Four Ramsey RNLI lifeboat crew volunteers have successfully attained the RYA Day Skipper qualification. From 9am until 5pm over six consecutive January and February Saturday's they have studied under the expert tutelage of Ramsey RNLI branch based Dr Gordon Dickens, who is Yacht Master ocean qualified and also a qualified RYA Yacht Master shore-based instructor and examiner. The four RNLI crew were joined on the course by three non-lifeboat recreational seafarers who also gained the qualification.
Dr Dickens, the RNLI Sea Safety Officer for the Isle of Man, observed: “The purpose of the RNLI charity is to save lives at sea and high quality training for its volunteers is paramount to the organisation, which uses a competence based training framework to ensure all volunteer crew are trained to an appropriate and safe standard.
“Day Skipper is the first of the RYA theory courses and is admirably suited to the needs of relatively recent RNLI lifeboat volunteer and also the recreational craft user. It covers both sail and power and provides a comprehensive introduction to basic navigation, seamanship, meteorology, “rules of the road”, tides, boat construction and electronic navigation.
“Over the six weeks there were twelve tutor marked assessments and two formal examinations. The course also prepares candidates to undertake the more arduous RYA Yacht Master qualification.
“So to the participants on the course, well done! They have willingly given up their spare time and worked extremely hard. They should all be proud of themselves. One of our Lifeboat crew completed the course with a highly commended and one of the recreational seafarers gained a commended, which is tremendous.
”We also thank Ramsey Commissioners for permitting us to use the function room at Cooyrt Balleigh, which is an excellent facility and was an ideal venue for the course.”
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