Aberdyfi RNLI crew member joins RNLI’s Women in Search and Rescue Training Week

The five-day event, which started on 2 March, brought together women from RNLI lifeboat teams across the UK and Ireland to inspire, connect and share their experiences while learning new skills.

Aberdyfi RNLI were thrilled that one of their volunteers attended the event, representing the station and learning more about the women in the SAR (search and rescue) community.

Gemma Chance, who has been volunteering with Aberdyfi RNLI since August 2025 as trainee Inshore Lifeboat Crew, and works as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist said:

‘I’m not sure I can find the right words to explain just how incredible this week has been.

‘I am physically and mentally exhausted, but the RNLI College, the training team and the amazing women I was surrounded by this week made it all the more amazing. It was great to connect and make new friends. I’m very proud of the whole team of women that were with me.

‘And I passed!’

Attendees were put through their paces in the Crew Emergency Procedures course in the RNLI’s sea survival training pool and headed out on a Shannon class lifeboat for command training.

Speakers included the RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes and Chair Janet Legrand as well as Head of Region in the North and East, Rebecca Felton, and first female full-time Coxswain at the RNLI, Di Bush.

Attendees also took part in a mix of networking, confidence and leadership workshops, fitting in with the Give to Gain theme of this year’s International Women’s Day.

Jill Hepburn, RNLI Head of Region in Scotland, 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.

‘Our Women in SAR Training Week is a brilliant example of this in action — bringing women together to share knowledge, build capability and grow as a supportive, skilled community while developing vital lifesaving expertise.

‘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 service of others.’

Regional International Women’s Day events at the RNLI also took place in Swords, Ireland and Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex.

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

-ENDS-

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 Gemma Nock RNLI Aberdyfi volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07875 155669.

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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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