22. Flying High: Leesa Espley

She flies a hovercraft for the RNLI. And flies the flag for female volunteers. Meet Leesa Espley

In 2007, RNLI Hunstanton’s Leesa Espley became the first woman to gain a pilot’s licence to fly an RNLI hovercraft. But she had to do it the hard way – needing laser eye-surgery before she could take flight. Hear how times have changed for RNLI crews, and about what it’s like to pilot something with no brakes.

Learn more about the hovercraft.

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI  

Interview by the RNLI's Rory Stamp

Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls      

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200