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Falmouth RNLI volunteer successfully passes final coxswain assessment

Lifeboats News Release

Crew member Nick Head has become the latest fully qualified coxswain on Falmouth’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox Scott after successfully completing his final assessment recently.

Newly qualified coxswain Nick Head

RNLI/Simon Culliford

Newly qualified coxswain Nick Head by Falmouth’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox Scott

Nick, who joined the RNLI nearly 12 years ago, is also an inshore lifeboat helm and an all-weather lifeboat navigator. He qualified as a navigator in 2021 and almost immediately started his coxswain training. Nick is one of three crew members selected by the station to undertake a coxswains development plan and is the second to pass out, joining Adam West who qualified last November. Unfortunately, both the navigator and coxswain training was disrupted at times by restrictions caused by the pandemic.

Part of the training included two courses at the RNLI College at Poole, a command course and a search and rescue course. Both were predominately practical, out on the water but also included some classroom sessions.

Speaking about the training and qualifying, Nick said:

‘It was hard and intense and you could feel the pressure knowing that the spotlight was on you. However, I did enjoy going through the process and it was good to know that the other crew members supported what you were doing.

‘During the final assessment, the trainer/accessors put you at ease from the beginning. Luckily the conditions were fantastic, it’s obviously not always like that.

‘When I joined the RNLI, I never thought I would be a qualified coxswain nearly 12 years later. Obviously I’ve yet to go out on my service in command but I feel confident with picking the crew and taking the lifeboat afloat. I’m obviously hoping it won’t be anything too serious.’

Falmouth RNLI Coxswain Jonathon Blakeston said:

‘Nick is to be congratulated on what he has achieved, it has taken 18 months of hard work, devotion and commitment to attain this qualification. He joins Adam as part of the next generation of coxswains at Falmouth which is really important for the station’s future.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Simon Culliford, RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971986978 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer [email protected] or 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.

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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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