Happisburgh RNLI volunteers have been hard at work improving their skills
Volunteers have been upping their skills recently at Happisburgh RNLI lifeboat station with great success.
One volunteer has become Head Launcher and another - a tractor driver for launch and recovery.
Two crew members have also passed out as full crew after passing their Tier 2. They were the first crew to pass this new level of training in the RNLI. Two others have passed out as Launch Authority.
On the 10 March 2025, Alix Symonds had her pass out as Head Launcher along with Mike Fox who was also being passed out as tractor driver at the same time. They were both successful and passed with flying colours.
Alix Symonds said: ‘I have been coming to Eccles on holiday since I was one year old, I moved up here permanently from East London in 2000. I have always been interested in the RNLI, so I started volunteering in the shop in 2021.
'In 2023, I decided to join the shore crew, and have enjoyed working with the Happisburgh crew. They were so welcoming and encouraging. Then in 2024, I started my training as Head Launcher which I found very rewarding. I passed out as head Launcher which was a very proud moment and it feels great to be the first female head launcher at Happisburgh. But to be honest I feel no different from anyone else on the station. It is a such close knitted team and we all support each other.
'I could not have done it without the whole team’s help and encouragement, particularly Steve the other Head Launcher who I shadowed throughout my training and has helped me immensely through my training, never complained once about my constant questions and always said to me ‘there is never a silly question.'
Mike Fox said: ‘I joined in Feb 24. We moved to Norfolk from Essex in Oct 23. I wanted to do something for the local community, get myself out of the house and meet people. I was not aware of the non-sea going opportunities in the RNLI and after watching a launch, I was persuaded to come along and find out more about volunteering as shore crew. I could not have passed out without the support of all the team in Happisburgh. A big thank you to them all.'
On 23 March, Harry Ronald and Ellis Speirs took the station's D class lifeboat D 813 Russell Pickering to sea with an RNLI assessor to display that they were up to the standard to pass the Tier 2 assessment. This involved both theory and practical assessments which they both passed with flying colours.
After returning to station, Harry said: ‘Thank you to all the boat crew and shore crew for training me up to Tier 2.'
Ellis said: ‘Thank you to my eldest son Leo whose passion for the Lifeboats and all things nautical persuaded me to join the RNLI, also thank you to my family at home, without you this would not be possible.
'I did not feel like I would be of any use to the station but with kind people and superior training I am at the point where I can officially ‘save lives at sea’. I am a part of an amazing team at Happisburgh, that is only going from strength to strength, I enjoy my training, the shouts and camaraderie. Thank you, RNLI Happisburgh.'
Racheal Kirkham and Terry Beane passed out as Launch Authority, on the 8 April this was to revalidate them to carry on in the role, they both passed with flying colours.
The station is very proud of all their volunteers who put so much into saving lives at sea.
Notes to Editors
Happisburgh RNLI currently operates a D class lifeboat D - 813 Russell Pickering.
The station also has a Community Water Safety Team and a shop and Visit Centre.
RNLI media contacts
Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer Philip Smith:
Mobile 07766007936 E-mail [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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