St Mary’s RNLI Coxswain Pete Hicks Honoured with Prestigious RYA Yachtmaster of the Year Award

St Mary’s RNLI Coxswain Recognised Among the Best in the World

Pete Hicks, coxswain at St Mary’s RNLI Lifeboat Station, has been awarded the prestigious RYA Yachtmaster of the Year title, standing out among 3,500 candidates worldwide.

Pete achieved the highest scores in both his exam and assessment, securing the top honour, which was presented by HRH The Princess Royal at Trinity House. The event marked the beginning of the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) 150th anniversary celebrations.

A Double Recognition

This year, two winners were named for the award. Alongside Pete, Polly Farrari was recognised as the 2023 winner, with Pete taking the 2024 title.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) celebrated the milestone by welcoming key stakeholders to Trinity House, where its president, HRH The Princess Royal, reflected on the organisation’s legacy and achievements.

St Mary’s RNLI Bursting with Pride

Pete’s colleagues at St Mary’s RNLI Lifeboat Station shared their excitement, revealing that he had been keeping the achievement under wraps. They expressed their pride, calling it a “lovely way to celebrate” his success.

With such a standout performance, Pete has firmly placed himself among the best in the world—a true testament to the RNLI’s commitment to excellence.

A Huge Congratulations

A well-deserved congratulations to Pete and Polly on their remarkable achievements!