Past Master, Martyn Wheatley, in association with his brother Stephen of the RNLI, organized an interesting and enjoyable visit, for twenty-one SIM members on Saturday 27 June, to the RNLI’s Tower Lifeboat Station.
This dynamic floating workplace is manned, by dedicated and well-trained individuals, who when the call comes in, can be up and away in seconds, aboard their 900bhp E-Class boats to save lives, at speeds of up to 50mph across the water.
The SIM group were welcomed aboard the floating station by Stephen and told all about the remarkable history of the RNLI, plus the amazing statistics regarding lives saved and rescues made along the Thames. We learnt that the station is coming up for 25 years on the Thames, in which time they have responded to over 12,000 ‘Shouts’ and saved nearly 400 lives.
Stephen was assisted by colleagues Al and Ben, who explained all about the boats, the special clothing, their first responder training, and of course, vital medical kit, which enables them to save so many lives. We were also shown the resuscitation room and talked through the procedures used to revive people pulled from the river, working with medics and ambulance crews, so that they can be safely transferred to a hospital for further treatment.
The RNLI works closely with the Police, the Ambulance Service, the Fire Brigade, and the Coastguard, on co-ordinated rescues and missions.
We all came away thinking what a fascinating organisation the RNLI are, and what a remarkable job they do, not just on the Thames, but all around the UK, including stations along the Irish coast too.
Sadly, we didn’t get to go out on one of their boats, which have more power, than a Bugatti Veyron!
If you think you have an idea, for a SIM group visit, please do get in touch with Martyn Wheatley, to talk about how we might develop more visits for all our SIM members.
