Highland trio complete vital training to help RNLI keep Loch Ness visitors safe
Three fresh faces are helping to save lives on Loch Ness after completing vital training.
The RNLI’s Loch Ness lifeboat station is celebrating the passing out of three volunteers as new Launch Authorities.
Alasdair Fraser, Andrew Griffin and Graham Fraser have all successfully passed their training for the roles, which are a critical part of an RNLI lifeboat station. Launch Authorities are the volunteers who receive the first contact from HM Coastguard and also those responsible for making the decision to launch a lifeboat.
Launch Authorities also ensure the crew is tasked appropriately and assist the Lifeboat Operations Manager with the day-to-day management of the station.
Alasdair, Andrew and Graham joined the crew in August as trainee Launch Authorities and began their training as shore crew ensuring equipment is maintained and that the lifeboat is fuelled and in a constant state of readiness to respond.
Alasdair said: “A friend and active crew member encouraged me to get involved. As I have a small yacht on the loch, I’ve spent many hours on the water and am well aware of its unpredictability.
“My appreciation for the RNLI began when I was younger, sailing to France on another small yacht. There were times when no land or other vessels were in sight - just endless sea - and I became acutely aware of how vulnerable we were.
“Knowing the RNLI was there if needed brought a deep sense of reassurance which has stayed with me ever since. Training to become a Launch Authority has been a rewarding journey and I’m proud to have completed the training and to be supporting the crew in their incredibly important role.”
Andrew added: “I visited the Loch Ness lifeboat station to learn more about the crew and the role, after being invited by a friend who was a crew member.
“I was keen to join and get involved at the station. As a retired officer in the RAF, I had some search and rescue experience but working with the lifeboat has been a new experience. I enjoy the RNLI’s teamwork ethos which was also very important in my previous role. I feel really proud to have passed out as a Launch Authority and to be part of Loch Ness RNLI’s One Crew.’
Graham said: “One of the other Launch Authorities who is a friend of mine suggested that I potentially had the right skills to take on the role as a retired police officer.
“The training was very detailed and thorough and went into so much depth that I instantly felt reassured that I could deal with any situation. As a non-swimmer with low confidence in the water, I’m more than happy to remain on land and support the rest of the boat crew as one of the new Launch Authorities.’
The Launch Authority assessment involved an hour-long practical exam with a Coastal Lifeboat Trainer which covered risk assessment, launch decision-making and scenario-based tasks. The passing out of Alasdair, Andrew and Graham takes the tally of volunteer Launch Authorities at Loch Ness RNLI to six.
Joanna Stebbings, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat station, saID: ‘We are delighted that Alasdair, Andrew and Graham have passed out as volunteer Launch Authorities. This is a great achievement and testament to the time and dedication they have put into training for the role.
“Thanks must also go to our other three Launch Authorities and crew members who supported Alasdair, Andrew and Graham in their training and learning.”
