UK: Offshore Wind Opportunities Leave RNLI Struggling for Crew Members

Ramsgate lifeboat station is experiencing troubles with the number of crew members responding to calls for help during the daytime.

The main cause of this problem is supposedly local employment opportunities at wind farms off the Kent coast, BBC News reports.

“We have lost a few people to that industry,” Coxwain Ian Cannon stated. He added: “They still want to be involved with the RNLI, but they’re just not in a position to respond to the pager if they’re already 50 miles out at sea when it goes off!”

Cannon said that at the moment they are able to attend to every call for help but that this situation may change in the future.

To help solve the problem, Ramsgate lifeboat station is holding an open evening on 11 July for people interested in volunteering.

Cannon also added that people do not need sailing experience to help out as volunteers, and that only about one in ten lifeboat crew members have some maritime background.

“The only thing you need to get involved at a lifeboat station is a little time, willingness to help and the desire to be part of a wider cause.”

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, July 2, 2012; Image: Vattenfall