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

1. Become a Volunteer Crew-member
2. Become a Volunteer Shore Crew-member
3. Become a Water Safety Volunteer
4. Become a Fundraiser
5. Become a Member of the RNLI
6. Include... the RNLI in your will or donate a gift 'in memorium' of a loved-one
7. Visit the RNLI On-Line Shop here

... or simply donate to the RNLI;

Locally, through our Portaferry & District Lifeboat Guild (contact our treasurer, Mike Miall, at guild@PortaferryLifeboat.com)

. or directly to Portaferry RNLI by clicking this button

1. Become a LIFEBOAT CREW MEMBER

We are often looking for new crew members. If you live or work in the Portaferry area and think that you would like to join us as a crew member then please read on.

To become a volunteer crew-member at Portaferry Lifeboat Station, or any other RNLI Lifeboat Station, you must at least 18 years of age and under 55 years of age (Inshore Lifeboats) and 65 years of age (All-Weather Lifeboats).

In addition, you must be physically fit and will be required to under-go a health assessment, including an eyesight test and live and/or work relatively close to Portaferry Lifeboat Station.

New crew-members are not required to have maritime experience. 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 100% 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 consider retirement from sea-going service at 55 years of age. Retirement at 'All Weather Lifeboat' stations is 65.  However, these advisory retirement ages can be extended provided the crew member continues to meet the normal medical and physical requirments.

Retired crew-members have a wealth of experience and frequently join our shore-based team that provides support through crew training or the launch & recovery/mooring of the lifeboat, etc.  Retired crew members are often appointed as a station's 'Lifeboat Operations Manager' or as a 'Deputy Launching Authority'.  Such positions currently have a retirement age of seventy.

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.

New lifeboat crew members initially serve a probationary period of one year.

For further information click here

2. Become a SHORE CREW MEMBER

To become a volunteer Shore Crew member at Portaferry Station, or any other RNLI Lifeboat Station, you must be at least 18 years of age and usually live or work reasonably close to a lifeboat station.

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

Just like our sea-going crew-members, they need to be 100% 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 WATER SAFETY VOLUNTEER

The RNLI provides water safety advice to all ages through Water Safety Volunteers.

Water Safety Volunteers provide advice to schools, youth and adult groups mainly through water safety presentations. They also such give practical advice on the use of emergency devices such as EPIRB's and the self-maintenance of lifejackets.

The RNLI provides comprehensive training for Water Safety Volunteers through group meetings and webinars.

If you would like further information please click here

 

4. Become a FUNDRAISER

It costs over £50,000 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 mainly through voluntary donations and legacies.

One of the ways to encourage the public to donate to the RNLI is through joining a RNLI Fundraising 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.

Fundraising 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 with your request at guild@PortaferryLifeboat.com

Alternatively, if you would like to join a guild/branch in your area please click here for further information.

 

5. 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

 

6. 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 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 such as having their name engraved on a new RNLI Lifeboat.

For further information please click here

Last update: 22/04/25