A lifeboat station is celebrating the arrival of a new vessel and the appointment of its first female coxswain in its 200 year history.
Appledore Lifeboat Station in Devon has a new Shannon class lifeboat, Ruth and David Arthur, which has taken over as the village's official all-weather vessel from its Tamar class lifeboat.
The volunteer crew, external has undergone intense training to learn how to adapt to the new boat.
One of the team, Natalie Withey, said it was a "privilege" to be appointed as coxswain earlier this year. "It didn't matter I was a woman, I was just part of the crew."
The RNLI said Withey was one of three female coxswains in the South West region, out of a total of 29 across the country.
She has been volunteering at the station for 10 years and had progressed through the ranks.
Coxswains hold the senior operational and command role on an all-weather lifeboat with responsibility for the vessel, its crew, and the safety of those rescued at sea.
She said: "I was really interested in the navigation side so I became a navigator, and also the casualty care side of things. So things just kept building and somehow I found myself on a coxswain's plan, and just kept going.
"It's a huge privilege to be the first one in 200 years at Appledore, but from the day I set foot in this station I wasn't treated differently."
She has been involved in a number of rescues, and one night-time incident off Lundy Island sticks in her mind.
She said: "Our action saved her leg so everyone involved that night got medical commendations and she still keeps in touch. When I became helm I got a card through the post and when I became coxswain. So she still keeps in touch. It is huge when you have made a difference to somebody like that."
The RNLI said "women have always been an important part of our lifesaving service", from Grace Darling, external, the first female RNLI medal winner, to Elizabeth Hostvedt, its first female lifeboat crew member.
It also said it championed diversity, and was "incredibly proud" of all frontline staff and volunteers who "continue to give so much in their selfless service of others".
The whole crew at Appledore has been commended for its efforts across the year, particularly for learning to operate the new lifeboat.
Tom Mansell, RNLI regional operations manager said: "We are incredibly proud of the crew and the entire Appledore station team. Their professionalism, resilience and dedication truly represent the very best of the RNLI."
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Appledore Lifeboat Station Appoints First Female Coxswain in 200 Years