This Mother’s Day, volunteers at Cowes RNLI Station are celebrating the mothers that help save lives at sea.
The station invited its volunteers who are mothers, as well mothers of volunteers, to include their photos in a celebratory collage.
Those pictured include shore crew and boat crew, as well as station management.
Penny Jeffcoate
Penny Jeffcoate, trainee navigator, is pictured below with her son, Ben. Having spent her life on the water, sailing, racing and working as a maritime engineer, Penny joined the RNLI in 2019, hoping to bring any expertise she had towards helping others at sea.
Penny said,
“When I had my son in 2021 I naturally had to stop going to sea for a while, but still managed to contribute through shore crew and plant duties, even at 8 months pregnant.
“I love being at sea and love being a mother so I’m so thankful to Cowes RNLI station, who supports me to be able to get back out to doing what I love and cherish. The crew were a huge support to me when I was taking months off at a time during multiple rounds of IVF. They have even occasionally picked up my son from nursery, when we are called out to a rescue and my husband is the only helm on service and I’m the only trainee navigator!
“I look forward to sharing this with my son, who attended his first mayday in the Solent at just 23 months, though it’ll be a few more years before he can do it with the blue light on…”
Jack Banks, partner to Penny and dad to Ben, volunteers on Cowes lifeboat as a helm. He is pictured below with his mum, Sue.
Ben said,
“When I’m big I’ll go on the lifeboat with dad and mum too.”
Olivia Manser
Olivia Manser joined Cowes RNLI Station in 2023.
Olivia said,
“Becoming a mother was actually what allowed me to join the RNLI – previously I’d been moving around for work and travelling a lot, but I naturally ended up being a little bit more home-bound after I had Thora! It’s been so nice to be involved in the RNLI and the Cowes community, and I’m proud to be able to show Thora the lifeboat.
“I’m sure she’d say she was proud of me if she could! With a young toddler around, I couldn’t volunteer without the support of my partner, allowing me to leave the house whenever the pager goes off.
“I’ve even left Thora with some mum pals who stuck around to watch the lifeboat being launched – thanks gang, and happy Mother’s day to you all, and to my own mum.”
RNLI crew work on a volunteer basis, attending training and responding to callouts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. RNLI volunteers leave their families, work and homes at a moment’s notice to head out to sea.
From lifeboat and shore crew members, to committee, fundraiser, water safety and shop volunteers as well as other vital roles, the crew’s dedication and the support of their families and friends is vital in achieving the RNLI’s mission to save lives at sea.
News shared by Sofia on behalf of Cowes RNLI. Ed
