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 Safety Adviser
4. Become a Education Volunteer
5. Become a Fundraiser
6. Become a Member of the RNLI
7. Include... the RNLI in your will or donate a gift 'in memorium' of a loved-one

... or simply donate to the RNLI;

Locally, through our Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild (contact Capt Eddie McGee 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 Lifeboat 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 85' lifeboat stations such as ours to retire from sea-going service at circa 45 years of age. Retirement at 'All Weather Lifeboat' stations is circa 55. These advisory retirement ages can be extended for a few years, subject to medical checks and critera.

Retired crew-members have a wealth of experience and usually join our shore-based team that provides support through crew training or the launch & recovery/mooring of the lifeboat, etc. Often, due to their past experience, retired crew members are appointed as a 'Lifeboat Operations Manager' or a 'Deputy Launching Authority'.

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 SAFETY ADVISER

The RNLI provides advice to boat owners, yacht clubs and others through voluntary RNLI Sea Safety Advisers.

To become a Sea Safety 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 sailing/boating/winsurfing qualification. This could be a qualification obtained from the RYA, the RNLI or another equivalent organisation.

RNLI Sea Safety Advisers must be able to pass on advice relating to safety at sea to a boat owners in a friendly and sensitive manner. They must be willing to carry out vessel and/or lifejacket inspections at the owner's convenience at either their home or where their craft is berthed/moored. Sea Safety inspections normally take about an hour to complete.

If you would like further information please email the RNLI at watersafety@rnli.org.uk or on 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, RNLI Education Officer, at Tel: 028 90 473665

 

5. Become a FUNDRAISER

It costs over £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 just 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.

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 our Honorary Secretary, Mrs Bernadette Rogers, for information at guild@PortaferryLifeboat.com

Alternatively, if you would like to join a guild/branch in your area please contact your local RNLI Regional Office as listed in your local telephone directory. (Northern Ireland Tel: 028 90473665, or go to 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. For more info click here
e. make a regular donation from your salary
f. If your are a tax-payer, 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 or give a gift in memorium of a loved one.

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 lifeboats and equipment, both today and in the future.

If you think you could help with including the RNLI in your legacy please send for the RNLI's new free booklet and video. These useful guides will give you helpful information about how to make or update your 'will' as well as how best to leave a legacy to the RNLI.

Alternatively, you my wish to consider a gift 'in memorium' of a loved one.

For further information please click here or phone the 'RNLI Legacy Enquiries Office' at 01202 663 032 or the Northern Ireland regional office on 028 90 473 665