Launch Authority - Newhaven

About us

The RNLI’s Lifeboat Station in Newhaven is looking for a volunteer to join the existing team in the role of Launch Authority.

Did you know…

• Only around 1 in 10 of our operational volunteers come from a maritime background.
• Newhaven Lifeboat Station is powered by a diverse team from every walk of life – emergency services workers, drivers, journalists, roofers, IT workers and others who work from home.
• On average the Newhaven lifeboats are launched on a service call (shout) once a week.
• The lifeboat crews train on Monday and Wednesday evenings (19:00–21:00) as well as Sunday mornings. We understand the need for flexibility too as we all have other life pressures and we work around them whilst providing some form of consistent commitment.
• We are a friendly, approachable and supportive team – volunteering tends to bring good people together.
• We host some team and family social events throughout the year.
• Newhaven Lifeboat Station has a rich history you can discover and has led us to now having a Severn Class all-weather lifeboat and a D-Class inshore lifeboat.
• We understand that walking into a lifeboat station for the first time can feel daunting, but we’re a genuinely welcoming bunch who remember exactly what that first step felt like and you will be surprised how quickly you feel included.

If you have any questions, please contact us via [email protected] or drop in when we are at the Station – we would enjoy meeting you.

The impact you will make

This role will help us save lives at sea by carrying out the day to day management of the lifeboat station to ensure a permanent state of readiness for service.

What you will be doing

• Provide on-call cover with the use of a pager, alongside the other Launch Authorities. You can do this from home and attend the Lifeboat Station once you have authorised a launch.
• Authorise the launch of the lifeboats, if appropriate to do so.
• Provide direction in the absence of the Lifeboat Operations Manager or as delegated
• Support the operational activities carried out to maintain the lifeboats and all associated equipment, to maintain a constant state of readiness for launching on service.

Find out more about becoming a lifeboat station volunteer

What you need for this role

• Some consistent availability – typically supporting on-call cover for eight days/nights over a month.
• Be able to work well in a team
• Good communication skills
• Personal responsibility
• High standards of integrity and respect for others.
• Local maritime knowledge (desirable)
• IT literate (desirable)
• Live or work within 15 minutes of the station (probably in Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven and immediate surrounds) and be between 18 and 70 years of age
• Knowledge of the RNLI (desirable).

What’s in it for you

• Feel more invested in your local community.
• Join an inclusive and diverse organisation
• 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
• Gain the satisfaction of giving back
• 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.