Donate now

Bridlington RNLI celebrate towns new landmark Helm

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI volunteer Sarah Berrey has become the first female helm on the RNLI lifeboat at Bridlington RNLI Lifeboat Station in its 219 year history.

RNLI Volunteer Sarah Berrey.

RNLI/Mike Milner

RNLI Volunteer Sarah Berrey.

Sarah, who has been a volunteer at Bridlington RNLI for over six years, quickly progressed through shore crew, and is now a full crew member on both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats. After many hours of intense training, with theory and practical training, both at Bridlington RNLI and at the RNLI headquarters in Poole, with her competence assessed throughout by a mix of Bridlington and external RNLI assessors.

On Wednesday, July 2024, Sarah took her final assessment and has now qualified as helm of the towns D-Class inshore lifeboat ‘Ernie Wellings’.

Helm Sarah Berrey said ‘I joined Bridlington RNLI over 6 years ago, and have had the privilege of working alongside some fantastic people with a wealth of knowledge to pass onto the next generation of lifeboat volunteers. It is what an individual brings to the station, every person has different strengths, characters, experiences and with the support of your fellow crew you can succeed.

The RNLI, and especially the volunteer crew here at Bridlington RNLI, encourages everyone to learn and develop the skills required, it is this support that has helped me get to be a qualified helm. I believe that anyone can achieve whatever they want to be with the RNLI, all you need is to be able to put in the hours, study and of course have great people behind you. Looking forward, I am now getting ready for when my first tasking comes in, so we can continue to provide assistance to those in need.’

Bridlington Lifeboat Operations Manager, Steve Clarke added, ‘Sarah has worked incredibly hard to ensure she meets the stringent requirements to qualify for the role as helm, it takes many hours of both study and practical exercises to reach the required standard.

During her time with Bridlington RNLI, Sarah has served as a crew member on both the D class and the Shannon class lifeboats and has been involved in many rescues over the time Sarah has been boat crew, Sarah is also the Station Lifeboat Training Coordinator. All this has been achieved in finding the balance between being a parent, being in full time employment as well as volunteering for the RNLI. I have no doubt that Sarah will be a huge asset in the role as Helm, an inspiration to all’.

Note to editors.

Photographs credited to Bridlington RNLI/Mike Milner & Steve Clarke.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Mike Milner, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or call: 07751-054052.

RNLI Volunteer Sarah Berrey.

RNLI/Mike Milner

RNLI Volunteer Sarah Berrey.
RNLI Volunteer Sarah Berrey at the Helm.

RNLI/Mike Milner

RNLI Volunteer Sarah Berrey at the Helm.
RNLI Volunteer on the Helm - Sarah Berrey

RNLI/Mike Milner

RNLI Volunteer on the Helm - Sarah Berrey
Bridlington RNLI volunteers post assessment.

RNLI/Steve Clarke

Bridlington RNLI volunteers post assessment.

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.

Categories