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Cowes RNLI first all-female crew respond to shout during Cowes Week
On Wednesday, 5 August, Cowes RNLI crew held their annual ‘Ladies Launch’, an exercise in which all crew involved, from Launch Authority to shore crew and boat crew, are female. This year, the launch was diverted as a nearby sailor was struck by their boat’s boom.
The annual event was held on Wednesday morning, with a scheduled launch on exercise at 9am. 28 women attended the event at the lifeboat station, representing volunteers across shore crew, boat crew, visits and water safety teams, fundraisers, and Bembridge and Yarmouth RNLI stations.
The morning allowed women to get together and share their love for volunteering at the RNLI, and to celebrate each other. Anne Simkin, long-time volunteer in Cowes, was recognised for ten years of service to the lifeboat, receiving her commemorative badge. Anne joined Cowes RNLI in 2016, training as shore crew to begin with. She soon progressed to boat crew, and was only two weeks away from her helm assessment when an unfortunate back injury ended her time on the boat. With her years of experience and training, Anne turned to shore-side roles, and has been one of the station’s launch authorities since 2019, making the vital decision to launch the lifeboat when needed. Anne is due to step down from the lifeboat in September, and will be very much missed.
Jennifer Hastings was also recognised as a long-standing member of the visits team in Cowes. Jen joined the visits team in 2014 and has been a core part of it since. The team will be very sad to lose her as she steps down later this year.
The lifeboat was launched on exercise as scheduled at 9am, with an all-female crew, including volunteers from Bembridge RNLI. At 11.10, as the crew were training in the Solent, the Coastguard requested their assistance with a head injury on a sailing boat one mile north of the moored naval guard ship. The incident was resolved and the crew returned to station at 11.30, washed down the boat and made it ready for service.
Anne Simkin, Launch Authority, said:
“Cowes RNLI station is at the forefront of RNLI efforts to create an inclusive and diverse environment where volunteers of all backgrounds can contribute to saving lives at sea. I am so proud to have been part of that journey for ten years. I will miss the wonderful people who make up our station, and look forward to seeing many more launches like today’s.”
– Ends –
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 Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Sofia Voudouroglou, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.