Could you be a lifesaver? Fethard RNLI appeals for new volunteers to save lives
Fethard RNLI is opening its doors for a recruitment evening on 5th June 2026 to welcome interest from the public in volunteering to help save lives at sea.
The charity is looking for new volunteers to take up crew and fundraising roles in the Fethard area. Fethard Lifeboat Station operates a D-class inshore lifeboat, which is launched from multiple sites on the Hook Peninsula. The station reopened in 1996 after being closed for 80 years and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The Lifeboat Crew are all volunteers, headed up by the Lifeboat Operations Manager and Launch Authorities and supported by a Shore Crew team. All boat and shore crew follow the RNLI’s national Competency Based Training Scheme and respond to pagers when there is a request to launch the lifeboats. The wider team includes volunteer fundraisers, shop volunteers and water safety volunteers.
Crew roles involve undertaking training and attending exercises on a regular basis, being on call for lifeboat ‘shouts’, and contribute to the overall upkeep of the station, lifeboat and equipment. The station is seeking both lifeboat crew to go afloat on the lifeboat, and shore crew to assist the launch of the lifeboat shoreside and drive the Land Rover launch vehicle and trailer.
Fundraising roles include participating in the planning and delivery of a range of fundraising activities in the community and online. This can include anything from emptying a collection box to running an event. Join an enthusiastic fundraising crew championing the RNLI and building its reputation in the Fethard area.
The crew at Fethard invite anybody interested in becoming a volunteer to attend the open evening on Friday June 5th at 7pm. Watch the lifeboat launch at Fethard Dock before meeting the volunteers and asking questions in Fethard Lifeboat Station.
Volunteer helm, Eoin Bird, says: ‘Volunteering with us gives people the opportunity to make a real difference in their local community, to save lives and become part of the larger RNLI family. We can’t keep people safe without the support of our wonderful volunteers, who truly make a difference every day no matter which role they are fulfilling.
Becoming a volunteer at Fethard RNLI is a great chance to play a crucial part in helping to save lives. We’re looking for enthusiastic people to go afloat, stay shoreside, or support fundraising activities – anyone interested in finding out more should apply online rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities, contact on Facebook: Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Station, or Instagram: Fethard_RNLI, or visit the open evening on June 5th.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Nadia Blanchfield, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [email protected]
Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]
Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.