Shore Crew - Dungeness

About us

New Year, New You!

Fancy a fresh start this year? Come see what volunteering at Dungeness is all about!

The RNLI’s Lifeboat Station in Dungeness is looking for volunteers to join the existing team in the role of Shore Crew.

Did you know…

• Only around 1 in 10 of our operational volunteers come from a maritime background.
• Dungeness Lifeboat Station is powered by people from every walk of life - chefs, drivers, shop owners, labourers, office workers and more. Our Coxswain walked through the doors 14 years ago with zero experience. With the RNLI’s free training and support, he went from carpenter to qualified mechanic, navigator, and now the Coxswain leading our crew. We celebrate our differences and unite with one purpose: saving lives at sea.
• All training and equipment are completely free - everything you need to succeed.
• We train every Wednesday evening (19:00–21:00) and two Sunday mornings a month. We’re flexible too; life happens, and we work around it. One of our volunteers works away for half the year and still plays a vital part in the team.
• We’re friendly, approachable, and we love a good laugh. Top skills at the station include teamwork, resilience… and making a cracking cup of tea!
• We host family events throughout the year, from our kids’ Christmas party to our summer BBQ.
• Dungeness Lifeboat Station was the first to receive the RNLI Shannon class lifeboat. The Morrell was named on 31 May 2014 by HRH The Princess Royal. The station has a rich history. In 1940, the Dungeness lifeboat was one of 19 that took part in the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk in northern France. And through the 1950s the station was famous for its Lady Launchers - local women who helped haul the lifeboat down to the sea, and recover her. 

We know 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.

If you fancy getting fitter walking the beach, meeting great people, and joining a team that saves lives at sea, give the station an email on [email protected] and pop in for a cuppa. We’d love to meet you.

All in all, what’s in it for you?

• 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

The impact you will make

This role will help us save lives at sea by assisting with the safe launch and recovery of the lifeboat on service and exercise.

What you will be doing

• Assist with the launch and recovery of the lifeboat(s) on service and exercise
• Maintain competence under the Competency Framework for the role
• Contribute to the overall upkeep of the station, lifeboats and equipment

Find out more about becoming a lifeboat station volunteer

What you need for this role

• Team player
• Good communicator
• General fitness
• Ability to learn new skills
• Must live within 15 minutes of the station
• Be between 18 and 70 years of age

Please apply online or for further information contact Dungeness Lifeboat Station on [email protected] or the RNLI’s Volunteering Team on 01202 663346 or by email on [email protected]

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.