Four crew from RNLI Rye Harbour attended the RNLI college in Poole recently for a two-day Crew Emergency Procedures (CEP) extensive training course including ‘D’ class and ‘Atlantic’ class capsize and sea survival drills. All four crew passed out with flying colours and Paul Bolton(Lom) Lifeboat Operations Manager at RNLI Rye Harbour said that he was so proud of his crew who always go the extra mile in training.
During their practical learning the trainee crews covered pyrotechnics (flares), firefighting, personal survival techniques and capsize and recovery. This training allows the volunteers to experience first-hand some of the scenarios they may encounter at sea should they ever need to ‘abandon’ their lifeboat.
Emma Stonham, volunteer crew member said: “It was a great experience. I attended the course with Lucy Hill and it definitely boosted my confidence whilst out at sea. Looking back, I can say it was fun and exhausting in equal measure. Lucy and I found that doing the course together was beneficial as, if it was tough-going, we supported each other. We met people from other stations based all around the country, pulling together to work as a team to complete a very challenging but thoroughly enjoyable course.”
The trainee crew learnt techniques on how to ‘abandon’ their lifeboat with a four metre jump into the water, coping in simulated darkness on a life raft and also team survival swimming.
Neil Jolly and Charlie Stout undertook the course a few days later. It was their first visit to the support centre at Poole and they were very impressed with the set up and the world-class quality of training on offer.
The four volunteer crew members have now completed a crucial part of their training, enabling them to continue their journey as volunteer crewmen for RNLI Rye Harbour with renewed confidence.
Image Credits: RNLI , RNLI Emergency Procedures Training course , RNLI .