The 999 crew of the sea
More than 300 people volunteer with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute in Northern Ireland, giving up their time to protect and save lives. Debra Douglas joined Donaghadee’s RNLI lifeboat for a simulated air sea rescue to find out more
29 June 2006
The RNLI is often regarded as an emergency service which is always on hand for those who get into difficulties on or around the water.
But in reality, it is a charity which relies heavily on the commitment of its volunteers and the goodwill of those making donations to continue offering it’s extensive 24 hour service across the province.
These men and women come from all walks of life and selflessly give up their time for free for the people of Northern Ireland - it is a remarkable gesture but one that is all too often taken for granted.
Earlier this week, a number of volunteers took part in a training exercise with the crew of the Donaghadee lifeboat and saw at first hand the hard work and dedication of these volunteers.
The simulated air sea rescue also involved Bangor lifeboat, the Coastguard, an RAF helicopter from Prestwick, the Maritime Volunteer Service and the PSNI.
It was an opportunity for the organisations to work together to hone their skills but for me it was an interesting insight into how vital these organisations are.
The scenario was one that is not unusual off Northern Ireland’s coastline.
A fishing vessel gets into difficulties off the coast of Bangor. The anxious crew set off a distress signal and the Coastguard launches both Bangor and Donaghadee lifeboats and scrambles the RAF helicopter.
Most of the crew make it on to the boat’s inflatable raft while two end up in the water. Within minutes, help is at hand and a major rescue operation swings into action.
I was one of the lucky - and reasonably dry - ones to get into the raft. Sitting there waiting to be rescued was a very bizarre experience and it is easy to imagine how terrifying it would be for real.
But within minutes, the RAF rescuer landed on the raft from the helicopter and began winching people to safety as we looked on in amazement before we were rescued by the crew of the Donaghadee lifeboat.
Although it was a light-hearted day, it is not easy to forget that these people do this for real, these people save lives on a regular basis.
According to Alan Couser, Donaghadee lifeboat operations manager, the simulated rescue was a complete success.
“It went very well, it was a great opportunity for everyone to work together and everything went very smoothly, we’re very pleased,” he said.
Explaining what happens in a real emergency situation, he continued: “The person in difficulty makes a 999 call which goes to the Coastguard and they decide what to do.
“If they think it is required, they will contact the lifeboat station and ask us if we will launch. If it is blatantly obvious our help is required, they will press an emergency button which sends a message to the pagers all crew members carry.
“Once that pager goes, the crew members stop what they are doing, make their way to the lifeboat station and we form a crew and head out.
“From getting the message from the Coastguard to the boat leaving is no longer than ten minutes which is good going.”
Obviously, the tight time frame means volunteers must live close to the lifeboat station.
“We have to live close enough that we can be there within minutes,” Alan explained.
“It is a case of dropping everything and responding to the call and that requires a lot of understanding from the people our volunteers work for.
“You don’t know how long you’ll be away for so it can be difficult.”
It also requires a great deal of commitment.
“Our volunteers are willing to come out at all times of the day and night to ensure our service operates 24 hours a day,” Alan continued.
“Even if it means getting up in the middle of the night, they are always willing to give up their time to help people.
“You get a real lump in your throat when you see them coming back in from a rescue, there is a lot of pride in what they do.
“These people give their heart and soul to this, they are saving lives, they are making a difference.”
- Last summer, northern ireland’s lifeboats were launched a total of 127 times, making it the busiest summer season on record for the nine rnli stations and their volunteer crews.
- The RNLI’s inshore and all-weather lifeboats launched 208 times in often difficult, and sometimes dangerous, sea conditions.
- Throughout the UK and Ireland, the charity’s lifeboats were called upon 8,273 times during 2005.
- The busiest lifeboat station was Enniskillen, which launched 35 times and rescued 56 people, followed by Portrush, which launched 34 times and rescued 32 people.
- As this year’s summer season gets under way, Alan urged people to ensure they are well prepared before heading out to sea.
- The most important thing is to tell people where you are going.
- “Make sure your boat is kept in tip top order and ensure you are well prepared with lifejackets and a good supply of blankets and warm clothing”.
