Training ramps up for Oban RNLI
Four senior members of the Oban lifeboat crew have this week completed their jet handling course at the RNLI's training centre in Dorset, in preparation for the arrival on station of a new Shannon class vessel.
Coxswain Ally Cerexhe and deputy coxswains Andy Lockwood, David Isaac and James Hardie were learning how to get the best out of the Shannon's water jet propulsion system having up until now operated a propeller-driven Trent class lifeboat.
In the coming weeks training will step up a gear for the whole crew as Oban's lifeboat, the Mora Edith MacDonald is joined by a training Shannon ahead of the arrival of the new vessel, The Campbell-Watson, in December.
Meanwhile, routine exercises have been continuing, including a recent refresher on using the lifeboat’s winch equipment to safely lift casualties from the water.
Oban is a busy station serving the maritime, island and coastal communities along one of the largest stretches of coastline in the UK, flanked by RNLI colleagues based at Tobermory, Islay and Campbeltown.
The Oban volunteer crew operate the Trent Class All Weather lifeboat Mora Edith MacDonald from our base at the South Pier on Gallanach Road, close to the CalMac ferry terminal.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
John Macgill, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Oban RNLI on 07711 548672 or email [email protected]
Stephen Lawson, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Oban RNLI on 07776 340629 or email [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, Regional Media Officer (Scotland), on 07826 900639 or [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, Regional Media Manager (Scotland), on 07920 365929 or [email protected]
RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or [email protected]
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
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