Three Looe RNLI volunteers qualify as lifeboat crew

Following several months of detailed training, RNLI Assessor Trainer, Carl Beardmore, visited Looe lifeboat station, yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 20 December 2023, to formally assess volunteer crew members, Amber Palfrey, Will Jaycock and Jonty Wearing.

After quizzing Amber, Will and Jonty on the layout of both the Atlantic 85 and D Class inshore lifeboats, both boats were launched with Tom Peat at the helm of the Atlantic 85, and Jack Spree helming the D Class. Both crews headed out into Looe bay for Carl to assess their boat handling skills along with anchoring, search patterns, towing and a host of other topics.

Returning to station a couple of hours later, the lifeboats were recovered and made ready for service by shore crew Dave Mitchell, John Goodsman, Carol Foster and Ian Foster.

There were beaming smiles in the crew room after the debrief as Carl confirmed Amber, Will and Jonty had all passed out as substantive crew, wishing them a Happy Christmas, Carl congratulated the trio on their hard work and dedication.

Amber and Will volunteered in 2022 and were joined by Jonty who volunteered later in the same year on his 17^th birthday. They thanked Looe RNLI volunteer helms Tom and Jack, who took them out to sea for their assessment and lifeboat station trainers Clive Palfrey and Matt Jaycock who, along with the rest of the Looe crew, have helped them through the training. Amber, Will and Jonty all mentioned it has taken a huge amount of work but they are proud to be part of such a fantastic crew. They all said volunteering with the RNLI is an opportunity to give something back to the local community.

Looe Lifeboat Station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Dave Haines was delighted that these crew pass outs highlight the next generation of crew at Looe. Both Amber and Will have relatives in the crew, Amber’s father, Clive, and Will’s uncle, Matt, are both senior helms at the station and Amber’s uncle, Del is a volunteer tractor driver. Even though all three had already been out on several shouts, they now join their family members on call over the Christmas and New Year period, ready to save lives at sea.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI newly qualified crew members with RNLI trainer assessor Carl
Left to right Amber Palfrey, Will Jaycock, Carl Beardmore and Jonty Wearing
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith II

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07866 668847 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.