Charlie is the first recruit on Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station’s Youth Activity Scheme.
This initiative gives local young people, aged 16 to18, the opportunity to take part in the activities at Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station, generating an interest and aiding the transition to join the volunteer crew when they reach the age of 18.
Under the scheme the Youth Volunteers can undertake a limited number of tasks in support of Lifeboat Operations. Charlie has been assisting and learning about the Launch and Recovery of Aldeburgh’s Atlantic 85, Ralph and their D-class inshore lifeboat, Susan Scott at Thursday evening and Sunday morning training exercises.
Charlie has witnessed helicopter operations at a joint training exercise with HM Coastguard. He has spent a training session in the cab of the Talus, the amphibious tracked launch vehicle, to see the tractor driver’s role up close. Charlie has learnt about the Personal Protective Equipment both afloat and on shore, and assists with the post recovery checks done by the boat crew and shore crew. He has undertaken some of the shore crew training, including learning the nine knots of which the crew have to be proficient.
All being well, in June next year on Charlie’s 18th Birthday, he will join as volunteer and will commence his boat crew training having obtained the basics as a Youth Activity Volunteer.
If you are aged 16 – 18 and want to join the Youth Activity Scheme at Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station, please send your contact details to Linda_Hall@rnli.org.uk
If you are aged 18 – 70 and would like to join the Aldeburgh Lifeboat crew, visit rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities
