Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteer Iain Keenan passes out as Hovercraft pilot
Tuesday 26 February 2024, Iain John (Keenan) Southend-on-Sea RNLI crew member and ‘Future Hits radio’ DJ passed his final assessment to become the charity’s latest volunteer Hovercraft pilot.
Huge congratulations to volunteer Iain for passing the rigorous training and assessment to become Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat’s latest RNLI Hovercraft pilot. As well as training to become a pilot, Iain has been focusing on other roles, including casualty care and Trauma Risk Management training.
Low tide at Southend-on-Sea and the surrounding area reviles several miles of sand and mud flats extending to almost 2 miles offshore in places. Across the flats are numerous hazards such as oyster beds, channels, the odd rock and timbers from old jetties and boats. With an incoming spring tide, the water rushes in faster than a person can walk. Inevitably people get cut off by the tide. The shellfish beds, channels and obstacles become a real danger. Southend-on-Sea RNLI rescue Hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine is a crucial asset to saving lives, helping people and animals who are distressed or in danger.
Iain said: ‘Passing out as pilot has been very stop start for me, a number of times I’ve got close to the pass out but something’s happened, be it unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or just not being in the right place at the right time. I’ve concentrated on other responsibilities as well, such as my local trainer assessor role training new recruits, casualty care, and completing my TRiM Practitioner (Trauma Risk Management) training, which I completed a BTec City & Guilds qualification for, so I’m really chuffed to finally have got the opportunity to successfully complete my Hovercraft pilot pass out’.
Among his busy life, Iain also hosts a radio show every Wednesday afternoon from 4pm on Future Hits. This coming Wednesday 6 March, Iain will be dedicating his entire show ‘Wednesday Drive’ to the RNLI and the charity’s 200 years of lifesaving. https://futurehits.co.uk/
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution operates Hovercrafts at four stations, Southend-on-Sea, Hunstanton, Morecambe and Hoylake. Introduced to the RNLI fleet in 2002 the Hovercraft has saved many lives and aided countless people and animals. Southend-on-Sea RNLI Hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine and the essential pilots are responsible for keeping Southend beaches and tidal flats a much safer place for over 20 years.
Notes to editors
- Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station has been operating since 1879. To learn more about the lifeboat station, go to: https://southendlifeboat.org/
- Southend-on-Sea RNLI Hovercraft, H-004 Vera Ravine is housed at Southend RNLI inshore station, on call 24 hours a day.
- Photos: Southend RNLI/Iain Keenan.
RNLI media contacts
- For more information please contact: Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea RNLI, 07765875300 or [email protected],
- Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
- Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead - South East, on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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.