ST Catherine’s lifeboat has almost doubled its number of volunteer launch vehicle drivers.
After a successful recent assessment, four new drivers are now able to launch the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, bringing the total number of launchers at the station to ten.
Madalin Spataru, Simon Cousins, Jim Chandler and Brian Brown completed their launch training for the rig used by St Catherine’s RNLI. Their boat is launched using a specially modified trailer to manoeuvre the vessel from the boathouse and into the sea.
As part of the role, the launch vehicle driver is expected to handle mechanical issues for the tractor and trailer, issues caused by the changing nature of the shingle beach and tides, and deal with potentially dangerous equipment in confined spaces.
Michael McNally, launch authority for St Catherine’s RNLI, congratulated the new launchers on being appointed to what he called a “particularly tricky” role.
He said: “The launcher role is particularly tricky at St Catherine’s due to the wide variety of conditions that we are required to launch into and the nature of the ever-changing shingle beach we operate from.”
Mr McNally added: “Having another four volunteer launchers available at the station will relieve pressure on the existing rota and will allow greater flexibility for holiday cover.”
