Charlie Parfitt is a lifeboat volunteer from Hunstanton in Norfolk who became the first female RNLI hovercraft commander after passing her final test to take command of the station’s rescue hovercraft in 2019. She joined the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), the charity the saves lives at sea in 2015. The charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives since it was founded in 1824.
“I never felt I was treated any differently than any of the other guys on our station who worked just as hard to achieve the same role.”
A real life saver
I have always had an interest in outdoor activities and water sports. I have had many jobs surrounding this, including working as an outdoor activity instructor and a safety boat driver. I then trained as a lifeguard whilst I worked for a private ambulance company as an ambulance care assistant, as well being as an event medic and volunteering as a community first responder for the NHS.
When I moved to Hunstanton I was very keen to sign up to volunteer for the RNLI. I now run my own training company, Alongside Training, based in Norfolk, offering first aid at work courses and I work alongside the RYA (the Royal Yachting Association) training centres to deliver powerboat and VHF (very high frequency) radio courses.
About the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Since the organisation was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives. Its volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour search-and-rescue service from its 238 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and its seasonal lifeguards look after people on busy beaches during the summer months.
The charity’s work depends on generous donations from the public and gifts left in wills to maintain its rescue service as it is independent of the Coastguard and government.
If you would like to donate to the RNLI directly, please visit GoDonate.org/RNLI
Taking command
As volunteer crew members we have a duty rota to ensure both the hovercraft and the Atlantic 85 (a particular class of lifeboat) have cover in case of an emergency. I am trained as a pilot and I am the first female commander of a hovercraft for the RNLI. I’m also trained as a ‘helm’ on the Atlantic 85, having become the first woman to take on that role at our station in Hunstanton. (The helm is responsible for the inshore lifeboat during launching, at sea and through recovery, as well as the safety of the crew on board.)
Both the commander and helm roles involve taking command of the craft and working with our fantastic volunteer crew to save lives at sea in sometimes very challenging conditions and I am incredibly proud to have made a little bit of RNLI history by becoming the first female hovercraft commander.
We are family
The process involved a lot of work and commitment but is very rewarding. When we join, we are given a crew competency plan to work towards. The next step for me was to train as a pilot for the hovercraft. This involved getting a lot of flying hours and doing a course at the RNLI training college. I then progressed on to become a commander in charge of the craft and crew.
I never felt I was treated any differently than any of the other guys on our station who worked just as hard to achieve the same role. We are one team, like a family — it’s a great feeling and very satisfying. The reaction from colleagues and the public has been wonderful. They are all always so supportive and we couldn’t do what we do without the dedicated crew, volunteers and public who support the RNLI and our station at Hunstanton.
We now have women in every role on the station, and I believe we are the only RNLI station at the moment to have that. From the DLA (the deputy launching authority), a different role that carries out the day-to-day management of the lifeboat station to ensure a permanent state of readiness), the tractor driver, the head launcher, the commander, the pilot, the crew to the shore crew, so we can operate an all-female launch and crew! Hopefully, more women will continue to get involved and progress in the RNLI too.
Versatility across land and sea
The hovercraft is very versatile when rescuing people as it is not restricted by tides and water depth like the boats. It can fly straight out of the hanger, across the sand and into the sea if required. We get a lot of people cut off by fast-moving incoming tides, the hovercraft allows us to get straight to them, across any sandbanks too. It is also a great asset for rescues if people get stuck in the mud.
Being part of something special
The most rewarding part of my role in the RNLI is saving people who need help. It’s also being able to work with a group of people with a common interest, but who are from all different backgrounds and walks of life. I still feel very honoured to be a part of something so special that we as a nation are very lucky to have.
I’d encourage the Womanthology community to get involved. Anyone can get involved with the RNLI in all sorts of ways! From helping run the RNLI shops, fundraising events, educational visits, to becoming a crew member! Visit your local station to see what you can do — that’s what I did, you won’t regret it and you can help contribute to saving lives too!
Helping people back to safety
I am coming up to my 8th year on station. I am looking forward to continuing to gain more experience in my roles, as every situation we come up against is different. I am looking forward to helping to train new crew and encourage them on their RNLI journeys. I hope in my RNLI career I will keep making a difference to people’s lives by helping them back to safety and back to their loved ones.
