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Could You Be A Yarmouth Lifeboat Station Lifesaver?

Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat station is looking for new volunteers who will play a key role in saving lives at sea.

The station, which covers the western end of the Solent, 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.

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.

Yarmouth RNLI. Photo by Alex Pimm

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:

"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.

"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."

Volunteers who join the RNLI receive world-class training, both on station and at the RNLI’s purpose-built headquarters in Poole.

Maritime experience is an advantage in both roles, but more important is experience in managing people and bringing the best out of them.

Further details and a link to apply can be found online.

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