New volunteer crew at Southend-on-Sea RNLI lifeboats begin training
January 2025: Eight new RNLI volunteers started their training at Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station. The lifesaving charity’s newcomers include five lifeboat crew, two shore crew and a launching authority.
Initially all the new crew undertake training as shore crew which is an essential role responsible for assisting with the launch and recovery of the lifeboats, preparing the lifeboats for service and helping with the upkeep of the stations, lifeboats and equipment. At Southend-on-Sea RNLI there’s a lot to cover with three lifeboats, an inshore rescue hovercraft, two stations and two types of launching (tractor and davit).
The first few weeks of training, the volunteers learn the layout of the lifeboat stations and lifeboats, health and safety, PPE (personal protection equipment), operational procedures, VHF radio communications, commitment to and from the RNLI, teamwork and ropework. The trainees then move onto preparing the lifeboats for service and launching the lifeboats.
Southend RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew and trainer assessor Iain Keenan said: ‘It’s always great to welcome new trainee recruits willing to give up their time selflessly in the service of those at risk or in danger in and around our seas. The training is extensive and demanding, so it’s great to see that our new recruits have taken to the task so admirably and are working hard. On top of that they are fostering the RNLI values of teamwork and commitment and are to be highly commended’.
Southend RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew Maria Millgate had this advice for the new trainee crew: ‘Always ask questions if you’re not sure, help and support each other, enjoy the journey and don’t put too much pressure on yourself’.
Along with operational crew, there are many roles available for people who want to volunteer for the RNLI. Living local to the lifeboat station is not a necessity with roles such as water safety team, shop crew, fundraisers, lifeboat visits team, press officers and social media officers amongst many others. For volunteering opportunities visit: https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities
For further information please contact:
- Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
- Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Notes to Editors:
- Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Ireland.
- Southend RNLI cover over fifteen miles of shore from Foulness to Canvey and beyond.
- For more information, please visit http://www.southendlifeboat.org/
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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on 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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
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.