Lyme lifeboat helmsman says children need to know how dangerous the water can be

You are never too young to learn about sea safety according to Lyme Regis RNLI chiefs.

So they sent lifeboat helmsman Dave Street along to the St Michael’s pre-school yesterday (Thursday) to tell the children how to take proper precautions while out on the water.

The youngsters, aged three to four, listened intently as he demonstrated the safety equipment the volunteer crew has to wear when the lifeboat, Spirit of Loch Fyne, is launched to answer an emergency call.

Dave, a self-employed builder, who has been a volunteer lifeboat crewman for more than 20 years, said: “I believe it’s very important for children to be told as early as possible how dangerous the sea can be, but also how much fun it is when you take the proper precautions.”

Pre-school deputy Jess Hawkins said: “We are doing a topic all about the sea so we thought it would be good to hear from a lifeboat crewman. The children loved it.”