Seahouses lifesaver learns vital skills with RNLI training

Graeme Trotter recently travelled to the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset, to complete the charity’s crew emergency procedures course.

He was inspired to join up as a volunteer crew member after conversations with his neighbour, Colin Banks, who is a deputy launch authority at Seahouses lifeboat station.

As a qualified mechanic, familiar with Caterpillar engines, he had skills which could be of great benefit to the station.

The course sees volunteer crew being trained in a variety of crucial subjects such as how to abandon ship with a 4m jump into water, team survival swimming, coping in a liferaft in simulated darkness, how to right a capsized inshore lifeboat and the importance of lifejackets.

It also covers emergency fire theory such as how to deal with fires aboard lifeboats, and practical sessions on the correct use of flares, fire extinguishers and throw bags.

Training took place in the Sea Survival Centre at the charity’s college, which includes a 25m wave-generating survival tank.

Graeme said: “I have just spent an entire week, enjoying some fantastic training at the Lifeboat College, with amazing facilities. I met some great people from other stations, and the knowledge I have gained will help me perform my role as a crew member at Seahouses with confidence and professionally.”

The training was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a charitable foundation that helps to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research.

The Foundation is committed to funding the RNLI’s Crew Emergency Procedures course for a second 5-year period until December 2020. This additional funding of £1.06million will bring their total support for RNLI crew training to just over £2.46million.

David Knaggs, Lifesaving Delivery Training Manager at the RNLI said: “We are so grateful to Lloyd’s Register Foundation for choosing to fund this vital part of our volunteer crews’ training.

“Their support is hugely important to us, and it’s fantastic how many of our crew have so far been able to benefit from Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s support of their training. This training is crucial in helping keep our volunteers as safe as possible whilst carrying out rescues. It gives volunteers the confidence to save lives even in the most difficult conditions.’

This donation is the latest in Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s relationship with the RNLI, which was recognised in 2010 when it received the Group Supporter Award from HRH Prince Michael of Kent in recognition of its valuable support of the charity.