Jamie Cross has recently joined the crew at RNLI Rye Harbour
What made you decide to be a volunteer at RNLI Rye Harbour?
I was brought up to respect the sea: my dad was a surfer in South Africa and a diver in the navy. But when I lived in Brighton, I realised many people haven’t been taught that respect is necessary to stay safe, especially if you only go in a handful of times a year.
I’d be relaxing on the beach, and find myself keeping an eye on people, thinking “that paddle boarder has gone out too far” or “there’s a rip tide just there”. And so, it started to occur to me I could do something to help, and the RNLI came to mind. I did try to join in Brighton, but I lived too far away from the marina. So when I was thinking of moving back to my home town, I knew then that I would apply; and here we are.
Has your family got connections to the RNLI?
No, it hasn’t but my father, grandfather and great grandfather were in the British and South African navies, so there’s certainly a nautical theme.
You are shore crew at the moment. Do you aspire to be boat crew?
100%. I want to keep learning and if it works out and I can get there, I’d love to be a helm. I like a challenge and to feel I’m moving forward.
What skills have your learned already?
Teamwork is the foundation that makes the RNLI so successful, so although not a skill as such, I’ve learnt I can rely on the Rye crew; everyone has had nothing but patience and encouragement since day one. I’ve also learnt about pyrotechnics, navigation, and rope-handling. I’m booked on the “emergency procedures” course in Poole in February, and I can’t wait to do that.
What do you do as a daytime job and how does that fit around volunteering and being available for a shout?
I work remotely for a Tanzanian safari company, so I’m only a few minutes from the boathouse and can be on call during the week when other crew members are at work. I arrange quite complex safari trips and occasionally get to go out there. As long as I keep in touch with my clients and they’re happy, then my working hours can be fairly flexible.
What three words describe you?
Ha! It depends on who you ask! But I hope… approachable, observant, enthusiastic.
What characteristics and traits do you think useful to be part of a volunteering crew at a lifeboat station?
You’ve got be dedicated; you can learn as much as you like, but if you’re not turning up to shouts, then you won’t get the chance to harness all that you’ve learnt. Being a good communicator is important too, not only with your crew, but when under pressure, as you might be dealing with someone who needs reassurance, or someone might get angry in a tense situation, and you need to stay calm. Constructive feedback is vital for moving forward in your training: you’re going to make mistakes, so when someone sees you not doing something right, take that on board.
Where is your favourite place?
Cape Town.
If you could do any job for a day, what would you choose?
I’d like to work at a wildlife rehabilitation centre, probably in Tanzania or Kenya.
What do you do to keep fit?
I go to the gym a few times a week, and I like to swim in the pool and the sea. I go to gigs and festivals and love dancing to music as well.
Volunteering is the backbone of the RNLI and Rye Harbour lifeboat station is looking for more crew to join the team:
Shore crew
Boat crew
Head launchers
Tractor drivers
This is an exciting opportunity to receive world-class training, learn new skills, meet new friends and Save Lives at Sea. The Rye Harbour lifeboat crew is a dedicated group of men and women all working together for a common cause and the volunteers are very welcoming to new recruits.
If you are interested to know more you can email: rye-harbour@rnli.org.uk
Or phone 01797 223693 and leave us a message. We promise to get back to you as soon as possible.
Or best of all, pop into the station on Sunday mornings or Monday evenings from 6pm onwards to see how we work and to meet the crew.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .