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After responding to an email from RNLI Headquarters in Poole earlier in the year asking for volunteers aged between 17 and 25, Walmer crew member Kelsey Coe joined others from Bembridge, Whitby, Poole, Penarth and Padstow, along with volunteer lifeguards from Newquay and Bude aboard the 22m Challenger 1 on the Trinity House sponsored Tall Ships Youth Training Voyage.

The trip covered a 172 nautical mile round trip along the south coast from Portsmouth via Cowes, Poole and Weymouth. It offered the young people the opportunity to gain experience and to sample life aboard a sea-going vessel. The volunteers were split into port and starboard watches and took it in turns to cook and clean.

Speaking on her return Kelsey said, 'The trip was a valuable experience, allowing me the opportunity to learn new skills and put into practice those learned on the station.'

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station 01304 374475, 07906 623037 [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 620 7426, 07785 296252, [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.