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CloseNew Helly Hansen crew clothing
Wed 15 May 2019
Crew members preparing for a low water launch on exercise with the new Helly Hansen clothing
Launching on exercise on Holkham beach, first time out for our new Helly Hansen gear
Sunday morning's exercise for both Wells lifeboats was all about practicing launch and recovery on Holkham beach, which the crews have to do at low water when there is no tide to launch from or return to Wells harbour. But it marked a first for the station as it's the first time the crew has been able to wear its new Helly Hansen clothing for the all-weather lifeboat.
The RNLI has partnered with Helly Hansen for the new offshore gear, combining its own experience in kitting out lifeboat crews since 1824 with Helly Hansen's long and expert history of keeping seafarers safe and warm since 1877.
The new kit uses lightweight, breathable fabrics and a layering system to keep crew warm and dry. As well as the usual bib trousers, jacket and safety boots, each crew member now has the option of a thermal base layer and a mid-layer body warmer as well as a second lighter jacket that can be worn as a mid-layer or used as an outer layer in warmer weather.
In a departure from previous practice, each crew member now has their own kit chosen and sized especially for them and, for the first time, women crew members have clothing designed for women and cut and sized to fit properly.
There's only a subtle change to the colour though... the new kit is still yellow though it's a more lemony shade and, for the moment at least, is much cleaner and brighter than the old clothing which have served on station for many years.