Littlestone RNLI welcomes Ryan Wicken as their newest helm

Ryan Wicken used to see the lifeboat launching at Littlestone RNLI and decided to see if he could help by volunteering as crew. That was back in 2017 and now the 34-year-old software engineering manager has passed out as one of the station’s helms. The rigorous training involves firstly successfully completing shore crew training and then beginning boat crew training. The process culminates in a final going afloat with an RNLI assessor to carry out several tasks. This ensures that Ryan can both control the inshore lifeboat and instruct the volunteer crew according to set procedures.

Having spent six years as a volunteer crew member and undergoing extensive training to become the latest helm at Littlestone, Ryan said; 'I'm really delighted to have completed my pass out, to continue as volunteer crew at Littlestone, and take the lead as and when required.' The final test, an intensive three hour afloat assessment, covered all aspects of the helm's role at sea. Training for this very important role takes considerable time and effort.

Matt Crittenden, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlestone RNLI said; 'The whole RNLI family at Littlestone would like to congratulate Ryan on becoming the station's fourth helm. All the time and effort Ryan has put into his training has been rewarded by completing his pass out after a tough interrogation of his command skills. He will need these in his new role as a helm on the lifeboat. We are all so very proud of what he has achieved today. It’s no mean feat, well done!’

RNLI Media contacts

· John Kenny 07747-033443 [email protected]

· Clinton Marshall 07758-616581 [email protected]

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· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

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· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

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.

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.