RNLI Skegness and RNLI Hunstanton come together for annual joint training
In a display of continued cooperation and skill, the crews from RNLI Skegness in Lincolnshire and RNLI Hunstanton in Norfolk met up in The Wash for their annual joint training exercise.
This year's training exercise, held on Sunday 7 January 2024 at 10:30am was the continuation of a tradition between the two stations that has occurred for many years.
During the training exercise, Skegness RNLI's all-weather lifeboat, the Joel and April Grunnill, with Hunstanton's B class inshore lifeboat, Spirit of West Norfolk, and their Rescue Hovercraft, the Hunstanton Flyer met to conduct joint training. This gathering allowed both crews to engage in training across three classes of rescue craft, enhancing their operational proficiency and readiness.
This exercise is important for both stations, providing an opportunity to expand their understanding of the different lifeboats in the RNLI fleet, their operational differences, and ways to more effectively work together in future rescue operations. The partnership between Hunstanton and Skegness has been evident in numerous service launches, including a recent joint operation in May 2023, to assist a casualty in The Wash.
Brad Johnson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, expressed the significance of these training sessions: 'Understanding the capabilities of Hunstanton's rescue craft is critical for our joint operations. These exercises are not just about practice; they're about building a deeper, more intuitive understanding and relationship between our crews, which is invaluable in service launches.'
Hunstanton's Lifeboat Operations Manager Rigil Kent said: ‘It’s something our crew look forward to all year. As an annual thing we meet up with the Skegness crew, we usually exchange mince pies and soft drinks and see in the New Year out in the middle of The Wash.’
The RNLI Skegness and RNLI Hunstanton look forward to continuing this tradition, fostering a bond that not only enhances their skills but also ensures the safety and well-being of those at sea.
Notes to editor
- The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is the charity that saves lives at sea.
- Skegness RNLI is based on Tower Esplanade, Skegness. The lifeboat station was founded in 1825 and the volunteer crew use an inshore D class lifeboat The Holland Family and as well as an all-weather Shannon class lifeboat the Joel and April Grunnill.
- Hunstanton RNLI is based on Sea Lane, Old Hunstanton. The lifeboat station was founded in 1867 and the volunteer crew use an inshore B class lifeboat The Spirit of West Norfolk and as well as a rescue hovercraft, the Hunstanton Flyer - one of only four stations in the country with a hovercraft.
- The charity turns 200 on 4 March 2024. For more bicentenary information visit https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024/programmes
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.