Donate now

Two of Happisburgh RNLI's volunteers take the helm

Lifeboats News Release

Rachael Kirkham has been appointed the new Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) for Happisburgh Lifeboat Station.

Rachael Kirkham New LOM with Stations Atlantic 85

RNLI/Philip Smith

Rachael Kirkham New LOM with Stations Atlantic 85

Rachael has been a volunteer at Happisburgh since 2019 when she joined the team as the Administration Officer; she enjoyed being part of the team so much she also became a member of the Shore Crew. Rachael comes with lots of experience of running seagoing groups as she was in the Royal Navy for 22 years.

The whole Team are pleased that Rachael has taken on the role of LOM and are looking forward to working and supporting her in this role.

Rachael said: ‘I’m glad to have the support of the station and I'm looking forward to taking it into the future.'

Chris Risby has passed out as Helm of the station’s D class Lifeboat, Russell Pickering. Chris joined the Station in 2018 as Shore Crew then progressed to boat crew and in the past year he has been completing his helm plan; on the 28 March he had his final pass-out and came through with flying colours.

Chris said: ‘I was very emotional when I heard I was successful, I wish to thank the whole crew because I wouldn’t have been able to have done this without their help; they are all a huge part of this achievement and I appreciate your dedication and moral support.

'I’m not forgetting my wife Lauren and family who have put up with so much over the past year. We (the RNLI) are one and so excited for our future.'

If anyone is interested in volunteering at Happisburgh Lifeboat Station the team is always looking for new volunteers to carry out various roles; Crew, Shore Crew, shop, fundraising and not forgetting the Community Water Safety Team. Full training will be given for all these roles.

Please contact the station in the first instance at: [email protected]

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer, Philip Smith on: 07766007936 or email: [email protected]


Chris Risby New Helm with Stations D Class Russell Pickering

RNLI/Philip Smith

Chris Risby New Helm with Stations D Class Russell Pickering
Chris Risby New Helm L with Rachael Kirkham New LOM R

RNLI/Philip Smith

Chris Risby New Helm L with Rachael Kirkham New LOM R

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, Twitter 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.