As the world marks International Women’s Day, four women have shared their stories of volunteering with the RNLI, and why they have grown to love their role saving lives at sea.
Ruaraidh Britton Reporter
07:00, 08 Mar 2026
Stonehaven RNLI boat crew volunteers Abbie and Caroline(Image: RNLI/Anna Carlton)
Four women volunteering with the RNLI have shared their love for the role as the lifeboat charity marks International Women’s Day.
The quartet volunteer as crew at Stonehaven RNLI, both as shore and boat crew having come from differing backgrounds – environmental consultancy, administration, and healthcare – each bringing with them great skills and experiences.
Suzanne has been a valuable part of the shore crew for a number of years. Once she completed all shore crew competency training, she decided she wanted to take on more responsibilities.
Her next step was to train to be one of the station tractor drivers. Passing the tractor driver competencies with flying colours Suzanne became the station’s first female tractor driver and the first in Scotland to pass out on the RNLI new competency framework.
Never one to rest on her laurels, Suzanne has since progressed to train and pass out as a Launch Authority for the station, adding yet another string to her bow.
“I love the seas,” says Suzanne, “so volunteering with the RNLI just made sense, as it combined this with helping people and giving something back to the community.
“It’s also given me the opportunity to learn new skills. It’s great being part of the crew, and we all work well as a team when called out on a tasking.”
Stonehaven RNLI boat crew volunteers Abbie and Caroline(Image: RNLI/Anna Carlton)
Boat crew volunteer Caroline has also been with Stonehaven RNLI for several years, having responded to a social media advert for a volunteer administrator for the station.
Having often seen the crew out on the water, she had long admired their dedication. Working in administration she knew she had the skills to provide the support the station required.
Part of her role meant she attended regular station meetings and her enthusiasm and active involvement led the crew to encourage her to join as volunteer operational crew.
After completing her shore crew training, Caroline decided to continue to boat crew training. She has since passed out as Tier 1 crew and is working toward becoming Tier 2 competent, which involves more advanced competencies and skills.
Caroline said: “Joining the RNLI and being part of the crew has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Having started out with no maritime experience, the RNLI has equipped me with the training, skills and confidence to succeed within my role.
“Knowing that I can help make a difference in someone’s time of need, makes it truly worthwhile. Last year I was fortunate enough to be selected to attend the Women in SAR Training Week at the RNLI’s first-class facilities in Poole.
“It was a great opportunity to spend a week meeting so many incredible, inspirational women from various operational roles and to be able to connect, share experiences and train alongside them.”
Stonehaven RNLI shore crew volunteers Suzanne and Chelsea(Image: RNLI/Anna Carlton)
Relative newbies Chelsea and Abbie both responded to a volunteer crew recruitment drive by Stonehaven RNLI in spring 2025.
Chelsea is currently a member of the shore crew team and looking at moving onto boat crew training. She was looking for a volunteering role that would match her passion for helping people, when she spotted the recruitment campaign.
“The crew are really friendly and keen to share their knowledge and experience. Training with them is an exciting challenge and I’m looking forward to continuing my RNLI journey.”
Abbie also joined just under a year ago, starting as shore crew, and is currently embarking on her boat crew training after passing all her shore crew competency training.
“The RNLI provides all the training you need to be shore and boat crew, you just have to get stuck in.”
Common to all four of these women is that they were looking for a way to give back to the coastal communities they work and live in. Volunteering with the RNLI has proven to be a great fit.
Regardless of your background, life or work experiences you can be a volunteer in the RNLI.
Be that as an administrator, press or social media officer, fundraiser, retail shop volunteer, tractor driver, shore and boat crew, launch authority or station manager there can be a role for you.
The RNLI gives volunteers the opportunity to learn a wealth of new skills, providing all the training needed to carry out roles safely and successfully.
