At Cowes RNLI Station, 52 volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the Solent, one of the world’s busiest shipping waterways. Now, the station is looking for more volunteers to join and help save lives at sea.
New recruits begin their training as shore crew, helping to launch and recover the lifeboat during exercises and responding to a pager for rescue launches. They learn skills such as ropework, use of VHF radios, local knowledge, first aid and more. Once they pass their shore crew assessment, they are on call and ready to respond to their pager when needed.
No experience required
There is no experience required – only 1 in 10 lifeboat crew members has professional maritime experience, and the RNLI will provide all training and equipment.
Fully qualified shore crew are also eligible to train for a position on the lifeboat’s afloat crew, or ‘boat crew’.
Lambert: The crew here isn’t just a team, we’re a family
Rachel Lambert is one of the youngest crew members at Cowes RNLI station. Rachel began training in January, and passed out as shore crew five months later.
She is now training to become boat crew – and has been balancing this with taking her A-Level exams!
Rachel said,
“Volunteering with the RNLI in Cowes is an incredible experience. The crew here isn’t just a team, we’re a family. There’s a deep sense of trust, support, and shared purpose that makes being part of the station something to be deeply proud of.
“I’m currently training as boat crew, which is both a huge responsibility and a huge privilege. It’s exciting and full of new challenges. Every training session is a chance to learn something new that could one day help save a life. I personally know people who’ve been helped by the RNLI, so for me, this is also personal. I feel indebted to the charity and the volunteers who were there when it mattered most.
“I would recommend volunteering with the RNLI to anyone who wants to do something that truly matters. Whether on land or at sea, every role plays a vital part in saving lives.”
Southwell: It’s also rewarding and fun
Mark Southwell, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Cowes RNLI Station, said:
“Being pager-carrying operational lifeboat crew is about a simple commitment to train, qualify and maintain your skills.
“That commitment is not for everyone. It’s also rewarding and fun.
“If you think you can make a regular commitment all year round, you may well be for us.”
Eligibility
Applicants must live or work within 15 minutes of Cowes RNLI Station and be over 18 years old. Training will begin in autumn.
Find out more about the role and apply via the website.
Cowes RNLI is also hiring for a shop volunteer – find out more and apply via the website.
News shared by Sofia on behalf of Cowes RNLI. Ed
