“Tasking all lifesavers” - Aberdeen RNLI needs you to save lives at sea

Operated by volunteers, Aberdeen’s Severn class all weather lifeboat, Bon Accord, and D class inshore lifeboat, Buoy Woody 85N, are always ready to respond to anyone in difficulty in the cities coastal and river waters.

The role of the lifeboat crew is to be on call for lifeboat shouts, to attend training exercises and contribute to the overall upkeep of the station, lifeboats and equipment. Volunteers will be required to undertake and maintain competency-based training as necessary to fulfil the role of crew member. All training is provided free of charge by the RNLI in Aberdeen, the training college in Poole, and stations around the UK.

Volunteers must hold a valid driving license, have access to a vehicle, and live and work in the following postcodes: AB10, AB11, AB12 (North), AB15 (East), AB22, AB23 (South), AB24, AB25. In addition, volunteers must have permission from employers to respond to call outs – or shouts – and be between the ages of 18 and 50 years old. For more and to apply visit our website: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/alb-and-ilb-crew-aberdeen-565781.html

Anyone looking to find out more about the role or that is interested in the charities work is encouraged to head down to the station’s annual Open Day, which is taking place on Sunday 18^th of August. The once-a-year family friendly event allows the public access to the lifeboat station, take a look around the kit rooms where its volunteers ready themselves for shouts, as well as the change to see both lifeboats up close, with tours from the crew.

In addition, crews from Stonehaven RNLI and Peterhead RNLI will also be in attendance, alongside Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scotland Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard and Scottish Mountain Rescue.

Visitors will be treated to performances from The Gordon Highlanders Association Drums & Pipes, a BBQ prepared by the crew, fundraising stalls selling merchandise, as well as coffee and cake, by our fundraising volunteers, and more.

Aberdeen RNLI Open Day will take place from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 18^th August at RNLI Lifeboat Station, Victoria Dock Entrance, Waterloo Quay, Aberdeen, AB11 5DF. Visitors should be aware that the lifeboat station is located within a commercial harbour and parking is not available on site. Shuttle buses will be in operation, donated and run by Ffolkes Offshore. More information will be available on social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Aberdeen lifeboat station has been operating since 1802. To learn more about the lifeboat station visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/aberdeen-lifeboat-station
• Aberdeen lifeboat station operates a Severn class all-weather lifeboat, Bon Accord, and D class inshore lifeboat, Buoy Woody 85N.

RNLI media contacts (in order of contact)

Jamee Kirkpatrick, (Volunteer) Lifeboat Press Officer - Aberdeen, 07521304409, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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, Twitter 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.