Silloth RNLI congratulate new volunteer Tractor Driver

RNLI volunteer Steven Mattinson has attended regular training exercises to complete relevant assessments to enable him to pass the course of tractor driver. Elaine and Don Wilkinson Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched at 7.45pm with the help of the volunteer crew so that Trainer Assessor Mike Almond could oversee the whole process, watching Steven closely.

Steven was able to launch the lifeboat safely into the water using the Country tractor on station. He drove the lifeboat and crew down the slipway outside the station. Once the lifeboat was in the water, Steven then completed various manoeuvres to show the assessor that he is competent within his role at the station.

Chris Clark, Helmsman at Silloth RNLI took the lifeboat out and completed a towing exercise for the lifeboat crew onboard.

Once the lifeboat crew had completed the exercise, they used their radio onboard to make communication with the volunteers on shore to let them know that their intention was to recover the lifeboat from the water. Steven was able to safely and efficiently recover the lifeboat from the water at 8.15pm with the help of the volunteer shore crew.

The shore crew and lifeboat crew then washed the lifeboat, trailer and tractor ready for service.

After a debrief, Steven was delighted to give the good news to his fellow crew members that he had passed the assessment.

Chris Clark, Helmsman for Silloth lifeboat said: ‘We are all pleased to hear that Steven passed, he is a valuable member of our team as are all our volunteer crew members. We all work together to ensure the lifeboat is launched when needed to save lives.’

If you require assistance or see anyone in trouble on the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. RNLI lifeboats and crew are available 24 hours a day to assist those in need.

Notes to editors

• Photo credit Rebecca Clarke
• Silloth Lifeboat Station operates from a newly built boathouse on the site of the original Victorian lifeboat station. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/silloth-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For more information please Rebecca Clarke, Silloth RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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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