Making headlines for Southend RNLI Lifeboat Station can help save lives at sea

The station, which operates three lifeboats and a hovercraft, is one of the busiest in the country, with the town being a thriving destination for visitors. The lifeboats and hovercraft launched 128 times last year saving five lives and helping 71 people.

Now the lifeboat station, which occupies two buildings, one at each end of the Pier, needs two people who can tell the incredible story of the Southend’s volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping the station operating and who put to sea in all weathers to rescue those in danger.

‘The volunteer roles of the Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO) and Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer (DLPO) are absolutely crucial to keeping this station going,’ said Southend Lifeboat Operations Manager Graham Slack.

‘We rely entirely on the support of the public to keep our lifeboats afloat and without Lifeboat Press Officers promoting our rescues and telling the stories of our incredible fundraisers our voice wouldn’t be heard,’ he said.

‘Getting those stories out is more important than ever as, across the country, we are launching more than ever, but our funding is falling. It’s a Perfect Storm and we can only weather it if we can find people to volunteer for these hugely important roles’.

The Lifeboat Press Officers are involved in all aspects of station life from updating the public and media on lifeboat launches to advertising open days and working alongside TV film crews, such as the team from the BBC2 series ‘Saving Lives at Sea,’ which has featured Southend Lifeboat Station.

The role of the LPO and DLPO is to build and maintain friendly relationships with the local press, radio, television and online media, keeping the community informed of operational activity and promote newsworthy rescues and lifeboat station events.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity to join a motivated and enthusiastic local team- as well as the wider lifeboat family around the coast - and have the satisfaction of contributing to saving lives at sea,’ added Graham Slack, adding that it could be the perfect role for someone who has good communication, writing and IT skills and who lives or works in Southend.

The volunteers, who are expected to be able to give a minimum of five hours a week, will receive first class training in all aspects of the media, from writing press releases to editing video and posting on social media and they also become members of the station’s Lifeboat Management Team.

LPOs and DLPOs also get the opportunity to attend training at the RNLI College in Poole and work closely with LPOs at neighbouring RNLI stations.

To apply for the roles applicants can use the following links or for more information contact Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East on (07785) 296252 [email protected]

Lifeboat Press Officer: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/volunteer-lifeboat-press-officer-southendonsea-405481.html

Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/volunteer-deputy-lifeboat-press-officer-southendonsea-405485.html

RNLI Media contacts:

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.