How many lives have you saved?
I think about six that I can remember, but I’ve helped rescue many more.
What do you wear on the lifeboat?
Thermal layers to trap warm air, an outer waterproof and windproof shell called a drysuit. I also wear a helmet fitted with a radio, a lifejacket and a pair of sturdy boots (I also have a daft hat under my helmet!).
What is it like being a crewmember?
Really good fun, there’s always something to do and the team spirit is just great. Saving a life gives us all a thrill. We learn a lot from every job and we always try and work out how we could have done it better.
What happens if you get a call out when you are at work?
This isn’t an issue for us on the Thames. Our call out time has to be less than ninety seconds so we volunteers actually live on the station for two twelve hour shifts a month.
How do people react when you tell them you are a volunteer RNLI crewmember?
It’s always positive. Many are surprised that we are a charity paid for by public donations. It’s quite humbling when someone sees the logo on your shirt and just comes up to say “thank you.”
Do you ever get hungry when you are out on a shout?
No, I was a Scout so I’m always prepared and I have a couple of chocolate bars stowed in my pockets!
What happens if one of the crew falls in the water?
If it happens at speed there is a real danger of losing track of the crewman. So one of us will indicate the location to the helmsman and keep pointing to them until we close in and recover them.
Do you ever get seasick?
Oh yes!
How dangerous is your job as a crewmember?
There are hazards but we are aware of these and we follow procedure at all times.
Do you ever get frightened when you are about to go out on a rescue?
I’m always pretty excited, not scared really because I trust the rest of the crew to help me if I get into trouble. My only worry is whether or not I’ll remember my training and perform well.
Is it exciting?
High-speed boat, lots of traffic, fast moving water, lives in danger? Oh yeah, it’s really exciting!
What other work do you do? What does your boss think about you having to leave work and take time off?
I am a retired soldier but I was a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) for a while and my boss was pretty cool about it. In fact they allowed me to attend a weeks training at our college in Poole.
What’s the training like? Is there a lot of reading and writing?
The training at the RNLI college focuses more on skills but there is a lot of theoretical stuff such as navigation, weather, tidal drift calculations and first aid that require some classroom work, but it’s all done in a very relaxed atmosphere. Everyone knows how important it is for us to have this knowledge so we all help each other out, no one is made to feel stupid.
Have you ever not been able to rescue someone? How did that make you feel?
It’s a bit of a bad day when that happens - and it does – but I think that if we did our best – and we always have – then there is nothing more we could have done. If we weren’t here then there would be no chance of a rescue at all. It is always sad but it’s not something I dwell on.
Do you think you should get paid?
No, I don’t want to get paid; being on the crew is such a buzz, I’m happy to do that for free.