St Ives RNLI Celebrates Two Major Crew Pass Outs

St Ives RNLI is celebrating two major crew achievements after David Chard and Charles Anderson-Smith successfully completed their final assessments and stepped into key operational roles.

David becomes Deputy Coxswain

David Chard has qualified as All-Weather Lifeboat Deputy Coxswain, a role that places him in command of the lifeboat at sea. The Coxswain is responsible for the safety of the crew and any casualties on board, as well as navigation, search and rescue tasks and making decisions in challenging conditions.

Training for the Deputy Coxswain role takes several years and combines on-station experience with specialist courses at the RNLI College in Poole. Final pass outs involve assessments both on and offshore, including navigation, search and rescue scenarios and emergency procedures.

David has been a volunteer at St Ives Lifeboat Station since the age of 17 and has already given 16 years of service. Alongside his work with the RNLI, he runs his own building company. In 2019 he broke his neck during a charity rugby match, an injury described as life changing, but he worked through significant challenges to continue serving.

Speaking after his pass out, David said: ‘To become a Deputy Coxswain at St Ives has been a dream since I was a young boy. To have now achieved this means so much to me and my family. I’ve always loved the sea and boats, and the fact we get to save lives at sea is something I’m very proud of.’

📷David Chard (left) has passed out as All-Weather Lifeboat Deputy Coxswain, and Charles Anderson-Smith (right) as Afloat Mechanic. - Credit: RNLI/Rob Cording-Cook

Charles steps up as Afloat Mechanic

Charles Anderson-Smith has passed out as Afloat Mechanic. This role focuses on the operational readiness of the lifeboat’s engines and systems while at sea, ensuring everything remains safe and functional during rescues.

Training includes engineering instruction, operational drills and final assessments at sea overseen by RNLI trainers.

Charles brings 21 years of experience at sea, much of it as a commercial fisherman out of St Ives and Newlyn. He has also skippered pleasure boats from St Ives for the past decade and now works on tugboats in Falmouth.

Speaking after his pass out, Charles said: ‘I’d like to say a special thank you to Matt Parr, Robin Langford and the rest of the crew for all their help. Without them it wouldn’t have been possible.’

Strengthening the team at St Ives

The achievements of David and Charles highlight the dedication shown by volunteers at St Ives RNLI, who commit countless hours to training and service. Each new qualification strengthens the station’s ability to respond to emergencies and continue its mission of saving lives at sea.

📷David Chard (left) has passed out as All-Weather Lifeboat Deputy Coxswain, and Charles Anderson-Smith (right) as Afloat Mechanic. - Credit: RNLI/Rob Cording-Cook