DATE 26/02/2008 TIME 1.50 pm     REFERENCE:SMT/080226/011

New helmsman at Rye Harbour RNLI lifeboat station.

Following an Inspector’s Exercise last night (Monday, 25/02/08), Don Paige became the fifth helmsman at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station.

After successfully completing his ‘B’ Class Helm course at the RNLI Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset; Don has been putting all his newly gained knowledge to use over the last few months.

Last nights exercise saw Don put all that knowledge into practice, whilst being put through his paces. At the end of the exercise, Don was passed out as an RNLI ‘B’ Class Helmsman.

Richard Tollett, Lifeboat Operation Manager at Rye Harbour said:

‘Training is vital to allow volunteers to go to sea and save lives. On average, it cost £20,000 for training at each lifeboat station, each year. The RNLI’s Train one, save many fundraising campaign aims to raise £10 million over 5 years for the vital training our volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards need'.

'I would like to congratulate Don on attaining his new position as a Helmsman'.

END

Photo: Don Paige

Notes to editors

1. Photo's courtesy of Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station.
2. Don joined Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat station in April 2002.
3. The RNLI is a registered charity and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income.

For more information please contact Steve Tollett, the RNLI lifeboat press officer at Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station on email: Press Officer.

Vision

To be recognised universally as the most effective, innovative and dependable lifeboat service.Royal National Lifeboat Institution headquarters:

West Quay Road
Poole
Dorset
BH15 1HZ
Tel 0845 1226999
Fax 0845 1261999