Father and Son, from Burnham-on-Sea RNLI attend the same CEP course.
Since the RNLI introduced the Operational Competence Training (OCF) initiative, it is essential that operational volunteers attend a Crew Emergency Protocol (CEP) training course at RNLI college Poole, before attending on callouts, or shouts.
So, it happened that long standing Burnham RNLI boat crew (Also a mechanic and Senior Helm) Jason Coombes, found himself attending at Poole college on the same CEP course as his 18 year old son Jake. In fact, they weren’t the only Father and Son duo on the same CEP course, being accompanied by Colin and Rhys from from Rhyl.
Before joining the RNLI in 2003, Jason had previous service with a local independent lifeboat charity, which now runs the BARB Search and rescue hovercraft. The OCF training structure formalises all training requirements, into a multi functional syllabus.
Jake had previously attended Burnham-on-Sea RNLI lifeboat station under the Duke of Edinburgh training scheme, which had encouraged his enthusiasm, so the minute he became eighteen years of age, he promptly signed up as volunteer crew. After shore crew training and a couple of acquaintance trips on the Burnham lifeboat, he demonstrated the necessary qualities needed to become a full lifeboat crew volunteer. Hence, the recent CEP training with his father Jason.
Jake Coombes says; ‘My dad has inspired me to join the crew from a young age as i was always watching him launch and recover and i have always shown interest in joining
I had enjoyed all of the CEP course but my favourite part had to have been the atlantic and d class capsize
I couldn’t go out on a shout with my dad until i had completed my CEP course but i am looking forward to going on a shout and working together with my dad to save lives.
Jason Coombes replies;
I have been on the lifeboat at Burnham on sea for 26 years and hold the position of Senior Helm, Mechanic, and LTA at the station.
It was a proud couple of days attended the CEP course with Jake.
To watch him bond with crew from different stations and all while doing something he loves and is very passionate about. ( He must get the passionate bit from his Dad) was very heart warming.
We haven't done any shouts together yet as Jake is unable to crew shouts until he had passed his CEP course. ( which he did )
The day will come, and it will be another proud moment for both of us.
I treat him as if he were any other crew member when at sea and I will obviously do the same when that first shout comes along.
He will make a valuable member of the crew as he is determined to do everything he does to an exemplary standard.
But in the back of my mind," I will be saying that's my boy"
It's been a long time coming for Jake to join the crew. 18 long years in fact and he was counting down the days come the end.
He did do last summer as a RNLI lifeguard to help the time go a little quicker.
I'm sure we will have our ups and downs together on the crew and maybe one day his younger brother Lewis may even come and join us.
It's exciting, emotional, and sometimes worrying to have Jake on the crew with me and it makes me feel old.
But I'm sure he will go above and beyond to help save lives at sea.
RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea
A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003
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For more information please contact Mike Lang, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
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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.
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