Appledore RNLI gains a new helm and crew member in one night

Appledore’s inshore lifeboat has gained a new helm and a new crew member in the same night.

Matt Rowe who passed out as a fully qualified helm for the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat on Tuesday, October 10, while Lucy Lo-Vel who passed out as a fully competent crew member at the same time.

It takes years of hard work, training, experience and commitment to become an RNLI helm, whose role is to take command of the search and rescue unit when at sea.

In Matt’s case, that is the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and D Class boarding boat, used extensively at Appledore for estuary shouts, particularly during low tide.

The helm is in command and has a duty to safeguard their crew, the vessel and rescue those in danger, whatever the conditions, day or night.

Following extensive practical and theoretical training, both in Appledore and at the RNLI’s training centre at Poole, the final practical pass out, examined by an external trainer/assessor, is based on how well the person copes with a whole series of scenarios thrown at them on the night.

Matt’s assessment saw him first sent out to a ‘casualty’ with a suspected broken leg near Croyde, somewhere between Down End and Baggy Point, on the rocks.

A shoreline search located the casually and the lifeboat had to veer down towards the rocks to enact the rescue.

Other scenarios included freeing the anchor trapped firmly in the rocks, a fire on board, man over board, lost steering and bringing the boat back onto the launch trolley under emergency steering. Matt flew through the whole assessment with flying colours.

Lucy, one of Matt’s crew members on board throughout this assessment, was also being assessed as to her competency as an inshore lifeboat crew member. Lucy also passed out with high praise.

Rob Ward was the third crew member onboard, with Lyle Stantiford, the external assessor.

 Appledore RNLI’s coxswain said: “Both Lucy and Matt have worked and trained extremely hard and all the crew are delighted that they passed out in their different roles last night.

“This was made especially special as they have been close friends for almost 25 years, most of these before they ever joined the RNLI.

“But we also have to say thank you to the whole crew, whether boat, shore or management based, who have given so much time to help support and train Matt and Lucy.

“All pass outs are a real team effort. Congratulations Matt and Lucy.”