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New helm for Poole RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Poole RNLI volunteer, Kitty Norman, yesterday (4 June) qualified as a helm on the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat.

RNLI/Nathan Williams

Poole RNLI volunteer Kitty Norman
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Joining Poole Lifeboat Station in 2017, Kitty has undertaken 123 service calls, aided 110 people and helped save 6 lives.

Over the last 12 months Kitty has maintained focus looking at command skills and finessing the boathandling required to be a helm and has been put through a variety of scenarios to prepare her for the final passout.

The role of the helm is to take charge of the boat, crew, and make sound decisions when the pressure is on.

Kitty said: ‘All the hard work has paid off and the training and support from all at Poole Lifeboat Station has been brilliant.

‘I’ve loved being a volunteer and I’m excited for this next chapter’.

As the RNLI celebrates Volunteers’ Week this week (3-9) June, Kitty is just one example of the thousands of dedicated lifesavers who help save lives at sea.

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.

About the author

David Riley
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Poole Lifeboat Station

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