Fabulous Five Littlestone RNLI volunteer crew pass assessments.
Last week three crew passed out on their crew emergency procedures course at Poole and this week saw two crew pass out as navigators.
Volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew Samuel Leigh, Mark Owen and John Thurgood complete their crew emergency procedures course at Poole. The training included jumping into the pool from 5m and recovering from an upturned Atlantic 85 under simulated rough conditions in the pool. Once they have completed a number of training exercises they become available to go onto service calls on the lifeboat along with more experienced crew and help save lives at sea.
This week, Littlestone volunteer lifeboat crew Ron Thrall and Iain Anderson have successfully passed out as qualified navigators on the B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, after passing the two-part afloat and theory navigation assessment.
The two-part afloat and theory navigation assessment, by RNLI Assessor Dave Needham, took place over two days on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 June.
The role of ILB Navigator was introduced at the beginning of 2024, as part of the RNLI's new Operational Competency Framework that went live around the same time. Littlestone RNLI training exercises focus on teamwork, technical competence and safe operating procedures and every crew member follows a structured programme of competence-based training and assessment.
John Kenny Lifeboat Operations Manager said 'We are really proud of the effort that Iain and Ron have put in to pass out as qualified Navigators and are grateful to Dave Needham for his work assessing both crew members. This good news comes hard on the heels of three of our crew members successfully completing their Crew Emergency Procedures course at Poole. Mark Owen, Sam Leigh and John Thurgood are all now progressing on their boat plans.
If your interested in joining our crew for any role sea going or shore based, please contact our Lifeboat Operations Manager by emailing [email protected]
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Clinton Marshall, Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlestone Lifeboat Station
on 07758 616581 or [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead (London/East/South East)
on 07827 58256 or [email protected]
Hatti Mellor, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East)
on 07724 801305 or [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer
on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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 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 142,200 lives.
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.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.