A new beginning

It’s been a couple of weeks since writing my first blog, and what a couple of weeks they have been!

One of the most important things about being a lifeboat crew member is being able to put your complete trust in your crew mates. A relationship that like any, grows with time, and one which is vital when operating in challenging conditions or when dealing with a difficult situation. I consider my lifeboat colleagues to be an extension of my family. The team are not just there for each other when out on the boat, but provide an important support network behind the scenes as well. This is something that I am certain will be common amongst all lifeboat crews, whether RNLI, or an independent lifeboat service such as ourselves.

I have been off the active crew list for a few months now, not because I have not wanted to, but because I became pregnant with our first child in May 2019. Our little embryo took part in a couple of pager shouts and a planned duty before we knew she was hiding in there, but once we knew, it wasn’t safe for me to continue crewing.

I dreaded telling the Lifeboat Operations Manager, and my fellow crew, but they could not have been more supportive, which just highlights the sense of family that we have. I remained close to the crew throughout my ‘pregnancy ’, visiting the station at weekends, helping with fundraising ventures and creating our 2020 calendar with the help of another crew member Chris. I have also now accepted the post of Fundraising Manager whilst I settle into life as a new Mum, pending getting back out onto the water!

Our baby girl Eleanor Rose was born on 3 Feb 2020. The crew were amongst the first people that we told, so it seemed only right that she was introduced to them at the training night 2 days after her birth. Her lifeboat uncles and aunts were delighted to meet her, and already have her yellow wellies and life jacket on order.

So what next? Both mum and dad are looking forward to the months and years ahead with our precious bundle. Eleanor is looking forward to her first trip on the boat (an alongside visit to start with!), Mum is thinking up new fundraising ideas while standing the middle watch feeding routine and looking forward to getting back out as active crew later in the year.

Hamble Lifeboat is an independent lifeboat which was set up in 1968 in response to a number of deaths on and around the river Hamble and Southampton Water. In 2019, Hamble Lifeboat responded to 105 coastguard incidents. The service relies on the generosity of local people to survive (we receive no funding from the RNLI).

If you would like to donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/hamblelifeboat