Crew training is being ramped up in preparation for the arrival of Oban’s new lifeboat.
Weather permitting, the Campbell-Watson is due to set sail from Dorset on December 12.
Four senior members of the Oban crew have been at the RNLI’s training centre in Dorset to complete their jet handling course in preparation for handling the Shannon-class vessel.
Photograph: Stephen Lawson
SL-T46-Obancrew-2023-training
Coxswain Ally Cerexhe and deputy coxswains Andy Lockwood, David Isaac and James Hardie were learning how to get the best out of the boat’s water jet propulsion system having up until now operated a propeller-driven Trent class lifeboat.
In the coming weeks training will step up a gear for the whole crew as Oban’s present lifeboat, the Mora Edith MacDonald, is joined by a training Shannon vessel on loan.
Meanwhile, routine exercises have been continuing, including a recent refresher on using the lifeboat’s winch equipment to safely lift casualties from the water.