Could you be a volunteer at RNLI Mablethorpe?

RNLI Mablethorpe in action (Photo: Mablethorpe Photo Album)

It’s been a busy summer for the lifeboat crew, and the volunteers are now looking for extra people to join their team to help spread the charity’s lifesaving messages.

All volunteers are subject to the current Covid-19 restrictions, and, as a result, 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.

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

RNLI Mablethorpe is home to two inshore lifeboats, on call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and is funded entirely by donations.

So far this year, Mablethorpe’s two lifeboats have been launched a total of 27 times - 25 of these during the lockdown period - with eight lives being saved.

The charity is hoping to attract people from all walks of life to join them and new recruits do not 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 role. Potential recruits must be 17 to 55 years old.

Mark Chambers, RNLI volunteer deputy launching authority, said: “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 and who are looking for a new challenge.”

The RNLI provides comprehensive training to transform ordinary people into lifesavers, and by getting involved with volunteering people will gain fantastic experience, knowledge and skills with the local team.

To get involved, you must be generally fit and healthy, be between 17 and 55 years old, and live/work within six miles of Mablethorpe lifeboat station.

For further information, contact Mark Chambers on 07989 125128 or Dale Chapman on 07834 924834.