A 24-year-old woman has become the RNLI’s youngest ever female coxswain.
Becky Cannon has followed in her father Ian and grandfather Ron’s footsteps and taken charge of the lifeboat.
The family tradition goes back 80 years to when Becky’s great, great, great uncle, Alf Moody, was second coxswain during evacuations on Dunkirk beach during the Second World War.
READ MORE: Tom Kerridge mocked for cooking chicken with can of BEER inside it
- Advertisement -
Becky joined the volunteer crew in Ramsgate, Kent seven years ago at the age of 17.
It was the same age her father was when he started, as reported by What’s The Jam.
But her ambition was always to become coxswain, who is in charge of the all-weather lifeboats and in command of them when they are at sea, is responsible for all the operations connected with launching the lifeboat, ensuring the safety of all the lifeboat crew onboard.
Becky, who works at Dover Harbour as a Vessel Traffic Services Officer, had to take a collision regulations exam and undertake a search scenario at sea with an assessor.
But she wasn’t allowed to be related to her assessor.
- Advertisement -
A perfect opportunity arose when her father went away on holiday and his role was covered by Dan, a relief coxswain, who was also an assessor for the RNLI.
Becky credited her family for their inspiration and support, and in particular mentioned her grandfather Ron Cannon MBE.
The late Ramsgate coxswain was awarded an MBE for his services to the RNLI in 2017 after 53 years with the charity.
- Advertisement -
Ron passed away in 2018.
His wife Julia, Becky’s grandmother, said her husband would have been incredibly proud.
Becky said: “The RNLI training teaches you great skills, confidence, teamwork, courage and a sense of being part of something meaningful.
“The only thing that tempers my happiness is the fact my grandfather isn’t here to see me pass out as coxswain.”
READ MORE: Cannabis plants spotted growing in council flower beds
