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/
The popular leisure pool at Eastbourne’s Sovereign Centre will remain open this winter, giving local families residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy swimming and family fun during the cold months.
The Alliance for Wealden will retain majority control of Wealden District Council following the announcement of the withdrawal of its two Labour councillors.
The Sussex-based disability charity SASBAH has announced its first-ever Charity Fire Walk, a fundraising challenge designed to raise vital funds and awareness for its work supporting more than 1,000 people across the county.
In a letter to East Sussex County Council Leader, Councillor Andy Woolley, Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde has raised serious concerns about what he describes as the “nonsensical timetable” for the Station Parade bus lane works and called on them to “urgently reconsider”.
Eastbourne will come together to commemorate Armistice Day with a series of events next month, including the Sunday Service of Remembrance on 8 November.