Ready to make waves? Aberdeen RNLI launches search for volunteer lifeboat crew

For over 200 years the crews at Aberdeen lifeboat station, which is one of the oldest stations in the UK, have been saving lives at sea. The station houses both an inshore lifeboat (ILB), Buoy Woody 85N, and an all weather lifeboat (ALB), Bon Accord, and is looking for volunteers to join its existing 20+ crew.

The role of the lifeboat crew is to be on call for lifeboat shouts, to attend training exercises and contribute to the overall upkeep of the station, lifeboats and equipment. Volunteers will be required to undertake and maintain competency-based training as necessary to fulfil the role of crew member. All training is provided free of charge by the RNLI in Aberdeen, the training college in Poole, and stations around the UK.

Cal Reed, coxswain mechanic at RNLI Aberdeen, said: “This is a good opportunity to join a motivated and enthusiastic local team of volunteers on the crew and supporting operations team, and have the satisfaction of contributing to saving lives at sea in the local area. No previous maritime experience is needed, although you will need to be a team player with good general fitness and the ability to learn new skills.”

Volunteers must hold a valid driving license, have access to a vehicle, and live and work in the following postcodes: AB10, AB11, AB12 (North), AB15 (East), AB22, AB23 (South), AB24, AB25. In addition, volunteers must have permission from employers to respond to call outs – or shouts – and be between the ages of 18 and 50 years old.

Cal added: “Volunteering for the RNLI offers individuals an opportunity to support their local communities in a way that is truly unique. We work alongside government agencies like the Coastguard, Police Scotland, NHS Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service, and Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS), as well as other charities, like Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

“We have a fantastic crew here in Aberdeen – and we’re looking forward to welcoming new individuals.”

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, 365 days a year. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and the government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Find out more or apply here: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/volunteer-crew-alb-ilb-aberdeen-531936.html

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Aberdeen lifeboat station has been operating since 1802. To learn more about the lifeboat station visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/aberdeen-lifeboat-station
• Aberdeen lifeboat station operates a Severn class all-weather lifeboat, Bon Accord, and D class inshore lifeboat, Buoy Woody 85N.

RNLI media contacts (in order of contact)

Jamee Kirkpatrick, (Volunteer) Lifeboat Press Officer - Aberdeen, 07521304409, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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.