Poignant Women in SAR training trip for new Dunbar RNLI recruit

Nicola Allen, Laura Kirkham and Fiona Kibby passed a two-day Crew Emergency Procedures course where they learned and demonstrated vital sea survival skills. They joined around 80 women from across the UK and Ireland for a number of courses and events organised by the RNLI’s Women in Search and Rescue (SAR) Training Week.

For Nicola, 52, who initially joined Dunbar RNLI as shore crew last June, it was a poignant trip, as she had been due to be joined by Kerry Gentle, who was also making the transition to lifeboat crew when she died suddenly days before Christmas.

Nicola, a mum-of-two who works as an accounts assistant, said: ‘We had been looking forward to going to Poole together and I know she would have loved it. When I passed there were tears.’

For Nicola, completing the course was the latest step in fulfilling a dream by joining the crew. She said: ‘As a sea kayaker, I’ve always felt we are very lucky to have the RNLI if things go wrong. I wanted to join for years but couldn’t due to other commitments. I’m a bit of an RNLI fan and the Trent (the all-weather John Neville Taylor) is my favourite Dunbar boat. With my boys becoming older teenagers, I had more time on my hands. Joining the RNLI has given me a new sense of purpose and I really enjoy doing something useful with my time.

‘I love being part of a team that really cares about what it’s doing. I found it daunting initially as there’s a lot to learn but the crew are brilliant. Everyone shares their knowledge to help less experienced crew learn. Joining the afloat crew is a huge dream come true, I have to pinch myself that I’m actually out there on my favourite boat. The training can be hard work but I always come off the boat having learnt something new to build on next time.’

The week’s all-women courses were part of a five-day Women in SAR event which brought volunteers together to inspire, connect and share their experiences while learning new skills.

Nicola said: ‘The guys on the crew are great but it’s not uncommon to be the only woman on the boat. It was incredibly beneficial to swap stories and experiences with other women, and make lots of new, like-minded friends.’

After Nicola’s course at the start of the week, it was the turn of paramedic Laura – Dunbar’s longest serving female crew member and the station’s first newly-trained female D class helm – and Fiona, the first female launch authority to join the crew and Dunbar’s Harbour Master, to complete the same CEP course.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrated annually on 8 March to commemorate women's achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and drive action for gender parity. This year's theme, ‘Give To Gain’, recognises that when organisations invest in women's safety, rights and leadership, societies as a whole benefit.

Notes to editors

With photos

· Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth.

· Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.

· It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.

· A file photo of Dunbar’s lifeboats can be viewed here.

RNLI media contacts

Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Alexander Williams, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [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 (available 24 hours) 01202 336789 [email protected]

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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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.