Portsmouth RNLI Volunteer Passes Shore Crew Assessment
Portsmouth RNLI is pleased to announce that volunteer crew member Matt has successfully passed his Shore Crew assessment, conducted by Lifeboat Training Coordinator Neil Maxwell, on Wednesday 5 June.
Matt joined the station in January 2026 and has shown great commitment to his training and development. Passing the assessment marks an important milestone in his RNLI journey and qualifies him to serve as a Shore Crew member, supporting the launch and recovery of the lifeboat and assisting with operational activities at the station.
Outside of the RNLI, Matt works as a Marina Manager in Chichester and brings extensive maritime experience to the role. He also holds an Offshore Yachtmaster qualification and has spent much of his career working at the highest levels of the sailing industry.
Prior to joining Portsmouth RNLI, Matt spent almost ten years with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, ultimately serving as Head of Operations and helping deliver one of the world's largest ocean racing events. In that role, he worked closely with skippers and crews operating in challenging conditions around the globe, developing a strong appreciation for seamanship, safety, teamwork and the importance of thorough preparation both on and off the water.
His time with Clipper also provided extensive practical experience at sea. Matt regularly served as a safety boat skipper supporting fleet arrivals and departures, competed in multiple Round the Island Races and the Fastnet Race, and played a key role in training and supporting crew members. These experiences deepened his understanding of maritime safety and provided valuable firsthand experience of operating in dynamic marine environments.
Matt said: "Having spent much of my life around the sea, I have always had enormous admiration for the RNLI and the volunteers who dedicate their time to helping others. Joining Portsmouth RNLI felt like a natural way to give something back to the local community while becoming part of an organisation and team that helps protect the waters I have spent so much of my life enjoying and working on.
Passing out as Shore Crew is something I am incredibly proud of. I'd like to thank Neil and the rest of the crew for their support throughout my training. My next goal is to progress towards becoming Boat Crew, and I look forward to continuing my training and supporting the station's lifesaving work for many years to come."
Everyone at Portsmouth RNLI congratulates Matt on reaching this important milestone and wishes him every success as he continues his RNLI training and volunteer service.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Abi Hinton, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]
Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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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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