Articles Shannon class talk draws in crowd at Exmouth RNLI Guild AGM

Shannon class talk draws in crowd at Exmouth RNLI Guild AGM

Shannon class talk draws in crowd at Exmouth RNLI Guild AGM

Approximately 60 people attended the 2012 Exmouth RNLI Guild AGM held on 23 April at the Exe Sailing Club. The Exmouth Lifeboat Management Group open meeting followed on with the guest speaker Lee Firman, Coxswain of the Shannon class trials ending the evening with a question and answer session.

The attendees included lifeboat crew members and officers, the Exmouth Deputy Town Mayor, Exmouth Town Councillors and members of the public. The meeting commenced with a minute’s silence in memory for recently departed members of Exmouth RNLI, past and present. Jack Stapley, Guild President; David Jackson, Budleigh Salterton Co-ordinator; Doug Were, second mechanic on City of Birmingham and John Kirley, former inshore lifeboat crew member were remembered.

Maureen Chandler announced she was stepping down as Secretary in December. Maureen joined the Guild in 1985 when it was first set up and received both gold and silver badges for her dedicated service. The committee had asked her to become the Vice President when she steps down and she had accepted.

Committee member, Jean Harris had resigned after dedicating nearly 50 years to RNLI fundraising in Exmouth and the West Midlands.

Due to current resignations, the fundraising team are looking to recruit new and fresh faces to continue the success of raising money for the charity that saves lives at sea. If you are interested, please contact Don Hodgkinson on 07764 930169.

Tim Baker, Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group spoke briefly to thanks the Guild enforcing the message that the Guild commitment keeps the lifeboats in service.

Kevin Riley, Lifeboat Operations Manager spoke about recent outstanding events, especially the awards the station had achieved. Kevin introduced Roger Jackson who will be awarded a bronze medal for gallantry at the national RNLI AGM at London’s Barbican in May. Roger thanked his fellow crew members saying,

‘All of Exmouth RNLI will share in receiving the medal on that day. A Helmsman can’t go to sea without his crew, but the crew can go to sea without his Helm.’

Kevin introduced Lee Firman, Coxswain of the Shannon class trials for a presentation on the new prototype lifeboat. Lee and his team had brought the new lifeboat model to Exmouth on 18 and 19 April to test it on the sandy beach. This was the first of many visits to a variety of coasts around the UK. Using water jet based engines not propellers, Lee claims this would be the most manoeuverable boat in the RNLI fleet. Lee invited questions on the new design after his presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Shannon class prototype during the trials at Exmouth on 18 April.

 

Author: ian_taylor@rnli.org.uk