Cowes lifeboat crew member Andrea Vaughan experienced a lift-up in more ways than on Saturday.
First she had reached the age of 50, and then she was winched aboard the Solent Coastguard Rescue helicopter during an exercise involving the Cowes station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat.
Andrea, who lives in Gurnard, said later:
“It was birthday present I shall always remember; it was really exciting. I am very grateful to the RNLI for agreeing to me being the member of crew to be winched up, and for the professionalism of the helicopter crew.”
She was also pleased that the RNLI had recently changed its policy for RIB crew members to retire at 50, but instead – subject to passing a medical every two years – go on to 55. Having served for just three years as a crew member, her volunteer role would have been all too short otherwise.
