Professional adventurer Debra Searle has joined the trainee crew at Plymouth RNLI after being inspired by a local newspaper story highlighting women in search and rescue.
Searle, who spent more than 100 days alone at sea while rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean, said a photograph and article about Plymouth RNLI’s first South West Women in Search and Rescue event in the Plymouth Chronicle Newspaper encouraged her to apply for an operational role at the lifesaving charity.
The story, which appeared in the Plymouth Chronicle, featured female RNLI volunteers in their crew kit promoting opportunities for women within the organisation.
Reflecting on the moment she saw the article, Searle said it helped her reconsider how she could use her experience to give back.
“I don’t know who first coined the phrase ‘You can’t be what you can’t see,’ but they were certainly right,”
she said.
“I saw it around the time I was applying for some non-exec director and trustee roles. I’d noticed that my heart just wasn’t in it.
I didn’t really want to join another board or sit in any more meetings, but I do want to give back and to use the varied experience and skills I have gained to make the world just a little bit better, if I can.”
Searle said the image of women involved in the RNLI made her realise she could contribute to the service.
“I’m one of only a handful of people in the world who has spent more than 100 days alone at sea, so I felt I had a unique perspective that I could bring to a lifeboat search and rescue team.”
she said.
“Unexpectedly rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean has gifted me some incredible opportunities over the years, but saving another person’s life at sea would surely be the ultimate gift.”
According to Searle, representation within long-established organisations can play an important role in encouraging more diverse volunteers.
“That photo in my local paper gave me the confidence to apply to be a lifeboat crew member because when you see it, you really do start to believe you can be it.
Of the nine new trainee crew members in Plymouth, 55% of us are women.”
Searle said she is now beginning the extensive training required before being able to join rescue missions at sea with the RNLI.
“It will be some time yet until I’m allowed to go afloat as there is much training to complete first, but I can’t wait.”
she said.
If you’re inspired to volunteer like Debra, please visit www.rnli.org to see what roles are available, or contact your nearest lifeboat station.
