Second Tractor Pass out for Appledore RNLI First Lady Tractor Driver

At the beginning of April this year Laura Davies passed out as fully qualified to drive Appledore RNLI’s agricultural tractor. For the first time in the life of Appledore RNLI it had its first ever lady launch and recovery vehicle driver.

This week Appledore Lifeboat Station are delighted to announce that Laura has also now been passed out to drive the much bigger County Tractor, used to launch and recover the inshore lifeboat, in all states of tide, weather and conditions, day of night. Without a fully qualified tractor driver present, the lifeboat cannot be launched.

To quote Bob Meller, Appledore RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager: ‘Laura only started coming down to the lifeboat station in August last year and officially signed up as trainee shore crew in October. Since then she has gone from strength to strength showing total commitment to the RNLI and she has put in a massive amount of hard work, training and exercises covering all known scenarios. By January she had passed out as a fully qualified shore crew member, and in March, in casualty care. She is now also passed out to drive both tractors. Massive Congratulations Laura and well deserved. A big thank you also to all the crew who help with the training, and to all those who donate to, or fundraise for, the RNLI, without whom the RNLI, a charity, would not exist’.

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.

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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.