Your guide to what's been going on in the world of the RNLI

INTERNATIONAL HEROES

The RNLI’s Future Leaders in Lifesaving programme has picked up a prestigious HERO Award from the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF). Future Leaders in Lifesaving is the only course of its kind. It is designed and delivered by the RNLI in order to train and develop lifesavers in countries where drowning is a major cause of death.
The course equips participants with skills to take back to their home countries – everything from hands-on rescue techniques to planning training programmes, from media skills to strategies for building sustainable lifesaving services. RNLI International Programmes Manager Darren Williams says: ‘Our 2016 course was tailored specifically for new and developing SAR organisations. Candidates came together to develop their skills and knowledge, and most importantly share their experiences with each other. It is this sharing of knowledge that makes this course so special, and I would like to thank all the delegates who truly make this event so valuable.’ Find out more about how we’re working with partners around the world at RNLI.org/international

20 years since Gold Medal service

November 2017 marked the 20-year anniversary of a remarkable rescue, which resulted in the most recent Gold Medal to be awarded to an RNLI crew member. The story is one of heroism and tragedy. On 19 November 1997, Lerwick lifeboat crew were called to help the crew of the 3,000-tonne cargo vessel Green Lily off the Shetland coast. In force 11 winds and 13m waves, Coxswain Hewitt Clark steered the lifeboat perilously alongside. RNLI volunteers saved 5 lives that day, while coastguard helicopter Lima Charlie rescued Green Lily’s remaining 10 crew. But Coastguard Winchman Bill Deacon was washed overboard and lost before the ship broke apart on the rocky coastline. Winchman Deacon’s sacrifice was honoured with a posthumous Thanks on Vellum, also awarded jointly to the coastguard crew. The Lerwick lifeboat crew received Bronze Medals for Gallantry, with Coxswain Clark receiving the Gold Medal.

AGM Resolution Passed

The RNLI AGM 2017 was held on Wednesday 13 September at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset. A special resolution to amend our charity’s bye-laws was passed. The main changes were:
• to reduce the number of governors required fora valid vote from 100 to 50, in line with other
 charities of a similar size
• to formalise the holding of satellite meetings in other locations, to give more governors a chance
to be involved in important RNLI decisions. If you were not able to attend, you can see a video of the meeting at RNLI.org/AGM2017.

Words: Mairéad Dwane, Mark Scott
Photos: Pierre Maelzer Photography, Suzanne Nichol,
RNLI/(Nigel Millard, Nathan Williams), Sportsfile

Thanking our volunteers
More than 250 RNLI volunteers have been honoured in four local ceremonies – for Excellence in Volunteering and for Long Service.
The ceremonies took place in Belfast, Leeds, London and Wicklow. Excellence in Volunteering is a new category of RNLI award, designed to recognise those who go above and beyond in their roles, whether as outstanding ambassadors or as unsung heroes quietly doing what needs to be done to help save lives at sea.
We also recognised long-serving operational volunteers for their loyalty, dedication and service – in some cases for 50 years. RNLI Chair Stuart Popham told the volunteers and their families in Leeds: ‘When you’re asked: “Who saves lives at the RNLI?” you can say: “We all do.” ‘Everyone in the RNLI family knows that – together – we can continue to make a difference to the lives and livelihoods of thousands of others. And with the combined impact of our rescue and prevention work, we will save more lives. ‘I find it truly humbling to think of the collective years’ experience and care that are in this room right now. To every one of you – whether your service has been at sea or ashore – thank you.’

European Crew Exchange

For the fifth year running, RNLI volunteers have taken part in an exchange programme with other members of the International Maritime Rescue Federation. In September, volunteers from Castletownbere, Clifden, Dover, Larne, Morecambe, Walmer and Weymouth flew out to France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway and Sweden. Meanwhile, we hosted visiting lifeboat crews from the first five of those countries, alongside teams from Denmark and Estonia. Across 6 days, our visitors were immersed in RNLI training and culture. Their experiences included capsize training at the RNLI College, an afloat exercise near the Isle of Wight, and a visit to London’s Chiswick Lifeboat Station. ‘Thank you to the whole team at the RNLI for the fantastic work you do,’ said one visiting crew member. ‘I’ve learned so much on how other search and rescue agencies work. I can’t wait to take home new ideas that can help us save more lives on the water.’

Respect the Water in Croke Park

The RNLI’s Respect the Water safety campaign reached a whole new audience in Ireland last year, thanks to our partnership with the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association). The GAA is Ireland’s biggest sporting body and governs traditional Irish sports such as Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. Well-known players, and grassroots clubs, supported the campaign – culminating in the unfurling of a giant
Respect the Water flag on the Croke Park pitch on Sunday 20 August. Almost 70,000 fans were there to witness the All-Ireland football semi-final between Kerry and Mayo. They also received our main safety message of 2017: Float to Live. The advice here is not to panic if you fall into cold water, but to focus on floating first in order to combat the effects of cold water shock. Respect the Water will be back this year – and we’re looking forward to working with the GAA again to bring vital messages like this one to communities all around Ireland.