BY KEN HARCOMBE -Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Fleetwood RNLI
WE ARE THE RNLI THE CHARITY THAT SAVES LIVES AT SEA The RNLI is privileged to attract volunteers who are willing to commit to the intensive training required to become a member of the crew, both afloat and ashore. Whilst traditionally, the large majority of crew were male, who predominately hailed from the fishing industry, today it’s a very different story.
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pproximately 10% of the RNLI’s current 8,700 lifeboat and shore crew volunteers are female. They show the same commitment as their male counterparts and are an equally important asset to the search and rescue community.
proceedings for some time, decided to apply herself to become a volunteer, despite having no maritime background. When she visited the station to discuss joining as crew, it was made clear to her the commitment that was expected. From the start, Hayley was asked to consider and clarify how she would balance her family life and that of a lifesaving organisation, where minutes counted. She admits to suddenly realising the seriousness of what she was embarking on. But Hayley was determined to continue and with support from her family, her role at Blackpool RNLI, developed.
Today, our female volunteers are important crew members, committing to the intensive training to become Helms, Mechanics and Coxswains. At Fleetwood RNLI, we now have two female Helms on the in-shore lifeboat Harbet and they take the lead in call-outs.
Hayley was expected to train as Shore Crew for the first 12 months, which all new recruits are expected to fulfil. This role gave her an understanding of how important it is to work as a team, before she started her training on the town’s D class in-shore lifeboat. After a few months, she was ready for launching on a call-out. Over three years later, she regularly turns up at the lifeboat station, with partner Shaun, another volunteer at Blackpool RNLI, when her pager bursts into life. Obviously, her family support is key for this to be possible.
One mum volunteering in the Lancashire RNLI team, is Hayley Melling at Blackpool RNLI. There are many reasons why our volunteers are inspired to join the RNLI. For Hayley, it was her young daughter, Nevaeh, now aged 10. Three years ago, Nevaeh’s vision was clear; to be a RNLI volunteer. She insisted on the family wandering down to the promenade each Wednesday evening to watch the Blackpool crew launch on exercise. The family were not allowed to leave until Nevaeh had seen the volunteers leave the station in their lifeboats.
Hayley recalls her first call-out;- the nervousness when the pager went off, turning up at the lifeboat station and seeing the crews launch quickly and professionally. It was clear, this was a life-or-death situation and she saw at first hand, how the training enabled her colleagues to work safely and swiftly, ensuring the casualty was provided with every chance of survival. The casualty did indeed survive and she knew then, there was no going back, this was what she wanted to do. She wanted to help save lives at sea.
Hayley, a Pre-School Leader at Thames School in Blackpool, having watched the
Hayley was the first lifeboat crew female volunteer at Blackpool and she is a vital
As Mother’s Day approaches, I thought it appropriate to shine the spotlight on our female crew.
Hayley Melling ©Richard Oughton.
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member of the team. She has since been joined by Lorraine, who is in training with the Shore Crew at present, but Hayley hopes other ladies will join her down at the lifeboat station and realise just how rewarding her role with the RNLI is. She also hopes one day, to join the other 52 female Helm’s on the RNLI’s in-shore lifeboat fleet. So, how does daughter Nevaeh feel about her mum being a lifeboat volunteer and living her dream? Well, it’s fair to say, she’s incredibly proud of her mum and Hayley can’t wait for Nevaeh to be old enough to join her down at the station. Ezra, Hayley’s five-year-old son, has yet to realise how important his mum’s role is in the community, but I’m certain, in time, he’ll be just as proud as his sister, Nevaeh. When mothers like Hayley respond to call-outs, they have no time to think about what lies ahead. Often, the volunteer crew have little information about the incident they are about to launch to. Once launched and there is clarity about the situation, they then prepare for the worse, whilst hoping for the best and as part of a team, the training ensures everybody knows what their particular responsibilities are, once they arrive on scene. Working closely with friends and colleagues, and with adrenalin kicking in, the volunteers have little time to be anxious or worried. So, spare a thought for mothers like Kirsty Randles. Kirsty, a primary school teacher at Haweside Academy, Blackpool, is married to Gary and mother to son, Daryl. Fleetwood RNLI are lucky to have both amongst its lifeboat crew. Gaz, was a former Coxswain and is now a volunteer Relief Coxswain, whilst Daryl is Fleetwood RNLI’s full-time Coxswain/Mechanic. Gaz joined Fleetwood RNLI several
Kirsty& Gaz
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