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First ever female helm at New Brighton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Fliss Green made history at New Brighton RNLI today (Tuesday 10 September) by becoming the first female helm since the opening of the station in 1863.

Fliss is in the foreground in RNLI high vis jacket, smiling at the camera. In soft focus behind can be seen the RNLI flag and the carriage for the boat.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Fliss Green becomes New Brighton RNLI's first ever female helm

Conditions were less than favourable for Fliss’ final pass out to determine her helm status on board New Brighton’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, with high winds and tides making the River Mersey tricky to navigate. But Fliss, who has been a volunteer at station since early 2022, showed that she is ready for all weathers as she excelled in her assessment.

With a selected crew of experienced volunteers, alongside an RNLI assessor, Fliss headed out in the wind and rain to face the assessment process. It lasted several hours and included a number of scenario-based exercises testing her awareness of policy and procedure, as well as her abilities in boat handling and crew management.

The helm of an Atlantic 85 lifeboat is responsible for the safety of the crew onboard and is in command of everything that happens during a rescue for the lifeboat. The B class lifeboat is one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet and as a helm in New Brighton, Fliss will use it to oversee a busy area running the length and breadth of the River Mersey from Runcorn out into the Irish Sea. The Mersey is still used as a busy shipping channel, as well as being a popular spot for tourists and leisure users, meaning the range of shouts Fliss will face during her tenure will be varied indeed.

There has been an RNLI station in New Brighton since 1863, and the station has been awarded 48 medals for gallantry in that time. Fliss is the first female helm ever at station, something which she is very proud of - Fliss said:

‘It’s a huge honour and privilege to be the first woman to become a helm at New Brighton. We’re a busy station and you never know what you’ll get tasked to here.

'I have to say a massive thank you to the crew that came out with me today and did an amazing job, and to all those at station who have helped me to this point. I hope that my progress here can serve as an example to all current and future female crew at New Brighton, and that the station can celebrate more female helms to come!’

Notes to Editors:

New Brighton RNLI was established in 1863 in the bustling seaside resort of New Brighton, on the northeast corner of the Wirral peninsula. They cover the River Mersey and out into the Irish Sea.

The station is home to a B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet. The crews at New Brighton have been presented with a remarkable 48 awards for gallantry to date.

Connor Wray – Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO)

07756553092

[email protected]

Fliss is on board the atlantic-85 lifeboat in the foreground, bringing it in to recover. Over her right shoulder a crew member can be seen smiling and giving a big thumbs up to the camera, out of sight of Fliss.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Fliss brings the boat in for recovery, with some crew already guessing the outcome of the assessment!
Fliss is sat aboard the Atlantic-85 lifeboat, in the carriage at the boathouse. In the foreground can be seen the large 'RNLI' lettering the boat bears. Fliss is smiling.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Fliss poses for celebratory photos on board the Atlantic-85 she will be helm of.
RNLI teddy bear in pink t-shirt sits on the helm seat on board the Atlantic-85 lifeboat.

RNLI/Connor Wray

The volunteer shop staff had their own special tribute to Fliss' achievement!
Fliss sits on board the Atlantic-85 lifeboat smiling. The large 'RNLI' lettering can be seen in the foreground. Carriage and part of the flag in the background.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Fliss will now turn her attentions to her first shout!
A photo from the shoreside shows the Atlantic-85 speeding past from left to right. In the background can be seen some warehouses and a wind turbine.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Fliss out on assessment in tricky conditions

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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