Nikky passes her final test to join the Lyme Regis RNLI crew

Nikky Williams,22, became a probationer crew member in July last year and completed her training last week. Her last training session was to assess her competence in the use of the lifeboat's radar system. Her assessor during the successful session was Will Elwood, the RNLI's divisional traineer.

Nikky, a sailing instructor in Lyme Regis, said:"I am delighted to have finished my training to become a fully qualified member of the lifeboat crew. I really enjoy the challenge and look forward to playing my part when we answer emergency calls."

One of the long-serving members of the Lyme Regis crew, senior helm Tim Edwards, said:"Nikky has done very well in her training, which was helped by her experience as a sailing instructor. She will be a valuable addition to the crew, and we hope her example will encourage more female volunteers to come forward."

Nikky is only the second female member of the Lyme Regis RNLI crew. The first was Grace Wadsworth who joined when she was 17 in 2008 and left after six years to go to university and travel.

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 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 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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