Meet the women volunteering on Stonehaven RNLI’s shore and boat crew.

At present there are four women volunteering as crew at Stonehaven RNLI, both as shore and boat crew. From differing backgrounds – environmental consultancy, administration, and healthcare – each bring with them great skills and experiences.

Suzanne has been a valuable part of the Stonehaven RNLI shore crew for a number of years now. Once she completed all shore crew competency training, she decided she wanted to take on more responsibilities.

Her next step was to train to be one of the station tractor drivers. Passing the tractor driver competencies with flying colours Suzanne became the station’s first female tractor driver and the first in Scotland to pass out on the RNLI new competency framework. Never one to rest on her laurels, Suzanne has since progressed to train and pass out as a Launch Authority for the station, adding yet another string to her bow.

'I love the seas,' says Suzanne, 'so volunteering with the RNLI just made sense, as it combined this with helping people and giving something back to the community. It’s also given me the opportunity to learn new skills. It’s great being part of the crew, and we all work well as a team when called out on a tasking.'

Boat crew volunteer Caroline has also been with Stonehaven RNLI for several years, having responded to a social media advert for a volunteer administrator for the station. Having often seen the crew out on the water, she had long admired their dedication. Working in administration she knew she had the skills to provide the support the station required. Part of her role meant she attended regular station meetings and her enthusiasm and active involvement led the crew to encourage her to join as volunteer operational crew.

After completing her shore crew training, Caroline decided to continue to boat crew training. She has since passed out as Tier 1 crew and is working toward becoming Tier 2 competent, which involves more advanced competencies and skills.

Caroline says, 'Joining the RNLI and being part of the crew has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Having started out with no maritime experience, the RNLI has equipped me with the training, skills and confidence to succeed within my role. Knowing that I can help make a difference in someone's time of need, makes it truly worthwhile. Last year I was fortunate enough to be selected to attend the Women in SAR Training Week at the RNLI’s first-class facilities in Poole. It was a great opportunity to spend a week meeting so many incredible, inspirational women from various operational roles and to be able to connect, share experiences and train alongside them.'

Relative newbies Chelsea and Abbie both responded to a volunteer crew recruitment drive by Stonehaven RNLI in spring 2025.

Chelsea is currently a member of the shore crew team and looking at moving onto boat crew training. She was looking for a volunteering role that would match her passion for helping people, when she spotted the recruitment campaign. 'The crew are really friendly and keen to share their knowledge and experience. Training with them is an exciting challenge and I’m looking forward to continuing my RNLI journey.'

Abbie also joined just under a year ago, starting as shore crew, and is currently embarking on her boat crew training after passing all her shore crew competency training. 'The RNLI provides all the training you need to be shore and boat crew, you just have to get stuck in.'

Common to all four of these women is that they were looking for a way to give back to the coastal communities they work and live in. Volunteering with the RNLI has proven to be a great fit.

Regardless of your background, life or work experiences you can be a volunteer in the RNLI. Be that as an administrator, press or social media officer, fundraiser, retail shop volunteer, tractor driver, shore and boat crew, launch authority or station manager there can be a role for you. The RNLI gives volunteers the opportunity to learn a wealth of new skills, providing all the training needed to carry out roles safely and successfully.

Notes to editors

· Stonehaven RNLI was re-established in 2013 with the placing on service of a B-Class Atlantic 75. The current Inshore lifeboat is an Atlantic 85 B-Class the ‘Jamie Hunter’

· On 25th February 2024- Stonehaven RNLI commemorated the 150th Anniversary of the tragedy of the 1874 Stonehaven lifeboat disaster

· Stonehaven RNLI’s new station building was officially opened 6^th September 2025

RNLI media contacts

Anna Carlton, Lifeboat Press Officer for Stonehaven RNLI, 07530 338562, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 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 142,200 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.