Lymington RNLI training session with HM Coastguard helicopter
All of our crew members are volunteers, so they have been taking the opportunity to get some “on the water”training over the festive period.
Whilst out on the 30th Dec training in the Solent, the lifeboat crew were contacted by the Coastguard helicopter 175 and were asked to help with their training.
The helm James said 'It’s always a pleasure training with other Search and Rescue agencies.
In a rescue, our interaction with winching from a helicoper is always time critical, so to be able to slow the process down, learn from one another and enjoy what we do is completely invaluable.
His Majesties Coastguard requested the crew to take part in a ‘wet winch’ where lifeboat crew enter the water and the lifeboat moves away, the helicopter deploys a winchman on a wire to recover the crew member.
Crew members Ben Bradley-Watson and Simon Naylor who were winched said it was a new and great experience for them.
Thank you to the crew of Coastguard Rescue helicopter 175 for their time.'
Ever wondered what it would be like to be rescued from the water, take a look at our training video.
Suzanne Brown, Lifeboat Press Officer, Lymington Lifeboat Station (07711) 393910 [email protected].uk
Julie Rainey, Regional Media Officer, SE and London (07785) 296252 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on (01202) 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
Crew Helm James Douch, Simon Naylor, Ben Bradley Watson, Ted Ward.
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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.