Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat jobs and careers

About Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat

PLIRB is a voluntary lifeboat service, serving the coastline and inland waters between Hastings and Rye. Our mission is the preservation of life at sea, on the coastline and inland waters. We are not affiliated to RNLI or HM Coastguard but work in close collaboration with their local units as well as all other emergency services. As one of approximately 75 independent lifeboat stations across the UK, we are entirely self-managed and self-funded. We receive no public or centralised funding – we raise funds through donations, fundraising activities, grant applications and our Sea Shanty group – the Pett Slip Buoys. All operational costs, development projects and boat/vehicle assets we have to work hard to secure funds for. Support We operate 24/7 and 365 days a year. We are formally tasked by UK Coastguard in the same way as RNLI services. We are extremely proud that our average launch time is 15-20 minutes from the time of paging. This is thanks to our local volunteer base who are on call day and night. We operate two RIB boats, a 5.4metre Zodiac Pro and a 3.8metre Arancia surf RIB. These are the ideal assets to cope with the varied and hazardous coastline – we can navigate close under the cliffs, launch in low and high tide and cover the entire Rye Bay stretch. We train twice a week, all year round. All volunteers receive a rigorous training programme and have the opportunity to undertake professional qualifications (radio license, powerboat courses, sea survival, casualty care and first aid). Volunteers can decide how they contribute – boat crew, beach/base crew, events and fundraising or administrative. We welcome Duke of Edinburgh scheme students who spend several months training with us to learn vital skills, gain experience and build confidence.