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New volunteer crew join Cowes RNLI – could you help save lives at sea?

Lifeboats News Release

Cowes RNLI station is looking for new volunteers to join its thriving community of people helping to save lives in the Solent.

RNLI/Sofia Voudouroglou

Cowes RNLI. volunteers Luca and Jules stand watch and communicate with the plant operator as the lifeboat is launched.

The annual intake of shore crew invites anyone aged 18+ living and/or working within five minutes of the station to sign up and spend a few hours a month training to launch its Atlantic 85 lifeboat, the Sheena Louise.

Recruits begin their training as shore crew, helping to launch and recover the lifeboat during exercise and responding to a pager for rescue launches. They learn skills such as ropework, use of VHF radios, local knowledge, first aid and more.

Shore crew prepare the lifeboat for launch and are essential to the crew's safety and ability to conduct rescues. After fully qualifying as shore crew, volunteers become eligible to be considered for a position on the lifeboat’s afloat crew, if and when vacancies arise.

Luca, one of the station’s youngest volunteers (pictured above), said:

“I joined the RNLI when I was 17 years old because it was a dream from a very young age . It’s been incredibly rewarding, and a great opportunity to give back to the local community while developing my skills. There’s no experience required to join – if you’re interested, now is your chance to get involved.”

Jules Lennon, pictured alongside Luca above, said:

“Cowes RNLI station is a welcoming community made up of volunteers from different backgrounds and ages. We are an active station, looking out onto one of the world's busiest shipping waterways, so we get lots of opportunities to learn and develop our skills. All you need is an interest in the RNLI’s work, and a few spare hours every month.”

The annual intake for volunteers is coming up, with a deadline of the 13th of September. Prospective volunteers will then have a chance to visit the station for a tour, find out more about the training, and meet crew members before joining.

Interested in volunteering with Cowes RNLI? Reach out to [email protected] to express your interest.


– Ends –


RNLI media contacts

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 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 142,700 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.


About Cowes RNLI Station

Cowes Lifeboat Station is converted from a former HM Customs Watch House, the rear of which is 300 years old. It looks out onto one of the world’s busiest shipping waterways and carries out a range of interesting services every year. It is the only station to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II.



RNLI/Sofia Voudouroglou

Cowes RNLI volunteers Crys and Jules raise the lifeboat’s aerials in preparation for launching on exercise.

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.

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