Penarth RNLI volunteer passes out as lifeboat Helm

Now that James has qualified as a Helm of the Atlantic 85 lifeboat – Penarth RNLI’s Lifeboat Press Officer, Nick White, caught up with James to find out what it takes to qualify as the person in command of the lifeboat during a rescue shout.

What is your background and why did you become a volunteer?

I emailed the station back in 2013, as I was looking for something to volunteer for whilst working in an office and wanted to find out more about the RNLI. I was invited down to see what’s involved, meet the crew and I’m still here!

When and at what level did you join and what were your thoughts and aspirations at the time?

I joined with hardly any boating knowledge or experience and I was keen to get my training signed off, so I could be useful on the team. I had passed my casualty care first-aid training which actually sparked a new career with the Welsh Ambulance Service.

There was something about the course that just clicked for me, and I enjoyed being able to go that bit further and treat people who are unwell. I found out I could volunteer for the Ambulance service as a Community First Responder, and then applied to work for them full-time.

How long does it take to become a Helm, what are the stages?

There are 13 Helm training modules plus the ‘pass out’ assessment. I became a D class Helm in December 2022, and then started working towards the Atlantic 85 Helm. This is in addition to the 41 training modules per lifeboat to be crew – which must be completed prior to Helm training.

What is the most difficult/challenging aspect of the training?

There’s a change in mindset and responsibility from ‘doing’ to ‘managing’ – being able to step back and maintain that situational awareness took some getting used to. There’s also a lot of responsibility for the crew’s safety, and just the commitment it takes to learn and be competent at everything.

What are the best bits about volunteering/being a Helm?

We say that being lifeboat crew is a ‘serious hobby’ – and it is. Everyone who volunteers for the RNLI has a similar mindset, and with such a diverse crew there’s a real passion for it.

Some of our crew have recently received their long service awards, these are awarded to RNLI volunteers who’ve been serving from 20 to 50 years and beyond! It’s incredible and I can see why, I hope I can do it for as long as I am able.

What's next for you in your RNLI volunteering role?

I need to maintain my training and give back by helping our current crew learn and maintain their competencies. Now I just need to choose which boat to take on the next shout…

Notes to editors

· To learn more about Penarth Lifeboat Station please visit: https://www.facebook.com/RNLIPenarth

· Photo Credits: RNLI/James King

· https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer

Media contacts
For more information please contact Penarth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, Nick White on 07818 680 667 or [email protected].

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315, or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

RNLI online

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

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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

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.