RHYL lifeboat crew are back in training after lockdown.

Lifesavers from Rhyl RNLI were put through their paces last week. Armed with personal protective equipment (PPE), members undertook three launches and recoveries of the all weather lifeboat.

Rhyl Journal:

Crews carried out emergency drills including man overboard, fire fighting and flooding. Picture: Callum Robinson

Callum Robinson, Rhyl Lifeboat mechanic and helmsman on the Inshore Lifeboat, said: "This is one of the riskiest elements of the lifeboat operations so this plays a key role in our volunteers training.

"Even though we have been pretty busy with service calls through lockdown, we have a large amount of training to do on the new all-weather lifeboat with bringing the crew up to speed on the boat.

Rhyl Journal:

Members taking part in a man over board drill using the A frame davit. Picture: Callum Robinson

"Crews carried out emergency drills including man overboard, fire fighting and flooding, as well as this the crews also took part in a short navigation exercise."

A total of 25 members were involved during the day.

To minimise contact, each exercise comprised of different crews on the boat and on the shore.

Rhyl Journal:

Picture: Callum Robinson

Callum added: "Crews had to wear additional PPE throughout the exercise for Covid-19.

"Exercises are extremely important to prevent skill fade for our volunteers.

"Since March we have only been able to meet at the station when there has been a service call. This has meant that some crews have not been able to go out on the lifeboats for some time."

Rhyl Journal:

Crew member and navigator Tara Elliott plotting a safe passage for the All-Weather Lifeboat. Picture: Don Jackson-Wyatt

Online sessions have been running for lifesavers over the past 14-weeks.

Last year, the crew welcomed its new £2.2m lifeboat.

The new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Anthony Kenneth Heard is larger, faster, more manoeuvrable and safer.

Rhyl Journal:

Rhyl’s £2.2million Shannon Class Anthony Kenneth Heard being recovered at the station. Picture: Don Jackson-Wyatt

The community pulled out all the stops to raise £150,000 towards the modern new vessel in less than a year - exceeding all expectations.

Rhyl Journal:

Crew members attach the winch wire to recover the All-Weather Lifeboat. Picture: Don Jackson-Wyatt

"Exercises allow the volunteers to put into practice what they have learnt in a practical environment," Callum said.

"We hope that we can now continue to exercise once a week from now on, alternating between the all-weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboats."