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I went on the tour with my family and two children, it was really enjoyable and great to see all the hard work involved in training the rnli volunteers and building the lifeboats. The tour guides are very knowledgeable, we learnt a lot and took park in a fantastic simulator which was very like real life, where you got a chance to drive the lifeboat, and also saw the pool where they train. Kids loved it, adults loved it, would thoroughly recommend, and all money goes to supporting the rnli. Great job well done to all involved!…
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Date of experience: February 2020
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Response from stephen b, Events Team at RNLI College Discovery Tour
Responded 9 Mar 2020
Hi lisafA7731TK, Thanks for your great feedback, sounds like your family had a brilliant day out with us! Our volunteers are extremely knowledgeable and like the vast majority of our organisation, are all volunteers. We hope to see you and your family beck sometime soon. Many thanks, Steve
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We were not sure what to expect when we booked the tour but figured the money was going to a good cause and it would be quite interesting. Arrived early (good job we did, car parking is limited, so plan ahead in case it is full) and went in for a coffee first. Good coffee in the Slipway Bar and fab views over the boats and the Twin Sails bridge. To our surprise we were the only 2 on the tour ( although a wet and windy Monday at the very start of March is probably not counted as tourist season on reflection!). The guide was knowledgeable, interesting and careful to ensure we were comfortable and happy at every stage of the tour. The best bit for me was going into the balcony of the swimming pool where a team was being trained on how to right a capsized lifeboat in the dark. Really impressive! For my husband the best bit was having a go on the lifeboat simulator - actually piloting the boat out on a rescue! I suspect we had more opportunity to have a play because it was quiet and obviously, because students were not being trained the equipment was available. Even if the simulator was not available, we agreed it was a good value and interesting tour.…
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Date of experience: March 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Response from stephen b, Events Team at RNLI College Discovery Tour
Responded 9 Mar 2020
Hi sarahwC4308TF, Thank you for your great review, and i'm happy to hear that you got a good go on our simulator! Our Sea Survival Pool is where we recreate treacherous conditions to train our volunteer crew for sea survival skills. Along with our simulator, this allows us to train in a safe and controlled environment. We hope to welcome you back in the future. Many thanks, Steve
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Had a very good tour of the RLNI college. Michael the tour guide was very friendly and gave a good insight into the history of the RNLI and the training facilities. After the tour we had a very nice light lunch in the college bar. I highly recommend a visit.
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Date of experience: February 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Response from stephen b, Events Team at RNLI College Discovery Tour
Responded 9 Mar 2020
Hi 778marcusd, Thank you for your positive review and it's great to hear you made use of our onsite catering facilities. Please do visit us again. Many thanks, Steve
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+1
While visiting Poole we have thought about visiting the life boat college. So as we were planning on visiting the area we looked up what we needed to do, which was to email the college, Rachael promptly sent us the details & were booked on to our desired tour. The tours are at 11am in the morning & last around 90 minutes & are £7.50 which we paid for on arrival. We were advised to park at the adjacent Asda car park which is free for 3 hours & only 2 minutes walk to the college. On arrival we checked in & paid our money then looked around the small shop there selling RNLI related items then waited a few minutes for our guide to arrive. When Michael arrived he gave a short h&s briefing & explained some of the history of the organisation. We then went outside where some of the boats were moored & explained what the numbers mean on the boat (the length in metres & the number made) he also explained about the college & its facilities. We then went in & watched a short video on some of the water based training that they do prior to going in to see the Poole where they practice a lot of the water based life saving skills. We then went into a Severn class simulator where I helmed the lifeboat to a major rescue just outside Dover Harbour which was very realistic & gave you an insight of what the crews can face when going out to sea & how to control the boat. We then had a short tour of some of the other facilities there such as the bar & restaurant which looked very good & overlooked the water & is open to the public & helps pay for the running of the facilities there are also bedrooms you can stay in & function rooms you can hire for functions. We then ended up back at the entrance & the shop. Michael was a excellent & very knowledgeable tour guide & should be paid at least 10 times more than he currently is which will be 0 as he is a volunteer like the vast majority of the people who work for the RNLI so please give generously. …
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Date of experience: February 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Response from stephen b, Events Team at RNLI College Discovery Tour
Responded 9 Mar 2020
Hi Bryan P, Thank you for your great review, and it sounds like you had a fantastic experience with us from start to finish! I will be sure to pass your thanks on the Rachael, as well as Michael who is, as you said, a volunteer. We run tours of our All-weather Lifeboat Centre, which are also managed by volunteers. Thank you again for helping save lives at sea, and we hope to welcome you back some day. Many thanks, Steve
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+1
Terrific place to visit tour, meal, bar, all aspects. Food reasonable prices and view of water great.
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Date of experience: February 2020
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Response from stephen b, Events Team at RNLI College Discovery Tour
Responded 9 Mar 2020
Hi Jude-skeggy, Thank you for your review after attending our tour. We're delighted that you had an enjoyable trip despite the weather. We are definitely a popular wet weather option! We hope to welcome you back again sometime soon. Many thanks, Steve
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