After twelve months of training, Newhaven volunteer crew member, Danny Woodford has qualified as an RNLI Mechanic.
Mechanics are essential crew members on board the charity’s all-weather lifeboats. Newhaven's Severn class lifeboat 'David and Elizabeth Acland' cannot launch without one.
Mechanics are trained to start and stop the boat, manage emergency procedures and deal with minor defects in the engine operating machinery. While at sea, the mechanic is responsible for fire safety and fire emergency procedures, rectifying minor mechanical problems and ensuring that equipment is running safely.
Newly qualified mechanic Danny Woodford says: ‘I’m thrilled to have qualified as Mechanic. The training has mostly been at the station, with one week at the RNLI College in Poole - pulling engines apart and rebuilding them.’
‘I’m looking forward to my first shouts as mechanic and wish to thank fellow crew and coxswains: Lewis, Nick, Andy and Lee for their time and effort helping me to succeed.’
Lewis Arnold, Coxswain/Mechanic, says: ‘Mechanic is a critical role on the lifeboat. Having enough mechanics on the crew ensures we can maintain our availability to be on service and ready to respond to help when we are needed.’
‘The training involves an intense amount of learning around the mechanical operations of the vessel. Danny received practical training and gained experience by shadowing during our regular training exercises on the ALB. Congratulations to him, it’s an excellent achievement.’
With your support, the RNLI provides world class training for its volunteers. It costs the charity £1,527 to train up a new Lifeboat Crew Member. You can donate, helping us to save more lives at sea, here: https://rnli.org/
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