Ramsgate RNLI says 'we need your help' as lifeboat crew appeal for new recruits

The lifeboat station is appealing to men and women who are aged between 17* and 60 years of age, physically fit and live and/or work nearby to consider becoming a volunteer lifeboat crew member and potentially save lives for years to come.

Volunteer crew members make a huge commitment to train and be available to go on rescues, but the reward is becoming part of a hugely reputable organisation, and a whole new social group.

Indeed, the RNLI charity has relied on volunteers to crew its lifeboats since 1824,and today has some 4,700 volunteer crew members.

The reason prospective crew members need to live and/or work near the town is because a crew member must normally be able to reach the lifeboat station within 10 minutes of an alert via the crew pager.

Ramsgate RNLI Coxswain, Ian Cannon, said: ‘Sometimes people read that the RNLI is on the lookout for more crew members, but they immediately discount the idea because they don’t feel they have any or enough relevant maritime experience.

‘What they don’t realise is that nowadays only one in ten lifeboat crew members has a maritime background. For instance, on the Ramsgate crew we currently have people carrying out a variety of jobs including an electrician, gas engineer, publican and estate agent – it makes for a real community feel but also means anyone with the right attitude can get involved.

‘Being a volunteer lifeboat crew member can be hugely rewarding as you get to help a lifesaving cause. The crew training provided by the RNLI charity is second to none and all you really need is to be keen, enthusiastic and willing to commit to the cause.’

Anyone interested in finding out more about the opportunity to be a lifeboat crew member should email their details for the attention of Ian at [email protected] 

Ends

* 17 year-olds who wish to become an RNLI lifeboat crew member need parental permission and will need to provide evidence of this to the RNLI.

RNLI media contacts

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252  [email protected]
• James Oxley, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 [email protected]
• John Ray, Volunteer RNLI Press Officer, Ramsgate on 07759 480825 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 3367

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.