Visits to the RNLI
International visitors to RNLI headquarters and The Lifeboat College:
27 December 2006
ICESAR Crew Exchange (Pilot Programme)
The RNLI's Tower Pier Lifeboat Station welcomed the opportunity to pilot a crew exchange programme. Two crew members from the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR), from Reykjavik, came for a week's hands-on experience, working alongside our own crew. The timing was of particular benefit as the Thames Authority required two crafts to be waterborne to meet the added demands during the new year public celebrations. The two crew members funded the visit themselves. It was not feasible to release crews to do the same over in Iceland during this time but it is hoped to reciprocate the visit at some point in the future. (Click here for a few of the photos showing the Tower Pier Crew and the the two visiting Icelandic helmsmen)
18 December 2006
Korean Coast Guard, Lee Maschinbeau and Griffon Hovercraft
Members from all three organisations visited our Operations
staff, for discussions and a tour of the Lifeboat College and headquarters.
15 December 2006
St Helena Sea Rescue
Discussions took place between the RNLI staff and representatives from the embryonic organisation regarding requirements (boats/training etc) for the provision of a sea rescue service for the South Atlantic Island of St. Helena.
St Helena is an overseas territory of the UK. In an attempt to re-generate the economy and gain a degree of financial independence they are looking at the possibility of setting up an air service/airport on the island, which will require the back up of inshore sea rescue. Those involved wish to develop a proposal for the provision of a rescue craft which could serve not only the needs of the airport but also the rest of the Island as well (which currently has no sea rescue at all).
08 December 2006
ICESAR Volunteer Fundraisers
The RNLI has welcomed a visit from 12 volunteer fundraisers (all ladies!) from Seltjarnarnes, Iceland. They came for a tour of the Lifeboat College and to see presentations made by members of staff from the RNLI's Fundraising and Communications Department. They learned all about how we strive to achieve the targets set to meet the costs of running the RNLI.
16 November 2006
Emergency Management Office of State Council from Peoples' Repulic of China
A delegation of 22 came to visit for a tour of the Lifeboat College and boatyard.
06-07 November 2006
President of the French Lifeboat Organisation, Societe Nationale de Sauvetage En Mer
At the invitation of our Chief Executive, Admiral Lagane visited the RNLI's Headquarters for a tour of the site and discussions with the Executive Team and operations staff as part of our ongoing liaison with other lifeboat organisations.
26 September 2006
Captain William Norton and Captain Allyn Norton, (both USCG Retired)
Capt. Bill Norton and Capt. Allyn Norton are currently writing a book about lifesaving worldwide. They visited the RNLI for a day to complete a tour of the Lifeboat College and to obtain interviews from crew-members who were undergoing training at the College at the time. They wanted to understand what makes them do the heroic job that they do. The theme that ran through most of the answers was their love of their fellow man
21 September 2006
US Navy (Panama City)
At the request of the MOD, US Navy personnel came to visit the Technical Department of the RNLI to discuss ideas on ergonomics and injury prediction/prevention.
21 September 2006
Civil Defence(Madeira)
10-12 crew members from the Madeiran Civil Protection Service responsible for Fire, Police & Coast Guard Services in Madeira visited the Lifeboat College, Poole, for a one-day Personal Survival Training Course which involved use of the Survival Centre wave tank.
11 September 2006
Chinese Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (MRSC)
Thirty delegates visited from the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration and China Rescue and Salvage Bureau. This visit was requested by the Chinese government to identify how MRSC can emulate the ‘highly renowned worldwide’ approach to search and rescue that exists in the UK between the RNLI and Maritime Coast Guard Agency (MCA). It included joint presentations from RNLI and MCA.
3 August 2006
Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICESAR)
Sigurdur Vidarsson and two crew members from Patreksfjordur visited to finalise the purchase of their decommissioned RNLI lifeboat.,Arun class ON113 Mickie Salvesen, which was latterly stationed at Barry Dock in Wales. She was bound for Patreksfjordur in the west fjords of Iceland.
28 July 2006
Japan Coast Guard
Commander Tetsuya Yamaji and five cadets from the Japanese training vessel Kojima came to visit the RNLI during their annual training trip to the UK. Their visit included a tour of the RNLI Lifeboat College, Boatyard and the Central Operations Information Room.
