JOIN THE TEAM
Picture the scene. It’s 02.15am and ‘blowing a hooley’ outside on a freezing winter’s morning and the pager’s gone off. You arrive at the station and are picked as crew. Shore crew busily prepare the lifeboat and under coxswain’s/helm’s command you are launched and head out to sea in complete darkness. Waves rise and fall around you and one icy wave ensures you are fully awake.
Strong gale force winds are testing your mettle but someone is in trouble and needs your help.
Do you think you could volunteer to do this?
First of all, don’t put yourself down and say ‘I could never do that’. We all have to start somewhere and most current personnel come from a non-maritime background.
You may be amazed at what you actually could do and even if you don’t wish to be boat crew, we still need Shore Crew and Deputy Launching Authority’s to launch and recover the boats. Lifeboats go nowhere without a dedicated shore crew and Deputy Launching Authority’s.
There may also be other opportunities within the station that you may be able to help with. Please keep an open mind and read on before making any decisions.
Positions are Open to both Male and Female
To become a lifeboat crew member, you need to:
- be over 17 (with the permission of your parents) or over 18 years old
- be under 55 years old (inshore lifeboat) or 65 (all weather lifeboat)
- pass a Medical and Eyesight Test
- be physically fit
- live and/or work close to a lifeboat station (if working close to be available for call-outs during the working day)
- pass a probationary period that usually lasts for one year
- be a team player and be accepted by the rest of the crew
- enjoy hard physical work
- commit to regular training
At the moment, Shore Crew don’t need a medical.
- Crew members also need good personal skills. This means you need to:
- get on well with other people
- communicate easily – that means talking and listening!
- carry out instruction when required to
- Being part of a lifeboat crew is a major commitment, which could ultimately include risking your life. Your commitment isn’t only measured in the time spent involved in rescues. Increasingly, new equipment and faster boats mean that regular training programmes also account for much of your spare time. You may also be asked to help show visitors around the station and help with local fundraising.
Whilst the above is what we normally require, speak to us if there is something you think may stop you applying.
What’s in it for you?
The RNLI provides first class training and equipment, guidance and support. For you it’s an opportunity to achieve and to save lives and a chance to be part of our world class rescue service. We can offer you one of the most exciting and fulfilling voluntary jobs available.
Still interested?.. even slightly?? If the thrill of a ‘shout’ and the teamwork appeal to you and you think that you have what it takes to be that special kind of person, then:
Click on the ‘Contact’ button below and fill in the online form or call at our Lifeboat station during the normal working day and have a chat with our station mechanic. Alternatively, if you know any of the lifeboat crew, have a word with them. They will be only too happy to point you in the right direction.
You can also call into the station on a Thursday Night from 1900 hrs onwards (7pm). Thursday is our training night and you will get to meet everyone and see what is going on.