Manx volunteer lifeboat crews have received their new lifejackets – thanks to the generosity of the Manx lottery Trust.  RNLI volunteers have invited members of the Manx Lottery Trust as well as former Douglas mayoress Mrs Julie McNicholl, who has also supported the campaign, to Douglas lifeboat station next Friday to show their gratitude for supplying volunteer crews with the new lifesaving kit.

Thanks to the generous donation of ?18,000 by the Manx Lottery Trust, the lifejackets have now been purchased and are helping our volunteer lifeboat crews stay safe while saving lives around the Manx coast.

Volunteer crews on all five of the Island’s RNLI stations have received and been trained in how to use the modern pieces of search and rescue equipment.
Marlene Hendy, Chairman, Manx Lottery Trust says:

‘We are thrilled, as delegated partner of the Big Lottery Fund UK, to provide funding for the introduction of the new style lifejacket to all RNLI stations in the Isle of Man. We are pleased to hear that the new lifejackets have been delivered and already been put into good use by lifeboat crews across the Island. This is a unique opportunity to provide vital protective clothing for the brave volunteers who man the lifeboats and help safeguard our mariners in all weathers.’

Adele Fuller, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, said:

‘On behalf of the charity I would like to thank the Manx Lottery Trust and Julie McNicholl for supporting the RNLI and supplying our volunteer lifeboat crews with a vital piece of lifesaving kit that will help them save lives at sea.  The RNLI considers the safety of its volunteer crew members to be a priority across the coast of the UK and Isle of Man and continues to advance and improve its safety equipment. This lifejacket is a lifesaver in its own right and will help our volunteers to save lives at sea in years to come.’

The RNLI introduced the lifejackets to advance and improve existing kit and equipment for its volunteer crew. The two brand new types of lifejacket were designed through joint collaboration between the RNLI and the manufacturer to meet the charity’s current search and rescue requirements.

They will provide increased safety for all sizes and shapes of volunteers with a comfortable, secure fit. They are fitted with crotch straps, which prevent the lifejacket riding up over the wearer’s head when in the water, and an integrated harness, designed to pull the lifejacket away from the neck allowing greater freedom of movement while rescuing people.

There are also zipped pockets for casualty care kit, torches, gloves or knives and a spray hood designed to protect the wearer from sea spray. Ultimately the improved lifejackets should lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness in lifesaving.

It was back in 1854 that an RNLI Inspector called Captain Ward invented a cork lifejacket that proved a lifesaver on numerous occasions. But since those days, the charity has always looked to advance and improve its safety equipment, from kapok lifejackets to Beaufort lifejackets and the present day design.