Brighton RNLI calls for new volunteers to help save lives at sea

Brighton RNLI is recruiting six new volunteer lifeboat crew members and two launch authorities, offering local people the opportunity to play a direct role in helping to save lives at sea across Sussex.

The recruitment drive comes as Brighton’s volunteer lifeboat crew continues to respond 24 hours a day to people getting into difficulty in and around the water. The station recorded 65 taskings last year, with an increasing proportion involving members of the public in the water, including swimmers, paddleboarders and kayakers.

In June, Brighton RNLI volunteers rescued six people and assisted several others during an exceptionally busy evening, after offshore winds left swimmers, paddleboarders and kayakers struggling off the city’s coastline.

To apply to be volunteer crew you must be:

• Team player
• Good communicator
• General fitness
• Ability to learn new skills
• Live or work within 15 minutes of the station, based on Brighton Marina.

The role requires volunteers to be able to respond quickly when their pager sounds, attend regular training and exercises, and help maintain the lifeboat, station and equipment in a constant state of readiness.

Two Launch Authorities are also needed, this role is responsible for the station's response when a service call is received from HM Coastguard, helping ensure the crew, lifeboat and equipment are ready to respond safely and effectively.

The role requires people who can remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively and support and develop the volunteer crew. Applicants must live or work within 30 minutes of Brighton Lifeboat Station. Full training is provided.

Brighton RNLI volunteer lifeboat operations manager Charlie Dannreuther said: ‘If you’ve been thinking about giving back to the community and taking up a volunteer role, now is the time to do it.

‘This month we took part in Brighton Pride and we loved meeting so many people and sharing more about what we do at Brighton RNLI.

‘If you saw us there and want to find out more, please do get in touch.

‘Whether you’re interested in becoming lifeboat crew or a launch authority, you could play a vital role in helping us save lives at sea. We’d love to hear from you and welcome new volunteers to our team.”

Applications for both vacancies close on Sunday 25 October 2026.

To find out more and apply:

Inshore Lifeboat Crew – Brighton:
View the vacancy and apply

Launch Authority – Brighton:
View the vacancy and apply

For further information about volunteering with the RNLI, contact the RNLI Volunteering Team on 01202 663346 or via the contact details on the vacancy pages.

ENDS

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Hatti Mellor, RNLI Communications Staff Member for RNLI, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 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.