Falmouth RNLI Crew Member Completes International Training in Finland

Tamara Brookes, an RNLI crew member based in Falmouth, recently underwent training in Finland through an international crew exchange initiative. She was among six individuals selected for the International Maritime Rescue Federation’s lifeboat crew exchange programme. The Finnish Lifeboat Institution hosted Ms Brookes for a five-day period, alongside fellow lifeboat crew members representing Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and Iceland. Reflecting on her time, she stated: “It was an exhilarating, interesting and inspiring experience, so much was fitted in.” The exchange curriculum encompassed training in collaboration, networking, the sharing of experiences and best practices, and hands-on activities conducted both on and off the water. Ms Brookes noted that a significant portion of the learning focused on simulated emergency scenarios, occasionally without prior briefing. She elaborated: “One of these was an exercise involving locating a casualty with a suspected spinal injury and assisting them from their vessel to the shore, including doing some casualty care. “Between us, we just all fell into a role. We communicated very easily and efficiently and, despite being strangers, we all worked very collaboratively – your training really comes out.” Ms Brookes mentioned that she became a trainee crew member with Falmouth RNLI seven years ago, and last December, she qualified as a helm for the station’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.