Queensferry RNLI volunteer takes part in international crew exchange programme

Saturday 7 October 2023

An RNLI volunteer from Queensferry Lifeboat Station took part in a lifeboat crew exchange programme organised by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF).

Exchange colleagues grouped together before heading out on a training exercise — Exchange colleagues together before heading out on a training exercise

Julie Dominguez, a volunteer helm at Queensferry RNLI travelled to Norway, 23 to 30 September, to join with other search and rescue (SAR) volunteers from France, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Julie’s visit was hosted by the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue, or Redningsselskapet in Norwegian, commonly shortened to “RS”.

The programme, funded by the IMRF, has been running since 2012. The many activities included visits to RS rescue stations with familiarisation of their rescue vessels, helicopter (HUET) and sea survival training in their newly opened academy pool, simulator training followed by afloat training exercises with flank stations.

Julie said: ‘I was delighted when my application to take part in the exchange was accepted. It was an honour to represent our charity, the RNLI, abroad.

‘Our group gelled together instantly, ideas and working practises shared, with every one of us being rescue volunteers it felt extremely special and a time I will never forget.’

'The goal of the exchange was to provide us volunteers with experiences and skills for us to share back home, to improve maritime search and rescue (SAR) capacity around the world. Our Norwegian hosts excelled in this goal, they are a credit to the IMRF.'

Notes to editors

Queensferry lifeboat station has been operating since 1967. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/queensferry-lifeboat-station
The European Lifeboat Crew Exchange Programme enables participants to share ideas and experiences amongst their fellow maritime SAR organisations to improve capabilities and operational best practices cohesively and cost-effectively. Crew members can then bring back their gained professional knowledge and experience to their own SAR organisation.
This IMRF member-only programme launched in 2012 and takes place every year. More than 519 crew members from IMRF's member organisations have taken part since its launch. During COVID-19, the IMRF ran a series of online webinars to ensure the programme remained an important part of the maritime SAR calendar.
The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) is the international non-governmental organisation (NGO) working to develop and improve maritime search and rescue (SAR) capacity around the world and is the only maritime SAR NGO with consultative status at the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO). International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) (international-maritime-rescue.org)
The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue, or Redningsselskapet in Norwegian, commonly shortened to “RS”, is a charity that saves lives at sea in the waters of Norway.

RNLI media contacts

Julie Dominguez, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Adele Allan, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Jaye Mackay, RNLI Media Engagement Placement for Scotland, 07929 673286, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

HUET (Helicopter) training in the newly opened pool at the RS training academy — HUET training in the newly opened pool at the RS training academy

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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

Queensferry RNLI volunteer takes part in international crew exchange programme

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