Holly Phillips, the IMRF’s 2024 #WomenInSAR Award winner, spent over two decades at the RNLI, playing a crucial role in the design, construction, repair, and safety of nearly every lifeboat in the organisation’s fleet. Reflecting on her 21 years of service, she describes her career as one filled with opportunities, collaboration, and invaluable lessons that have shaped both her work and who she is today.

“It’s a real privilege to be recognised by the IMRF,” Holly said. “Throughout my career, I’ve worked with some fantastic people within the RNLI, as well as engineers and operators from other SAR organisations. I’m extremely grateful for these experiences, and looking back, I can see how much they helped shape my career.”

When Holly learned she had been selected for the award, it came as a complete surprise. Having already left the RNLI, she had no idea a nomination was in progress. However, her impact on maritime SAR, particularly in engineering, has been profound. As the first woman to join the Poole lifeboat crew in 1994, she was also the 100th woman to become a crew member with the RNLI.

“At the time, I never really thought about being a woman in a male-dominated environment, I just got on with the job,” she said. “Now, in 2024, there are over 1,000 women among the RNLI’s frontline lifesavers, and the number of women in engineering roles has grown significantly too.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of Holly’s career was working on a major repair to an all-weather lifeboat. Alongside her colleagues, she analysed the damage, developed a cost-effective repair process that maintained the original design intent, and shared their findings with the broader maritime community in a technical paper.

Among the many projects she contributed to, Holly is particularly proud of the E-Class MKII lifeboats for the River Thames. As the project manager, she faced numerous challenges to ensure the boats met the RNLI’s operational requirements. “This project taught me so much about people, negotiation, and resilience,” she explained. “We managed to deliver all three boats just in time for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.”

Holly has also shared her expertise through nearly 30 professional and academic papers, including a joint paper with the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) on safety cases. Collaborating with international SAR organisations has been a key part of her career, reinforcing her belief that shared knowledge improves maritime safety globally.

Her passion for SAR and engineering began at an early age. Holidays spent near Swanage Lifeboat Station and working on passenger boats in the area fuelled her ambition to join the RNLI. When the opportunity arose in 1994, she took it - quite literally. “Back then, the rules were different. One day, I was at the station, and there weren’t enough crew for a shout. The Coxswain knew I worked on boats and asked if I wanted to go. Of course, I jumped at the chance!” she recalled.

Beyond her own achievements, Holly has worked to inspire and mentor future generations of engineers, particularly women. From school career fairs to university talks and RNLI open days, she has shared her experiences to encourage more women to consider engineering and maritime SAR.

“It’s a fantastic career - so rewarding,” she said. “Engineering is invaluable to society, and when you contribute to designs that save lives, there’s nothing quite like it.”

Although she has retired from active service, Holly remains involved in SAR. She was recently accepted as a Launch Authority at Swanage Lifeboat Station, ensuring her connection to maritime safety continues.

Reflecting on her career and the people who supported her along the way, Holly expressed deep gratitude. “All the work and achievements I’ve been involved in have been down to the fantastic team of people I’ve had the privilege to work with. I’d particularly like to thank Neil Chaplin, my friend and previous boss. As Head of Asset Management at the RNLI, he is instrumental in leading the engineering design team, ensuring the RNLI continues to develop and deliver lifesaving innovations.”

For Holly, the IMRF #WomenInSAR Award is not just a recognition of her career but a celebration of the growing role of women in maritime SAR. As she looks ahead, she hopes to see even more women join the sector and encourages them to be confident in pursuing their passions. “If you have an interest in engineering or SAR, go for it! There’s a place for everyone, and it’s an incredibly fulfilling path to take.”