI. I thank everyone for helping me get to where I am today, in the hope I can assist others reaching their goals.’

Kevin Knox, Berwick-upon-Tweed Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘This is excellent news for the lifeboat station at Berwick-upon-Tweed, they both have worked extremely hard and their effort has shone through, congratulations I am proud of them both. We also have to thank both their families, because for every RNLI lifeboat volunteer their family serves beside them, whilst their loved ones go out to save lives at sea.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Hazel Bettison, 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]

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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