First female RNLI coxswain in Peel 'proud'

A recently appointed coxswain for an RNLI Lifeboat Station in the west of the Isle of Man said she is "really proud" to become the first female to take up the role.

Chloe Spooner, 27, joined Peel Lifeboat Station when she was 17 along with her dad after they moved to the western town.

As coxswain, Chloe will be in command of the station's all-weather lifeboat during search and rescue operations and is responsible for the safety of casualties and crew members.

She said she was "excited" to be able to give back to the community and the charity, which has its roots in the Isle of Man.

Chloe, who is also one of the youngest women in the charity to become a coxswain for a Shannon Lifeboat, spent almost three years training in order to gain the necessary qualifications.

She said as a coxswain "you have to have skills on every area of the boat", including understanding mechanics, navigation, radar.

She said it had not occurred to her that she was the first woman coxswain at the station, but "it was nice to acknowledge".

She said the RNLI was doing a lot to ensure women have the same experience as men within the organisation.

"I think what I have achieved is a speck of the larger picture," she added.

Typically responding to about 20 shouts a year, Chloe said it was "a great feeling to be able to come back from a shout having returned someone to their family".

"Other crew members have done a lot in helping me get here, and I can't thank them enough," she said.

Chloe's dad, Jason, also qualified as a mechanic for the station's all-weather lifeboat last week, while Mike Taylor became a coxswain to add to his mechanic qualification.

Peel Lifeboat Operations Manager, Allen Corlett, said members of the station were "immensely proud "of their achievements and appreciated the "dedication and hard work behind their success".

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