Wick lifeboat recruits complete training
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THREE of Wick lifeboat station's latest recruits have been making a splash while being put through their paces during training at the RNLI College at Poole in Dorset.
Martin Gibson, Zoë Rothera and Elliot Geddes have now completed their Crew Emergency Procedures training – funded by Lloyd's Register Foundation – at the college's Sea Survival Centre.
The course instructs volunteer crew in a wide range of crucial subjects including how to abandon ship in the event of an emergency, dealing with fire aboard lifeboats, team survival swimming and coping in a life-raft in simulated darkness.
They also had to right a capsized inshore lifeboat and learn about the importance of life jackets as well as the correct use of flares, fire extinguishers and throw bags.
The three local trainees travelled to Poole at the end of July for their introduction to the course.
Zoë (23), a trainee care practitioner at Seaview House care home, has been with the RNLI for three years and was previously in the Sea Cadets for 13 years where she met Mark Cormack, the current coxswain, who encouraged her to join the RNLI.
Although initially a little apprehensive, Zoë said she really enjoyed the course and would definitely encourage other females to join the crew and sign up to the training.
"It was really good," she said. "The college itself is absolutely amazing and the people who coach you are so patient."
At 5ft 3in, Zoë said it took her a while to summon up the courage when she had to jump in the water from a four-metre platform.
"They just hold your hand through it," she said.
"I think, obviously, it is more a man's environment. I was a bit sceptical myself when I first joined. It is all about working as a team.
"The coxswain and the mechanics have just been so helpful – it is such an amazing team to be part of."
Thankful for the help she received from the rest of the local crew, she added: "To anyone thinking of joining, I highly recommend it."
Newest member Martin (24), who works in the local building trade, was inspired to join the crew as his family have been involved in the fishing industry for many years.
Elliot (19), a heavy goods mechanic, was encouraged to join the lifeboat crew as his parents have a background in the emergency services – his mum is a staff nurse in Caithness General Hospital and his dad is a volunteer with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Wick.
Prior to this course Elliot was lucky enough to go on a long trip taking the Wick lifeboat to Poole for refit in June.
They were joined at the Sea Survival Centre at the RNLI College by other RNLI volunteer crew members from around the UK and Ireland.
James Kilburn, lifesaving delivery training manager at the RNLI, said: "We are so grateful to Lloyd’s Register Foundation for funding this vital part of our volunteer crews’ training.
"Their support is very important to us and it’s fantastic how, so far, over 3000 of our crew members have benefited from Lloyd’s Register Foundation funding this part of their training.
"As only one in 10 of our volunteer crew members comes from a professional maritime background, the Crew Emergency Procedures course is crucial in giving our volunteers the training they need and helping keep them as safe as possible while carrying out rescues.
"It gives volunteers the confidence to save lives even in the most challenging conditions."
Lloyd's Register Foundation is a charitable foundation that helps to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research.
It has committed to funding the RNLI’s Crew Emergency Procedures course for a second five-year period until December 2020. This additional funding of £1.06m brings its total support for RNLI crew training to just over £2.2m since 2008.
