The crew

Ordinary people doing an extraordinary job

Lifeboat crews are mostly volunteers, who come from all walks of life, and give up their time and comfort to carry out rescues and save lives at sea on the lifeboats.

With over 4,800 lifeboat crew members in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, of which over 340 are women, lifeboat crews are dedicated and make a major commitment – which could ultimately include risking their life. They respond at a moment's notice, no matter where they are or what they are doing when the pager goes off. Crews are regularly called away from their families, their beds and their work, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Often they’ll leave a place of comfort to brave the cold and wet in situations that test their skill, strength and courage. Their lifesaving work is essential, often difficult and sometimes dangerous.

Coxswain

The coxswain is in charge of the all weather lifeboat and is in command when at sea. He/she is responsible for all the operations connected with launching the lifeboat, ensuring the safety of all the lifeboat crew on board, and it is the coxswain's duty to use every effort to safeguard and rescue the lives of those in danger. At the end of a rescue the coxswain ensures that the lifeboat is ready for service and that the equipment is all in order.

Most coxswains are volunteers although there are a few full-time coxswains. The all weather lifeboat has a second coxswain who acts as a deputy if the coxswain is not available.

Mechanic

Every all weather lifeboat station has a full-time mechanic who is responsible for maintaining the lifeboat’s engines and all the machinery at an all weather lifeboat station. The mechanic has a detailed planned maintenance programme to carry out; over a period of time every piece of machinery is checked and maintained. At sea the mechanic checks that the engines and other machinery are all working properly.

All weather lifeboat stations also have assistant mechanics to take over when the mechanic is not available.

Helmsman

The helmsman is a volunteer who is in charge of the inshore lifeboat during launching, at sea and when it is being recovered to make sure it is ready for the next rescue. The helmsman is responsible for the safety of the crew on board and for everything that happens during a rescue. At inshore lifeboat stations the engines and machinery are maintained by the volunteer crew members.

Hovercraft commander

The inshore rescue hovercraft (IRH) commander is a volunteer who is in charge of the hovercraft during launching, when at sea and also at the end of a rescue when the hovercraft is being recovered to make sure it is ready for the next rescue. The duties of a commander are the same as for a helmsman at an inshore lifeboat station.

Crew members

Crew members on all weather and inshore lifeboats are all volunteers. Anybody can become a crew member providing they are physically fit, can learn the necessary skills and can work as part of a team. They work with the coxswain or helmsman and carry out duties to operate the lifeboat during rescues and also ensure the safety of the people that have been rescued.

The commitment of crew members isn't only measured in the time spent involved in rescues. Increasingly, new equipment and faster boats also means that regular training programmes account for much of the time. This training includes boat handling, radio communications, first aid, navigation and radar training.

The number of crew on a lifeboat varies according to the type of lifeboat; generally three on an inshore lifeboat and six on an all weather lifeboat, including the coxswain or helmsman.

Want to volunteer as a crew member? Find out more here.