RNLI Skegness volunteer crew member completes four lifeboat plans
Lewis Knight, a volunteer crew member at Skegness lifeboat station and Humber lifeboat station, has completed four RNLI training plans, the most recent being all-weather lifeboat (ALB) Navigator Plans across two classes of lifeboats in May 2023.
Since joining the crew at Skegness in 2017, Lewis has progressed from Shore Crew to the position of the navigator of the Shannon class lifeboat and helm of the D class inshore lifeboat at Skegness.
However, in early 2022, Lewis also started volunteering with Humber RNLI lifeboat station alongside his role at Skegness, which has enabled Lewis to enhance his learning on more vessels in the RNLI fleet and develop experience in different search and rescue scenarios.
Recently at Skegness, Lewis has successfully passed out as an RNLI inshore D class lifeboat (ILB) helm, following a full assessment by an RNLI Assessor. The Operations Team at RNLI Skegness recently conferred that Lewis has met the ability and competence to complete his Shannon class all-weather lifeboat navigator’s plan.
Becoming a helm of an inshore lifeboat requires additional training with specific exercises and a final assessment by an external RNLI Assessor, which usually takes around two years. The navigator’s plan is slightly different but still carries additional modules in RADAR usage, passage planning and advanced navigation modules.
Alongside this success, Lewis has simultaneously worked towards his development plans at Humber RNLI lifeboat station. He has now completed an all-weather Severn class lifeboat crew plan with some additional local modules that have met the ability and competence to complete his Severn class all-weather lifeboat navigator’s plan.
Lewis commented on the achievement: ‘I never believed I would make so much progress during 2022 and 2023 in my volunteering roles at the RNLI. However, it wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support of the volunteer crews and management at both Skegness and Humber Lifeboat.’
This is an excellent achievement for Lewis and means that he is now an ILB Helm and ALB navigator at Skegness and an ALB navigator at Humber Lifeboat Station. Skegness RNLI congratulates Lewis on this fantastic accomplishment and thanks him for his dedication to providing lifesaving services in and around Skegness and the Humber Estuary.
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