Hollie answers the call to save lives at sea with Harwich RNLI

The former Harwich and Dovercourt High School pupil has always enjoyed being by the sea, living in Harwich, and had often wondered what it would be like to volunteer with the RNLI. After seeing an appeal to join the charity’s volunteers at Harwich, Hollie (21) thought this would be a great opportunity to get involved, while helping the community at the same time.

Hollie joins with no experience of the sea, but a passion to learn.

Full training is provided in a modular format for all volunteers, starting with the basics on staying safe at sea, continuing right through to managing one of the charity’s lifeboats and crew on rescue missions as a helm or coxswain. Hollie will begin her journey as shore crew, helping to prepare the lifeboats for service, during which time she will undergo training and assessments to prepare her for going afloat.

Hollie is the seventh female on the crew at Harwich RNLI, making up 25% of crew, of which volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Peter Bull is very proud of:

‘Hollie joins one of the busier RNLI coastal stations, launching 117 times in 2021, which will afford her plenty of opportunities to hone her skills. Joining a team headed by the first full-time female coxswain in the charity’s near 200 years, with 25% of volunteers being female, showing despite often misheld perceptions, gender is no barrier to saving lives at sea.'

If, like Hollie, you would like to help make a real difference by saving lives with Harwich RNLI, or would like to know more, please email me at [email protected].’

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact:

Richard Wigley, RNLI Harwich volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07903424698 or [email protected],

Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824518641 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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.