Members of a national maritime charity, the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS), have been awarded an advanced safety boat qualification.

The MVS is a maritime charity with a focus on nautical training and community service.

It operates 26 units across the UK coastline and inland waterways, using a fleet of small vessels to train members in seamanship, engineering and communication.

The Northumbria Unit, located at St Peter’s Marina in Newcastle and Kielder Water in Northumberland, recently facilitated the completion of a RYA Safety Boat qualification for two of its members - Angela Carrington and Barry Coffell.

Both members had to demonstrate proficiency in recovery of casualties from the water and righting/recovering/towing various sized crafts from windsurfers to larger sailing vessels during the two-day assessment.

Training forms the core of the MVS, instructing members in nautical skills leading to RYA qualifications, which are then applied for local and in some instances, national community service.

MVS units have previously offered assistance at events such as the Tall Ships Race, International Festival of the Sea, the Clipper Race and the 2012 Olympics.

The MVS operates a 4.5 metre rigid inflatable boat and a 9-metre patrol boat on the Tyne and crew Kielder Water Sailing Club’s vessels while on duty.

Head of unit, David Bourn, spoke proudly of the achievement.

He said: "Angela and Barry have put a lot of work into gaining this qualification which will enable the unit to provide safety cover for a wide range of maritime events in our area of operation which stretches from Berwick to the Tees.

"We are very proud of their achievement."