We are Looe RNLI….With your support, we save lives at sea

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney | RNLI (Sales) Ltd | RNLI Shop (registration number 2202240 and RNLI College Ltd (registration number 7705470) both companies registered in England and Wales at West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1HZ. Images and copyright © RNLI 2021.

We save lives by providing a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service, seasonal lifeguards, water safety education and initiatives and flood rescue response.

Following the tragic death of a popular local teenager Ollie Naismith in a road traffic accident in 2009, Ollie’s parents Maxine and John Naismith spearheaded a fundraising campaign to raise sufficient funds for a new D Class lifeboat. Funding of over £35,000 was raised and the new lifeboat named Ollie Naismith brought into service in 2010 An inshore lifeboat, the D class was introduced to the RNLI fleet in 1994. With a top speed of 25 knots, she can endure 3 hours at sea at this speed on search and rescue missions – a crucial factor when lives at risk. What kind of lifeboat is this? The D class is an inflatable inshore lifeboat, so she’s designed to operate in shallower water. There’s no wheelhouse, so the crew (usually 3) are exposed to the elements at all times. All D class lifeboats are built at the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. How is Ollie Naismith launched? She is taken down to the sea on a trolley with the help of a launching tractor. What sort of rescues is the D class designed for? Inshore lifeboats like this one are ideal for rescues in the surf, close to shore or cliffs, among rocks, or even in caves.

D class: facts and figures

Launch: Trolley or davit Crew: 2-3 Survivor capacity: 5 Length: 5m Max speed: 25 knots

Endurance: 3 hours at maximum speed Engines: 1 x Mariner at 50hp Fuel capacity: 68 litres Construction: Hypalon-coated polyester

IDENTIFICATION All lifeboats have a unique identification number. The first part of the inshore lifeboat’s number indicates the class. All D class lifeboats begin with D and the numerals after the dash refer to the build number, so the first D class inshore lifeboat of the current design to be built was given the number D-600.

POWER A single 50hp outboard engine can be restarted by the crew after a capsize.

NIGHT VISION Many rescues take place at night and can involve being close to dangerous cliffs and man-made structures,or searching caves and crevices. Being able to illuminate the surrounding area with a searchlight and parachute illuminating flares, along with using night-vision equipment, helps keep crew members safe as well as locate those in need of help.

COMMUNICATION Fitted and hand-held VHF radio ensure communication, for example between the crew and Coastguard, remains constant. NAVIGATION Crew use a magnetic compass and an onboard global positioning system (GPS) plotter.

HELM A helm is responsible for the inshore lifeboat and the crew members onboard. They lead the rescue to ensure the lifeboat gets to where it needs to be and that casualties are given the appropriate care. A helm will have many years of experience as a volunteer crew member, and be trained to the highest levels in areas including navigation, search and rescue, casualty care, leadership and team management.

LAUNCH AND RECOVERY Launching by trolley from harbour or beach is made possible by a team of RNLI volunteer shore crew using a tractor.

CASUALTY CARE Medical equipment is stowed in the bow pod, including oxygen and full resuscitation kit, responder bag and multi-purpose ambulance pouch.

D CLASS INSHORE LIFEBOAT

Ollie Naismith

Replacement Cost £78,000