Rye Harbour lifeboat station is looking for more volunteers, including crew and land based staff. People aged 17 and over are warmly welcomed, if they live or work within 10 minutes call out. Open days will take place at the lifeboat station on Sunday morning November 1, 10am-12pm and on Monday evening November 2, 6-8pm.
Richard Tollett, the Operations Manager, stressed there was no need for sea going experience: “Only 10 percent of RNLI’s new recruits come with professional maritime experience. Our lifeboat men and women come from all backgrounds.”
The Rye Harbour lifeboat station has a noble reputation in maritime history. In 1927, the Mary Stanford went out in terrible conditions in an attempt to save a Latvian vessel. All 17 crew members of the Mary Stanford were drowned. The bravery of those who left the shore and lost their lives in an attempt to save strangers will never be forgotten and is commemorated in a service at 3pm on November 15 at Rye Harbour’s Holy Spirit Church.
If you would like to help out this brave and strong community lifeboat, come along to the open days and see what you can do. The RNLI provides fantastic training to turn ordinary people into lifesavers and by volunteering people will gain great experience, knowledge and skills.
For those who don’t want to get involved in the lifeboat itself there are other support and fundraising opportunities with the RNLI in Rye Harbour, including events, education and selling souvenirs in the shop.
Photo : John Minter