Bridlington RNLI volunteer Diane Norton has successfully launched the station’s D class lifeboat Ernie Wellings during an operational callout shortly after qualifying as an RNLI-recognised ToolTrak driver.

Diane joins a very select and limited group of female volunteers at Bridlington RNLI to achieve this feat and is the first woman at the station to do so since the introduction of the RNLI’s Operational Competency Framework (OCF), the national training and assessment system used to ensure volunteers meet and maintain the required operational standards for their roles.

The ToolTrak plays a vital role in getting the inshore lifeboat to the water quickly and safely when tasked by HM Coastguard.

Diane said: ‘I am incredibly proud to have qualified as a ToolTrak driver and grateful to everyone who supported me throughout the training process.’