The Newquay RNLI
lifeboats will be first lifeboat station trialling a new scheme to improve
efficiency and sea safety.
Under the proposed Advanced Booking System (ABS) people
are requested to book their emergencies 48 hours in advance stating an
approximate time, location, nature of incident and number of people
involved. This will allow the launching authority to decide in advance which
lifeboat is required and arrange a volunteer crew.
The scheme will allow the lifeboats to be on scene as the
incident happens, reducing the severity of any casualty injuries or damage
to vessels.
Currently the volunteer crew are on standby 24/7, 365
days of the year. ABS will have the added advantage of letting the crew know
on what days they will be required. If the scheme is successful then it will
be expanded to other RNLI lifeboat stations
Gareth Horner, Newquay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager
is keen to stress that all sea users should still carry the appropriate sea
safety equipment:
“Whilst the lifeboat will already be on scene, we will be
unable to assist until the incident has commenced, we are, after all, still
an emergency service.
”I look forward to seeing how well the scheme works when it is introduced on
Sunday 1st April 2007”
