Young Cromer RNLI volunteer takes important step in lifesaving journey

Robyn Clarke who joined the station in July 2024 as soon as she was old enough to volunteer, is currently a trainee crew member on both the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) and inshore lifeboat (ILB). She also serves as shore crew and has recently passed out as shore crew on the all-weather lifeboat.

Robyn’s connection to the sea runs deep. Coming from a family of fishermen, she has long been interested in the work of the RNLI and the role it plays in helping those in difficulty at sea. Her Dad Stuart, is a current crew member at the station where he has volunteered for a number of years.

Speaking about her volunteering journey, Robyn said: 'I joined as soon as I was old enough because I’ve always had an interest in the RNLI and what they do. Growing up in a family of fishermen, the sea has always been a big part of my life and I’ve seen first-hand how important the RNLI is to coastal communities.

'When my father started volunteering with the RNLI, it really cemented the idea that I wanted to join too. He’s always been a big inspiration to me and seeing his commitment encouraged me to get involved.

'Passing out as ILB crew is a big step for me personally. It means I’m one step closer to my goal of becoming a navigator on both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats. Going forward, I’m looking forward to continuing my training on both boats and developing my skills so that I can achieve that ambition in the future.'

Regarding the current volunteering opportunities at the station Robyn said: 'I joined as soon as I was old enough and I’ve never looked back. Every training session helps build your confidence and teaches you new skills, and it’s incredibly rewarding knowing that one day those skills could help save someone’s life. If you’re thinking about volunteering, I’d definitely encourage you to give it a go. You’ll be supported every step of the way and become part of a fantastic team.'

Cromer Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Redmond praised Robyn’s commitment and enthusiasm: 'It has been a pleasure to watch Robyn develop since joining the station. She came to us with a genuine passion for the RNLI and a strong connection to the sea, and she has thrown herself into every aspect of training and station life.

'To join as soon as she was eligible and make such excellent progress in a relatively short space of time is a real credit to her. Robyn has shown great determination and maturity, and her recent ILB crew pass-out, alongside her all-weather lifeboat shore crew qualification, are significant achievements. We are proud to have her as part of the crew and look forward to seeing her continue to develop towards her goal of becoming a navigator.'

Key facts about Cromer RNLI

The Cromer Lifeboat Station was established in 1804 and was not taken over by the Institution from the Norfolk Shipwreck Association until 1857. Since 1923 there have been two lifeboats at Cromer, and currently there is a D Class inshore boat and Tamar all-weather lifeboat. The outstanding figure in the history of Cromer is Henry George Blogg who became a member of the Cromer crew in 1894 at the age of 18. He was coxswain from 1909-1947. During his 53 years as a lifeboat crew member, the Cromer lifeboats had been on service 387 times and rescued 873 lives. His record is without equal in the history of the Institution. No lifeboat crew member has received so many decorations for gallantry. Cromer RNLI lifeboat station was founded in 1804 and became part of the RNLI in 1824, and in that time its crews have launched the lifeboats 1435 times and saved 1294 lives.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Clare Stagg, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [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.