Two new expert volunteers have recently completed their in-service training to join the Guernsey’s St John Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) Team, as helm members.

The extensive training consisted of learning rescue skills such as being able to extract casualties off of rocks and from the sea as well as the emergency launching of an IRB from various locations.

Matt Le Page and Mark Terry have a wealth of sailing and motor boat knowledge and have spent a vast amount of time at sea and bring with them much experience in their area of expertise.

Matt has completed his RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore qualification and the RYA/MCA Powerboat Advanced qualification.  Matt is also a Chief Instructor and School Principal with Fastcraft Sea School and holds a wealth of boating knowledge.

Mark has completed his RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean and Yachtmaster Offshore qualifications and he has twenty years professional experience at sea.

They are now operational IRB helm  members for St John and ready to respond to any incidents in the surrounding waters of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and smaller offshore Islands.  Following his helm training, Matt said “it’s a privilege and some times humbling to be asked to use my skills to assist others at times of distress and difficulty on our coastline.  It’s what makes Island life work.”