Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat station is looking for new volunteers who will play a key role in launching the lifeboat and saving lives at sea.
The station, which covers the western end of the Solent and out into the English Channel, plays a key role in keeping people in this busy stretch of coast safe.
In 2021, the station’s Severn-class lifeboat, the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet and capable of tackling the very worst of sea conditions, launched 29 times and aided 22 people.
Incidents volunteers launched to last year include assisting yachts in difficulty, coming to the aid of people who have fallen onshore and supporting 4 rescues as part of the Round the Island Race. The crew also raced to the rescue of a dismasted yacht and also one that had lost its rudder.
Volunteers at Yarmouth have received 17 awards for gallantry during its long history.
Now the RNLI is looking to recruit new Deputy Launch Authorities (DLAs) at the station. The DLA volunteer role is to assist the Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) in helping carry out the day-to-day management of the station and also authorise the launch of the lifeboats. They are also expected to provide leadership in the absence of the LOM and ensure the lifeboat and all equipment is kept in a constant state of readiness.
Max Gilligan, who is a Deputy Launch Authority at Selsey Lifeboat Station, said the role is a great way of being involved in the operational side of the station:
“It comes with a lot of responsibilities, including taking the initial call from HM Coastguard about an incident they may have ongoing and agreeing the launch of the lifeboat.
Article continues below this advertisement “As the duty deputy launch authority you get involved in all station matters from exercises to roller shutter doors failing to open. We at Selsey have four DLAs who stand in for the Lifeboat Operations Manager on a regular basis, so we all get experience”.
For more details and to apply for the role visit https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/deputy-launching-authority-yarmouth-isle-of-wight-507924.html.
What wonderful titles, and there’s me thinking that the Coxswain decided when to launch. I’m obviously in the wrong century.
Well done to all RNLI volunteers.
But you won’t get a look in at that position unless you a member of the Yarmouth Yacht club !
It’s lucky we don’t have the Invasion problem being this far west so they can concentrate on the important rescues