Job Description

Being part of the lifeboat crew is a voluntary position and a major commitment which could include risking your life but it will offer you the opportunity to make a difference in your local community, to save lives and be part of the larger RNLI family and can offer one of the most exciting and fulfilling volunteer roles available.

If the thrill of a shout and being part of a close-knit team appeal to you, and you have the spare time required to make a commitment, then contact your local lifeboat station. Each individual lifeboat station deals with its own recruitment. Contact the station directly by phone or by going down to the station. Find your nearest lifeboat station, contact the Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager to find out more about the station and available places on the crew.

Follow the link further information about becoming a member of the RNLI crew 

Entry Requirements

• be over 17 (with the permission of your parents) or over 18 years old
• be under 55 years old (inshore lifeboat) or 65 (all-weather lifeboat) 
• be physically fit
• complete a health assessment including eyesight to ensure they meet the health standards set for the role
• live and/or work close to a lifeboat station 
• pass a probationary period that usually lasts for one year
• be a team player and be accepted by the rest of the crew
• enjoy hard physical work
• get on well with other people
• communicate easily
• obey orders when required to

Health Assessment
Due to the extreme conditions of going to sea, you are unlikely to meet the health standards set for the role if:

• there is any evidence of a colour vision defect as assessed using Ishihara plates (during the test aids to colour vision may not be worn; up to two plates may be failed and still constitute a pass);
• you have had laser eye surgery in the last three months;
• you are unable to read 6/6 in the better eye and 6/12 in the worst eye on the Snellen Chart at 6 metres distance even with glasses or contact lenses;
• you are unable to read 6/60 with at least one eye without any visual aid;
• you have evidence of any progressive disease in either eye, or suffer from any other eye condition which could disturb or limit vision, either now or within the next 5 years;
• you suffer epileptic seizures or have a condition which causes sudden losses of consciousness;
• your blood pressure is significantly raised and not well controlled with drugs;
• you have had a severe head injury with continuing impairment;
• you suffer from Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis or other degenerative condition;
• you have had alcohol or drug dependency problems within the last 3 years;
• you have profound deafness or speech difficulties and cannot communicate clearly on the radio/telephone;
• you have any other condition which would/could cause problems regarding your fitness to navigate/crew a vessel

Required Skills

• be a team player and be accepted by the rest of the crew
• enjoy hard physical work
• get on well with other people
• communicate easily
• obey orders when required to

Salary Range

£0 (volunteering role)