More than 60 women gather for the first South East RNLI Women in SAR event

Bringing together women from a variety of frontline lifeboat station roles in the South East, the day featured a packed programme of afloat exercises, shore-based training and discussion workshops.

The inaugural event provided a space for women to inspire, connect and share their experiences across the region, offering an opportunity to build networks and to develop new skills and was timed just ahead of the charity marking International Women’s Day 2026.

The day opened with a video message from Sarah Psaila of New Zealand Coastguard, who offered an international perspective on women working in maritime search and rescue. She provided insight, encouragement and advice on those progressing within the SAR sector and spoke about how diversity brings strength to this sector.

The morning sessions offered practical training as some crew members headed afloat at Shoreham Harbour station on their Tamar class all-weather lifeboat and D-class inshore lifeboat, training alongside crew from other South East stations and operating on a new stretch of coastline.

At the same time, women from the RNLI training team led a comprehensive programme of shoreside training including casualty recovery, use of kit and search planning.

International executive coach, Susan Carroll (who is also an RNLI volunteer at Newhaven) spoke about building confidence and leadership, followed by volunteer welfare manager, Jane Brophy (from Walmer), who discussed the welfare and support available to crew and stations. One of the Poole RNLI helms, Kitty Norman, then chaired a panel discussion and Q&A with women in command positions from across the South East, offering reflections and experiences about leadership, development and challenges faced within their roles.

Susan Carroll, Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group, said: ‘What a day! Afloat, ashore, in the training room, in honest conversation, I came away reminded of why this work matters and so ready to do more of it.

Women at every level of SAR, led by some of the most impressive people I’ve encountered in my career. I was proud to be invited and I left inspired. If Saturday is anything to go by, the future of women in SAR is in very good hands.’

The day concluded with Jill Hepburn, regional head in Scotland, speaking about the wider Women in SAR movement and asking where we go from here.

With International Women’s Day taking place on Sunday 8 March, regional events such as this in Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex and in Swords, Ireland, continue to celebrate and promote the achievements of women across the RNLI.

Jill said: ‘International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that when we give our time, skills and support to one another, we all gain strength, confidence and opportunity.

‘At the RNLI, we know that creating a more diverse and inclusive organisation makes us stronger and more effective in our mission to save lives at sea.

‘We’re incredibly proud of all our frontline staff and volunteers who continue to give so much in their selfless service of others.’

To find out more about volunteering at the RNLI, including current vacancies, please visit: rnli.org/support-us/volunteer

Notes to editor:

• For information about influential women in the RNLI’s history, please visit: https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2024/may/15-influential-women-of-the-rnli

RNLI media contacts
For more information please, please contact Kate Barkley, Communications Placement – South East on [email protected]. Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].

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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. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and around 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 146,000 lives.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.