‘It’s really rewarding to know you’ve made a difference’

She flies a hovercraft for the RNLI. And flies the flag for female volunteers. Meet Leesa Espley.

In 2007, RNLI Hunstanton’s Leesa Espley became the first woman to gain a pilot’s licence to fly an RNLI hovercraft. But she had to do it the hard way – needing laser eye-surgery before she could take flight. Hear how times have changed for RNLI crews, and about what it’s like to pilot something with no brakes.

Learn more about the hovercraft.