THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN ASSIST THE RNLI IN SAVING LIVES

1. Become a Crew-member
2. Become a Shore helper
3. Become a Sea Check Advisor
4. Become a Education Volunteer
5. Become a Fundraiser
6. Become a Member of the RNLI
7. Include... RNLI in your will

... or simply donate some spare cash to the RNLI, either locally through our Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild (contact Mrs Pat Browne at guild@portaferrylifeboat.com)

... or directly to the RNLI by clicking this button

1. Become a CREW MEMBER

To become a volunteer crew-member at Portaferry Station, or any other RNLI Lifeboat Station, you must be at least 17 years of age, medically fit, have excellent eyesight and live or work not more than 3 miles from the lifeboat station.

Crew-members don't have to have a maritime background although clearly it is an advantage and will reduce both the length and the costs of your training. We have individuals from all walks of life on our crew. Some of our best and most faithful crew-members had no nautical background but became highly proficient through the professional training that the RNLI provides.

Above all, you will need to be 110% committed to being able to respond at a moment's notice, no matter what you are doing, provided you are within reasonable travelling time to the Station. In return we can offer you one of the most exciting and fulfilling voluntary jobs available.

For health &safety reasons the RNLI requires crew-members at Atlantic 75 lifeboat stations such as ours to retire from sea-going service at 45 years of age. Retirement at 'All Weather Lifeboat' stations is 55.

Retired crew-members have a wealth of experience and usually join our shore-based team that provides support through crew training, the launch & recovery of the lifeboat, etc.

If you are interested in finding out about becoming a crew-member at our station please e-mail us with your contact information at newcrew@PortaferryLifeboat.com

If you are interested in becoming a crew-member at another lifeboat station you should contact the Lifeboat Operations Manager or any known crew-member at that lifeboat station or you can e-mail the RNLI at vacancies@rnli.org.uk specifying your interest in becoming a crew-member.

 

2. Become a SHORE HELPER

To become a volunteer Shore-Helper at Portaferry Station, or any other RNLI Lifeboat Station, you must be at least 17 years of age and usually live or work no more than 3 miles from the lifeboat station.

Shore-helpers provide many important and vital services for the lifeboat station but their primary task is to ensure a fast and safe launch of the lifeboat when there is a call for assistance.

Just like our sea-going crew-members, they need to be 110% committed to being able to respond at a moment's notice.

If you are interested in finding out about becoming a Shore-Helper at our station please e-mail us with your contact information at shorehelper@PortaferryLifeboat.com

 

3. Become a SEA CHECK ADVISOR

The RNLI provides advice to boat owners, yacht clubs and others through voluntary 'SEA CHECK' advisors.

To become a SEA Check adviser you must be over 17 years of age, physically fit, a good communicator and be competent in at least one area of sailing/boating.

The RNLI is recruiting volunteers with wide nautical experience and a relevant qualification. This could be a qualification obtained from the RYA, the RNLI or another equivalent organisation.

'SEA Check' advisors must be able to pass on advice relating to safety at sea in a friendly and sensitive manner to boat owners. They must be willing to carry out the 'Sea Check' at the owner's convenience at either their home or where the craft is moored. 'Sea Checks' normally take about an hour to complete.

If you would like further information please email the RNLI at watersafety@rnli.org.uk or free phone 0800 328 0600

 

4. Become an EDUCATION VOLUNTEER

Help stop young people getting into trouble at sea and our safety messages out to those at risk.

If you have experience of talking to young people, are available during the day and willing to undergo the usual checks please contact Paul Rafferty, Education Officer, at the Northern Ireland regional office Tel: 028 90473665

 

5. Become a FUNDRAISER

It costs about £300,000 every day to provide the RNLI life saving services throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

All of this life-saving work is funded entirely through voluntary donations and legacies.

One of the ways to encourage the public to donate to the RNLI is through joining a RNLI lifeboat Branch or Guild.

Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild is only one of such guilds/branches that raises thousands of £'s each year for the RNLI. Membership of Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild is open to adults of all ages and gender. The Guild meets every two/three months in the lifeboat station to plan or organise future fund raising events. In addition the Guild has a small souvenir shop attached to the lifeboat station that is open at weekends during summer months.

Fund raising for the RNLI is a team effort and you will not be expected to work on your own. For many, helping to raise funds for the RNLI is in itself rewarding and also provides an opportunity to meet and socialise with a wide variety of people from the local community and beyond.

If you would like to attend one of our Guild meetings to learn more about our fund raising efforts, or if you only require information about our guild, please contact us for further information at guild@PortaferryLifeboat.com

Alternatively, if you would like to join a guild/branch in your area please contact you local RNLI Regional Office as listed in your local telephone directory. (Northern Ireland regional office Tel: 028 90473665, or ro/ni@rnli.org.uk)

 

6. Become a MEMBER OF THE RNLI

There are various ways in which you or your family can support the RNLI by becoming a member of the RNLI. There are several categories of membership.

a. become a 'Governor' or 'Life Governor' of the RNLI
b. become an 'Offshore' member
c. become a 'Shoreline' member
d. enrol your children or grandchildren as 'Storm Force' members
e. make a regular donation from your salary
f. If your are a taxpayer, ensure that an income tax refund can be claimed by the RNLI on all of your donations.

Check out all of the membership options by visiting
www.rnli.org.uk

 

7. Include the RNLI in your will

Six out of every ten lifeboat launches are only possible thanks to legacies.

The RNLI volunteer crews expect no thanks or reward for the risks they take and the sacrifices they make. For their safety, the RNLI needs to ensure that they have up-to-date boats and equipment both today and in the future.If you think you could help with a legacy, please send for the RNLI's new, free booklet and video. These useful guides will help give you helpful information about how to make or update your Will, as well as how to leave a legacy to the RNLI.

Please contact John Marshall, RNLI Legacy Enquiries Officer, on 01202 663 032 for more information or the Northern Ireland regional office on 028 90 473 665