Penarth RNLI lifeboat crew will join members of Challenge Wales and RAF on a joint training and rescue exercise on Sunday 27th June.
The 72-foot Challenge Wales yacht will be training with the RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew to learn more about the emergency services and how they react to situations when they are called out to save lives at sea.
Challenge Wales is a sail-training charity that teaches young people aged 12-25 social skills including teambuilding, communication, leadership and self-esteem. Man overboard drills are regularly rehearsed on Challenge Wales with crew and explained in a safety briefing at the start of every sailing trip. However, having the opportunity to practise with the RNLI will improve their training and experience, and prepare the teams when sailing with both young people and with adults on fundraising trips.
Andy Hall, Trustee and Skipper of Challenge Wales said:
‘Undertaking a joint training exercise is valuable for both crew and the rescue services. Gear failure, man overboard, requirement for medivac (medical evacuation) are all real situations that could occur at sea. This exercise will enable us to practise recovering a real person from the water and understand helicopter evacuation in a controlled environment.’
Jason Dunlop, Helm at Penarth RNLI Lifeboat Station, commented:
‘We look forward to the exercise on Sunday. It’s a great opportunity for the RNLI lifeboat crew to train with other organizations. It’s also a chance for Challenge Wales and the RAF to learn more about the RNLI and the work of our volunteers.’
