May 21st, 2026.



Katherine Nash, a volunteer crew member at Newhaven RNLI, has reached the highest role of inshore lifeboat command, passing her final assessment and becoming the station’s newest helm.

Katherine applied to join Newhaven RNLI in 2022 with no prior boating experience, following a recruitment drive for the station’s soon-to-be-launched D Class inshore lifeboat D-890 Bill Hall. She officially became crew in May 2023 and has since worked to develop her skills, qualifying as a casualty carer in 2024 and a navigator in early 2025.

The helm takes command of search and rescue at sea and the last steps on the pathway to becoming a helm, which includes a final assessment with professional RNLI examiners, are designed to be rigorous and challenging, while testing the participant’s leadership qualities under pressure. Katherine passed with flying colours and is now Newhaven RNLI’s fifth helm. 

Katherine is quick to point out her success can’t be separated from the strong and supportive crew around her: "This is a team achievement. I could not have done it without the rest of the crew, from helms and coxswains to trainees, they all went above and beyond to assist me with my training and put in countless extra hours to help, as did our flanking crews at Eastbourne and Shoreham."

Nick Gentry, training coordinator and the station’s longest serving crew member, said: "Katherine should be really proud of this outstanding achievement. Everyone at the station could see the considerable time, effort and dedication she invested in achieving the required high standards, and typical of Katherine, when receiving messages of congratulations, she was quick to thank every helm and crewmate who supported her with additional training, encouragement and guidance along the way."

It costs £1,360 to train a regular RNLI crew member, but the costs to train helms, such as Katherine, can be far higher. The RNLI is a charity that relies on the generosity of the public to fund its lifesaving work. Help train more helms like Katherine by donating to the RNLI.

www.rnli.org


*Image credit: Nick Gentry/Newhaven RNLI Left: Katherine Nash, right: Sophie Braund, RNLI coastal lifeboat trainer.