The mothers that help save lives at sea

The station invited its volunteers who are mothers, as well mothers of volunteers, to include their photos in a celebratory collage. Those pictured include shore crew and boat crew, as well as station management.

Penny Jeffcoate, trainee navigator, is pictured here with her son, Ben. Having spent her life on the water, sailing, racing and working as a maritime engineer, Penny joined the RNLI in 2019, hoping to bring any expertise she had towards helping others at sea.

Penny said: “When I had my son in 2021 I naturally had to stop going to sea for a while, but still managed to contribute through shore crew and plant duties, even at 8 months pregnant.

I love being at sea and love being a mother so I'm so thankful to Cowes RNLI station, who supports me to be able to get back out to doing what I love and cherish. The crew were a huge support to me when I was taking months off at a time during multiple rounds of IVF. They have even occasionally picked up my son from nursery, when we are called out to a rescue and my husband is the only helm on service and I'm the only trainee navigator!

I look forward to sharing this with my son, who attended his first mayday in the Solent at just 23 months, though it’ll be a few more years before he can do it with the blue light on…”

Jack Banks, partner to Penny and dad to Ben, volunteers on Cowes lifeboat as a helm. He is pictured below with his mum, Sue.

Ben said “When I'm big I'll go on the lifeboat with dad and mum too.”

Olivia Manser joined Cowes RNLI Station in 2023. She is pictured here with her daughter, Thora, who was 10 months old at the time.

Olivia said: “Becoming a mother was actually what allowed me to join the RNLI – previously I’d been moving around for work and travelling a lot, but I naturally ended up being a little bit more home-bound after I had Thora! It’s been so nice to be involved in the RNLI and the Cowes community, and I’m proud to be able to show Thora the lifeboat. I’m sure she’d say she was proud of me if she could! With a young toddler around, I couldn’t volunteer without the support of my partner, allowing me to leave the house whenever the pager goes off. I’ve even left Thora with some mum pals who stuck around to watch the lifeboat being launched – thanks gang, and happy Mother’s day to you all, and to my own mum.”

RNLI crew work on a volunteer basis, attending training and responding to callouts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. RNLI volunteers leave their families, work and homes at a moment’s notice to head out to sea. From lifeboat and shore crew members, to committee, fundraiser, water safety and shop volunteers as well as other vital roles, the crew’s dedication and the support of their families and friends is vital in achieving the RNLI’s mission to save lives at sea.

– Ends –

RNLI media contacts
Sofia Voudouroglou, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Deputy Press Officer 07594051372/ [email protected]
George Chastney, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Press Officer 07530 254052/ [email protected]
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.

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, X, TikTok 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.