18/04/2004

Lifeboat busy with crew training and boat maintenance

There have been no search and rescue calls to the Baltimore Lifeboat so far in 2004, but the crew has still been busy over the winter months with crew training. The Lifeboats are endeavouring to train crews to meet international standards as accredited by the Department of the Marine. Each station has a competency based training system for all crew, and this is augmented by courses run at Lifeboat headquarters in Poole, at the Cork Institute of Technology and locally at the lifeboat station.

Last Friday night saw the award ceremony for the completion of a shorebased ISA Yachtmaster Course. The course was delivered by Eddie English of the International Sailing School in Cobh and was attended by fourteen crew-members. People living locally also availed of the opportunity to attend the course in Baltimore. The course covered Meterology, International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea, Chartwork, Pilotage and Passage Planning. All seagoing crew must complete sea survival and fire-fighting courses. These courses are provided by the Nautical Studies Department in CIT. Lifeboat specific skills such as engine maintenance are taught in Poole. The development of comprehensive training for lifeboat crews allows relative novices to join the lifeboat and in time become competent seafarers capable of carrying out the challenging duties of rescue at sea.

The Tyne class Baltimore Lifeboat “Hilda Jarrett” has been to Appledore Boatyard in Devon to fit a fire suppression system in the engine room and in enclosed spaces. This new pyrogen system is replacing the older halogen system which is considered environmentally harmful due to its use of CFC’s and is part of ongoing upgrades in the lifeboat fleet. The crew of the lifeboat will be returning “Hilda Jarrett” to Baltimore when the weather is good enough to travel and the relief lifeboat will proceed to the next lifeboat station to permit further maintenance.

Although the lifeboat is supported entirely by voluntary contribution, the highest standards of professionalism have been maintained in every sphere of its activities. The lifeboats are built to the most stringent specifications and are fitted with the best and most up-to-date equipment. The lifeboat volunteers offer a second-to-none service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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