News just in from George. Ed
Cowes RNLI lifeboat now has a fourth volunteer qualified to take the helm of its Atlantic 85 RIB ‘Tabby Cat’.
Kevin Richardson is the latest crew member to meet the RNLI’s exacting requirements for taking charge of the boat.
“It is very pleasing to have someone as committed as Kevin to be a helm,” said said Launch Operations Manager Mark Southwell. “We have long recognised the need to train up more crew members to be a helm. Two other crew members could, if all goes well, have qualified by early next year, bringing us up to six helm, which is the optimum number for a station like ours.”
Isle of Wight Youth Water Activities Centre
Although Kevin (39) of East Cowes works as a watersports instructor with the Isle of Wight Youth Water Activities Centre (IYWAC) during the day, he still found the RNLI training very useful. “Because the RNLI are so very thorough and professional I have added a lot more to my knowledge.”
Mark explained that a number of helms were needed to ensure that at least one was able to respond to emergency call-outs, especially during normal working hours when it can be difficult to get away for some people.
Within days of being passed as a helm by the RNLI’s divisional inspector, Alan Head, Kevin was able to put his training to the test when he and his crew were tasked to deal with a body in the Solent.
