Calshot RNLI volunteers leave Christmas party to attend first shout of 2024
On the evening of 20 January 2024, crew from Calshot RNLI were attending their annual Christmas party, when they were tasked to their first shout of the year.
Having designated a duty crew, volunteers were enjoying local food and drink at the local Vibrant Forest Brewery, along with music provided by Calshot Launch Authority Jim Bryant’s band Barefoot Soul, when they abruptly departed mid-way through Eagle Eye Cherry’s classic Save Tonight.
On attending the station crew launched the Atlantic 85 B Class Lifeboat Max Walls and made good speed to the casualty who had been located in the water.
On arrival at the scene volunteer crew, that included both a Paramedic and an Emergency Care Assistant provided casualty care before passing the casualty to the waiting team from South Central Ambulance Service before returning to the station to make the boat ready for service again.
The shout not only marked the first shout of 2024 for the Calshot crew, it also represented the first paged shouts for new crew members James Silsbury and James ‘JJ’ Johnston.
Of the shout, Barefoot Soul singer and Calshot volunteer Launch Authority, Bryant said: ‘It was perhaps apt that we were playing Save Tonight when the crew left, however we had a moment of panic as its never a good sign when performing when a number of the audience walk out part way through your set!’
Volunteer Trainee Helm, Daniel Reeve added: ‘Whilst it was a shame to miss an event that had been so many months in organising, as a crew we are committed to saving lives at sea and when the call came we were focused on answering it.’
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