Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteer achieves double tier 1 success

Since joining the charity in November 2024, Chris has moved from trainee shore crew to a qualified crew member on two of Southend RNLI lifeboat station’s vital rescue assets. The addition of another tier 1 crew member strengthens their ability to respond to emergencies along the Essex coastline and continue the RNLI’s mission to save lives at sea.

The two-assessment passouts ensures that Chris is now fully operational across diverse rescue scenarios. The B-class lifeboat, one of the fastest in the RNLI coastal fleet, requiring high-speed navigation and precise search-and-rescue handling. The hovercraft, a specialized craft essential for Southend’s unforgiving terrain, capable of reaching areas inaccessible to traditional boats, such as the extensive mudflats and shallow waters of the Thames Estuary.

The evaluations were conducted by Southend RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member, trainer and assessor Iain Keenan, who verified Chris’s proficiency in two of the station's most vital rescue assets. Chris demonstrated the dedication and technical skill required to meet the RNLI’s rigorous operational standards.

Chris has shown incredible commitment since joining Southend RNLI. Passing tier 1 for two different vessels simultaneously is a testament to the hard work the volunteers put in behind the scenes to keep the public safe.

Southend RNLI volunteer Chris Nicholls said: ‘It’s been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey since starting as a trainee back in November 2024. The training has pushed me both physically and mentally, but every step of the way has been supported by an amazing crew. The camaraderie, trust, and mutual respect within the team have been key to getting through the tougher moments.

‘Passing my Tier 1 on both the hovercraft and Atlantic 85 is something I’m really proud of, and it’s a testament to the dedication of everyone involved in training and supporting us. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn, develop, and play my part in the crew, knowing we can rely on each other when it matters most’.

Have you got what it takes. Southend RNLI will be recruiting in September this year.

For further information please contact:

• Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
• Jess Curtis RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Notes to Editors:

• Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
• Southend RNLI cover approximately fifteen miles of shore from Shoeburyness to Canvey and beyond.
• For more information, please visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/southend-on-sea-lifeboat-station

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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 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. 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 146,700 lives.

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