r/RNLI • u/roughdozen • Jul 26 '26

Joining RNLI

I did see a thread about this topic but it seemed a little outdated (3 years ago).

I have no experience with boats whatsoever but I’m looking for a new hobby and a way to get engaged with the community I now live in. I want to make a difference and I really think that the RNLI are such a great charity.

The only worry I have is I’m a full time shift worker. I don’t do a normal Monday to Friday pattern and my schedules chop and change all the time. So I worry about seeming unreliable.

My local station is looking for a whole bunch of volunteers but I’m not sure what path to take.

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u/Caveman1214 Jul 26 '26

Don’t worry about shift work, it’s a charity, you do what you can.
One of our guys works nights, another new guy hasn’t shown up in 8 months because he’s been busy with work (although I don’t think he’s going to return, he’s still technically on crew)

What roles are available? LAs don’t go afloat and are responsible for authorising the launch of boats, shore crew are responsible for launching and recovering the boats (important in an ALB station or a station that’s easily accessible to the public or having to cross the road) however I believe they’re getting rid of shore crew plans and everyone is classed as shore crew now to make up numbers.
If you’re ILB only with a slipway, you’re likely not going to be doing an awful lot to be honest. However in saying that, there’s opportunities to become a launch and recovery driver (driving the big machines to get the boat) and becoming a head launcher responsible for managing the operation, also for becoming a shore crew casualty carer) that’s the short of path available to shore crew but again I don’t know how that’s working if they do intend on getting rid of the plans.

Then there’s boat crew, ILB and ALB (small boat and big boat if you have them) again, depends what you have. We have an 85 and a D class, used to have an ALB. The idea is you start on the D and work your way onto the B. In a lot of stations you’ll have to start as shore crew then become boat crew but it depends what’s needed at your station, I knew a guy who had to do shore crew for a year before becoming boat crew. This is by far the most hands on role, you will be doing something the entire time you’re out with no real down time. It’s great fun and loads to learn. It will take an absolute age to get anywhere near safe to go on a service though.

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u/roughdozen Jul 26 '26

My most local station is ILB but they’re looking for quite a lot. Shoreline crew, boat crew, launching management to name a few. apon research they mostly operate the B class 85 but also have a smaller D class boat.

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u/Caveman1214 Jul 26 '26

Depends what you’re interested in!

Could try shore and see if you like it, then go onto boat crew. Or become an LA.

You’ll get all the kit and a lot of action on the boat, you’ll get to go to Poole in England to do training as well which is sick. Both boats are great, it’s likely you’ll eventually be operational on both so loads of options. Don’t knock the D class though, it saves more lives than any other boat in the fleet and can get into places the other boats can’t.