Ilfracombe RNLI welcomes its first female Coxswain

Since joining as a volunteer with RNLI Ilfracombe when she was 18, Sophie has been training incredibly hard making the journey from shore crew, to boat crew, helm on the inshore lifeboat and now coxswain on the all-weather lifeboat in just nine years. It is a remarkable achievement. “It doesn’t seem real yet,” she says. “I think the first time we go out and I’m in command on my own it will feel true.”

While Ilfracombe has long had female shore crew, boat crew (including female helms of the inshore lifeboat) and many working women in key roles behind the scenes in management, fundraising and in the shop, Sophie is the first woman in Ilfracombe to be in command of the all-weather lifeboat as Coxswain. She says: “ I can’t believe I am the first woman coxswain here. I don’t feel anyone treats me any differently as a woman – everyone in the crew is just the same as everyone else. But if me being here encourages just one more woman to follow in my footsteps I would be so proud.”

Sophie is by no means the first person in her family to volunteer on the lifeboats. In fact, she comes from a very strong life-saving tradition. Her grandfather John spent 39 years on the crew and her grandmother Ann got involved with the lifeboat when she married John and took on various roles for twenty years, including Lifeboat Operations Manager and chairing the Management Group.

Sophie’s granddad says “Well done Sophie, Nan and I are so proud of you, first female Coxswain for Ilfracombe!”

Sophie’s uncle David Clemence was Coxswain of the Ilfracombe lifeboat for thirty years and his son David Paul was crew for over twenty years. Her uncle Steven Clemence was helm of the inshore lifeboat. Another uncle, Roy Hobman, was head launcher for ten years and cousin Derek Hobman was a station tractor driver and Launch Authority.

Ilfracombe’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Richard Legg, says: “As a station, we are immensely proud of what Sophie has achieved. Becoming Coxswain takes dedication and determination and Sophie has both in abundance. She has always been a great asset to our team and we are very much looking forward to working with her in her new role as Coxwain.”

Ilfracombe RNLI is currently recruiting for new volunteers, training as Sophie did on the inshore lifeboat. If you are interested in joining us, please phone 01271 863771 or visit bit.ly/IlfracombeILB

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.