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St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat welcomes returning helm

Lifeboats News Release

After a five-year break, volunteer lifeboat crew member Kit Watkins has returned to the station and passed out for a second time as a D-Class helm.

Three RNLI lifeboat crew in yellow and black dry-suits with orange D-class lifeboat in the foreground.

RNLI/St Agnes

Newly qualified RNLI lifeboat helm, Kit Watkins (right) with trainer-assessor Carl Beardmore (centre) and helm Dan Grant (left)

Mr. Watkins originally joined the volunteer crew at St Agnes RNLI when he was just 17 years old. Working his way through the rigorous training young Kit eventually became one of the station’s regular helms, taking command of the D-Class inshore lifeboat on multiple missions. With increasing demands of a young family and work however, Kit decided to step down from the crew in 2018 after 17 years continuous service.

The draw of lifeboat camaraderie is strong though and now, having rejoined the crew last year, Kit has passed his helm qualification once again. After confirmation of his passing out by RNLI trainer-assessor Carl Beardmore, Kit said, “Now that my children are older, and I have more time to properly commit to training I am delighted to be part of the crew and at the helm again.”

When asked if much had changed since he was last in command he added,

“The RNLI is constantly updating regulations and training in line with the best and safest search and rescue practices. There were some details that were new to me and some that were still familiar, but you never forget the feeling of being part of the crew. It’s great to be back.”

For more information about how to volunteer with your nearest RNLI lifeboat station visit https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Tom Knight, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07538 418391 [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 over 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 142,200 lives.

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.