Outdoor instructor Tatty, who joined Dart as part of the crew in 2021, is now qualified to helm the D class inshore lifeboat after passing a rigorous training course.
Tatty spends much of her working life on the water teaching paddleboarding, kayaking, and coasteering as well as guiding swimming and walking tours around Devon and Cornwall. She is also a keen rower with Dart Gig Club.
'It's a real privilege to pass the assessment and qualify as helm,' said Tatty.
'It involves a lot of training and studying to get to this point - it's a big deal to take responsibility for the boat and the crew - and I couldn't have done it without the support from all the crew at the station and the trainers at the RNLI College in Poole.
'I was also really motivated after being invited to attend a "Women in Search & Rescue" event earlier in the year where I met some inspirational female helms who were making waves before me.
'It's now my turn to become a role model and hopefully inspire more young people, especially women, to join the crew in the future. I love living by the water and am lucky to work, play and volunteer on it - I'm proud to be part of a team that is helping to save lives at sea.'
Tatty has taken part in many shouts during her time with Dart RNLI, including receiving a letter of recognition from Head of South West region for 'demonstration of confidence and courage' for swimming to a casualty vessel to set up a tow when it was too shallow to get the lifeboat any closer. The rescue also highlighted the 'textbook teamwork, co-operation, and determination of the crew to see the job through' as the decisions of the helm and actions of the crew together are key to saving lives at sea.
'You never know what to expect as a volunteer with Dart,' added Tatty. 'It's an important part of the community. And with the new boat house under construction, it's a great time to be involved and help the team support such a worthy cause.'
RNLI Media Contacts For more information, contact Dart Lifeboat Press Officer, Dominic Hart on 07767 764 144. Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Press Office on
[email protected] or 01202336789.
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.
