Head Launcher - Burnham-on-sea

About Us

The RNLI’s Lifeboat Station in Burnham-on-Sea is looking for volunteers to join the existing team in the role of Head Launcher. 

Covering part of the Somerset coast, broadly between Brean Down and Hinckley Point, a lifeboat station at Burnham was formed in 1836, becoming an RNLI station in 1866.  The station closed in the 1930s and the current station re-opened in 2003.  The station has two Inshore Lifeboats – an Atlantic 85 B Class, and a D Class. 

The Lifeboat Crew are all volunteers, headed up by the Lifeboat Operations Manager and Launch Authorities, and supported by a Shore Crew team. All boat and shore crew follow the RNLI’s national Operational Competence Framework, and respond to pagers 24/7 when there is a request to launch the lifeboats. The wider team includes Lifeguards, the Water Safety team, volunteer fundraisers and shop volunteers. 

Burnham-on-Sea lifeboat station is one of the furthest RNLI stations from the water, with approx. 200m transit on main road for boats and launch vehicles, and further on the beach to the waterline (dependent on state of tide) to the launch point. 

The impact you will make 

This role will help us save lives at sea, as the Head Launcher’s role is essential in ensuring the swift and safe transit of boats and launch vehicles between the station and the water.  

What you will be doing 

• Oversee the safe and timely launch and recovery of the lifeboats, from and to the station, for services and exercises under the direction of the duty Launch Authority.
• Lead the Shore crew team
• Maintain competence under the RNLI’s Operational Competence Framework.
• Contribute to the operational efficiency of the station, lifeboats and equipment.

Find out more about becoming a lifeboat station volunteer 

What you need for this role 

• Team player
• Good interpersonal skills
• General fitness (desirable)
• Ability to learn new skills
• Live or work within 6 miles/12 minutes of the station and be between 18 and 70 years of age
• Be able to offer, as a guideline, 40% availability to respond to pager in the daytime Monday to Sunday, and no less than 75% average attendance at training sessions (Weds evenings and Sunday mornings – typically 5-6 training launches a month). 
• Knowledge of local beach and water conditions is necessary, but this is not a pre-requisite for joining.  Taking on the Head Launcher role requires initial recruitment and experience as Shore Crew before progression to Head Launcher training, to ensure the necessary level of local knowledge for safe execution of the HL role. 

What’s in it for you 

• Join an inclusive and diverse organisation.
• Gain the satisfaction of contributing to the RNLI’s mission of Saving Lives at Sea.
• Have fun, meet new people and join a motivated and enthusiastic team who are making a difference
• Learn skills and gain experience to enhance your CV
• Training to fulfil your volunteer role will be provided and reasonable out of pocket expenses reimbursed

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.