Training

Training is carried out in-house by our own RYA instructors; however the crew do undertake additional formal training courses at various locations throughout the United Kingdom. Training sessions are held each month, with short “topic” refresher training sessions held on our Sunday morning maintenance and cleaning session.

The baseline requirement for all crew is to complete First Aid Qualification and develop skills to complete the RYA level 2 powerboat. This level covers topics such as boat design, maintenance, boating skills, rope work, tides, charts, weather, navigation and IRPCS. They then move through the qualifications to Safety Boat, and Advanced Certificates. Further specific training is included to cover the routines applicable to the particular systems operated by Loughor Inshore Rescue. These include search and rescue techniques, search planning, pyrotechnics, advanced first aid, and VHF communication.

Once qualified the learning doesn’t stop and all crew continue to take part in training activities to further enhance their skills and knowledge through an annual training schedule.  Within the crew we have a diverse mixture of members each bringing different skills sets such as diving, kayaking and crew members with sailing experience to add to the knowledge in these areas of water sport.

Finally, all crew hold certificates to operate VHF/DSC equipment, and maintain first aid qualifications.