Are you ready to help Mablethorpe RNLI save lives at sea?

With COVID restrictions being gradually eased in England more people are expected to visit the coast and the RNLI team at Mablethorpe is looking for extra people to join them to help spread the charity’s lifesaving messages and keep them safe on the coast.

There are a number of roles available including lifeboat crew, shore crew who help launch and recover the lifeboats, and tractor drivers whose role it is to transport the lifeboats between the station and the sea, all of which are vital to saving lives at sea.

Mablethorpe RNLI is home to two inshore lifeboats, on call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and is funded entirely by donations. To date this year, Mablethorpe’s two lifeboats have launched a total of eight times.

The charity is hoping to attract people from all walks of life and new recruits don’t need to have sea-going experience to get involved. Team players with good general fitness and the ability to learn new skills would be ideally suited to the roles. Potential recruits must live or work within six miles of the station and be between 17 and 55 years of age.

Neil Herbert, RNLI Volunteer Deputy Launching Authority, explained:

‘Only 10 per cent of our new recruits come with professional maritime experience; our current lifeboat crew is testament to this as we have volunteers from all walks of life. We are seeking enthusiastic people who have some spare time who are looking for a new challenge and wish to help make a difference.’

All volunteers are subject to current COVID-19 restrictions and as such the lifeboat station is currently closed to visitors. Therefore, introductions and training will take place when safe and able to be carried out under strict pandemic social distancing measures.

The RNLI provides comprehensive training (subject to current COVID-19 regulations) to turn ordinary people into lifesavers and by volunteering people will gain some fantastic experience, knowledge and skills with the team in Mablethorpe. Around 95 per cent of RNLI people are volunteers and find the experience an extremely rewarding one. It’s a great way to make new friends whilst helping to save lives at sea.

Will Bruce, who works as an electrician, is one of the more recent recruits at Mablethorpe, having been with the station for five months. Will said:

‘I joined the RNLI as a shore crew member to give something back to the community and the friendship and camaraderie at the station is second to none. I have learned many new skills during my comprehensive training and, after being out on the lifeboats on a training acquaintance session, I am hoping to progress to lifeboat crew member in due course. I feel a great sense of pride and would urge anyone looking for community involvement with the opportunity to help save lives, to join our team. It is an amazing experience.’

Davina Silk has been with the station for two months and is following in the footsteps of her father who was a crew member for 22 years. She works in a busy restaurant in Mablethorpe so sees the influx of visitors during the summer and the pressure this puts on the RNLI team. Davina said:

‘Growing up I heard so many amazing stories of rescues and heroic acts, and to see the gratitude on loved ones faces is something you would never forget, so to play a part in helping just one person would be fantastic. My training has been brilliant, learning new skills and gaining so much knowledge; there is always something to do in my current role at the station as a member of the shore crew, and I would like to become a member of the sea-going crew in the future.

I would encourage others to volunteer as there is a great sense of fulfilment when you are able to contribute to the saving of peoples lives, and also gaining knowledge of the weather, beach and sea. It’s also a great way of meeting new people and to build new friendships, no matter what age, gender or ethnicity.’

To qualify as lifeboat crew, volunteers need to:

· Be aged between 17-55

· Live or work within six miles of the station at Mablethorpe

· Be generally fit and healthy

For more information, contact Mark Chambers on 07989 125128, Neil Herbert on 07711 857189, or Dale Chapman on 07834 924834.

Mablethorpe RNLI Media Contact: Debbie Kendrick, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07504 713092 or [email protected]

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.