Crew members newly qualified as Offshore Yachtmasters

Volunteer crewmembers Ian Black and Ian Wood have returned to Tynemouth as qualified yachtmasters after passing the stringent examinations for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification at a course held at the RNLI Lifeboat College, Poole. This will enable them to eventually take command of Tynemouth RNLI’s Severn Class lifeboat, Spirit of Northumberland.

Crew member Ian Black, also a qualified inshore lifeboat helmsman, said: “The Yachtmaster Offshore qualification involves a lot of preparation and practice for the five-day course which involves theory and practical tests in all aspects of seamanship including navigation, marine rules and regulations, and boat handling on the RNLI’s training vessel Watchful, but it’s all worthwhile as it means we are better trained to our job.”

High quality training is paramount to the RNLI. The organisation uses a competence based training framework to ensure all volunteer crew are trained to an appropriate and safe standard that reflects individual job roles. The RNLI continually strives to enhance the skills and professionalism of all crew members and, for this reason, some aspects of training include externally accredited courses including The Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster Offshore examination.

Find out more about the Lifeboat College by clicking here, and more about the Yachtmaster qualification here.

Yachtmaster is a registered trademark of the Royal Yachting Association.