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New recruits qualify to save lives at sea at Cowes RNLI Station

Lifeboats News Release

January brings new beginnings, and for five Cowes locals, this means starting their time as fully qualified shore crew at Cowes RNLI Station.

RNLI/Sofia Voudouroglou

Newly qualified shore crew at Cowes RNLI Station. Left to right: Kris, Simon, Cherie, Andrew and Jay

Kris, Simon, Cherie, Andrew and Jay have spent the last few months undertaking their training and are now fully qualified to respond to both exercises and shouts.

Shore crew prepare the boat for launch and are essential to the crew's safety and ability to conduct rescues. Once they pass their shore crew assessment, they are on call and ready to respond to their pager when needed. Fully qualified shore crew are also eligible to be considered for a position on the lifeboat’s afloat crew, if and when vacancies arise.

Cherie Whiteley, 58, passed her shore crew assessment with Cowes RNLI Station this month. Cherie said:

“As someone who spends a lot of time on the water, I’ve seen first hand the amazing work done by the RNLI and I really wanted to give something back to this invaluable organisation. The last few months of training have been demanding but very fulfilling, and I look forward to responding to my first shout as a fully qualified member of the shore crew.”

A second cohort of volunteer shore crew will now begin their training, hoping to qualify soon.

John Mason, who has trained new recruits at Cowes RNLI station since 2016, said:

“Training is a vital part of what we do, ensuring we are always ready to save lives at sea, and I am always impressed by the level of professionalism exhibited by our volunteer crew. I am very proud of our newly qualified shore crew, and I am sure our new recruits will show the same level of professionalism and dedication.”


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RNLI media contacts

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer 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 142,700 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.


About Cowes RNLI Station

Cowes Lifeboat Station is converted from a former HM Customs Watch House, the rear of which is 300 years old. It looks out onto one of the world’s busiest shipping waterways and carries out a range of interesting services every year. It is the only station to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II.


RNLI/Sofia Voudouroglou

Shore crew undertake both practical and theory training to pass their 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.

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