It’s a picture that provides the clearest evidence – that when it comes to the RNLI at Cowes being female is categorically no bar to any role in the organisation.
Whether it’s boat crew, shore crew, launch authority, plant operator, working in the local RNLI shop or being a member of the visits team – they are all responsibilities ably undertaken by women in the town.
And to further underline the RNLI’s cross-gender policy, after this all-female picture was taken at the station on Wednesday (2nd July) the lifeboat was launched on a Cowes Week exercise with an all-women crew. And at the controls was Libby Finch, who only recently qualified as the station’s 1st woman helm.
Mark Southwell, Station Operations Manager, said:
“As far back as 15 years ago the then-independent Cowes lifeboat already had a mixed crew, which went on transfer to the RNLI service. So, from the start we have been able to demonstrate that the lifeboat it not a men’s club, and its not a club at all – but a serious professional service – ready at a moment’s notice.”
“Today 30% of the station itself is female. There are no bars or prejudices towards anyone here. Logically that’ll be a 50/50 split 1 day and rightly so, thus reflecting the population of Cowes. And all lifeboats should fully represent their towns.”
“I have to say that I admire anyone, man or woman, who happily to turns up and launches in such foul conditions as we have experienced today, and still has a broad smile!”
