We're excited to share that Sidmouth Lifeboat will be involved in three training sessions over the next eight weeks with the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter for St Athans, South Wales (which replaced the Coastguard SAR unit at Portland as the helicopter cover for this area in 2016).

ð—ªð—µð—®ð˜ ð—¶ð˜€ ð—¶ð—»ð˜ƒð—¼ð—¹ð˜ƒð—²ð—±?

Sessions are primarily focussed around training for aircrew and lifeboat crew for casualty transfers.

The helicopter (helo) flies into the wind at approximately 15 knots, holding as straight a course as possible.

The lifeboat then manoeuvres into position directly below the winch on the starboard side of the helo, avoiding various 'no go' areas, which include the powerful downdraught from the blades.

The helo winch operator then lowers the winchman onto the moving lifeboat, where they secure the casualty and winch back up to the helo.

This is all done following an initial briefing, but without any live communications, due to the noise from both the helo and the lifeboat engines.

ð—ªð—µð˜† ð—±ð—¼ ð˜„ð—² ð—±ð—¼ ð—¶ð˜?

This exercise is one of the most challenging things we can undertake as Lifeboat Crew, so the opportunity for three sessions in close succession is very valuable.

ð—ªð—µð—²ð—» ð—®ð—¿ð—² ð˜ð—µð—² ð˜ð—¿ð—®ð—¶ð—»ð—¶ð—»ð—´ ð˜€ð—²ð˜€ð˜€ð—¶ð—¼ð—»ð˜€ ð˜ð—®ð—¸ð—¶ð—»ð—´ ð—½ð—¹ð—®ð—°ð—²?

Sessions will be at 1030 on Sunday mornings (exact dates to be confirmed), subject to weather and operational requirements, so keep an eye out for us on the seafront!