Dungeness RNLI Lifeboat crew member, Craig Bunney joined the 59m tall ship Stavros S Niarchos on a voyage around the South West of England in April 2011.

The trip has been funded by the Tall Ships Youth Trust, that each year makes a small number of places available for young RNLI crewmembers aged under 25. The voyages offer young people the opportunity to experience life on a tall ship, undertaking all of the tasks required to keep the ship at sea from climbing the 45m masts to scrubbing the decks.

In the case of RNLI crew these trips allow the volunteer crew members the opportunity to put their first class RNLI training to another use, while developing transferable skills that will prepare them for their usual role of crewing the lifeboat.

Crew member Craig age 22, applied last year to the Tall Ships Trust, and was awarded a place on a week long voyage between Brixham and Swansea in April.

He was delighted when the letter arrived informing him of a place. Craig said 'I was stunned when I heard I had been fortunate enough to be given a place on a voyage on a tall ship. I have only recently become a member of the crew on Dungeness lifeboat and have been training every week ever since. This trip allowed me to put some of that RNLI training to good use'

Coxswain Stuart Adams is delighted that a Dungeness crew member has been selected. He said: 'The RNLI has some 230 stations around the UK and every crewmember from each station has been given the opportunity to apply. This trip will be a unique opportunity for Craig to learn about life on a tall ship and to utilise the training he has received from the RNLI"

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Judith Richardson, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07925 576569 or 01797 320062 - email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales No: 209603

Websites:

www.dungenesslifeboat.org.uk
www.rnli.org.uk
www.tallships.org