On Friday evening August 5, seven of our new shore crew attended an extra training session to make sure that they had all received the basic training that allows them to be involved when we are training or get a shout.
After a very successful recruitment drive, RNLI Rye Harbour has secured five new trainees who are all very keen to learn. There are many modules to work through to pass out as fully-qualified shore crew and most of the time the trainees would work at their own pace, but it was felt that a collective training session would be advantageous as they would gel as a team and learn at the same time. It proved to be very successful.
Lucy, one of the newbies, commented after the session: “Our instructor on Friday evening was the formidable and no-nonsense Gary Collard whose aim was to give the newest recruits a thorough understanding of the basics – the importance of PPE, boathouse safety, and the differing roles of shore crew members. Thanks to his patience and expertise what was achieved was a solid foundation of understanding on which we can individually build as our training progresses. As an added bonus we got to know and understand our fellow recruits which is invaluable for the future cohesive team we wish to be at Rye Harbour.”
Mick found it useful too: “For the first time we were all working together on the same tasks. We ran through everything that had to be done on a shout from arrival at the boathouse to putting the boat away at the end and refuelling the launch tractor. It was good to be working as a team because in a shout we all have to rely on each other.”
Emma attended as well and echoed the comments above. She added that it was useful to be able to ask questions throughout the training session and for everyone to learn together. Often during a shout, speed and efficiency are the essence and it is not always the right time to be asking questions. Friday night gave the new recruits the opportunity and the time, too.
It was another very successful training initiative at the Harbour.
Image Credits: Paul Bolton .