Shorehelpers

Not all volunteers crew the lifeboat. All lifeboat stations have voluntary shore helpers who help run the lifeboat station and assist with the launch and recovery of the lifeboat. Some also have important posts as part of a voluntary management team. They are all a vital part of the emergency team.

Lifeboat operations manager

A key role of the station is the lifeboat operations manager (LOM) who is responsible for managing all operational activities at the lifeboat station, authorising the launch of a lifeboat and the day-to-day management of the station.

Deputy launching authority

The deputy launching authority (DLA) acts as a deputy for the lifeboat operations manager when he/she is not available.

Lifeboat press officer

Most lifeboat stations have a voluntary lifeboat press officer (LPO) who maintains a good relationship with the lifeboat station and local press, radio and TV. LPOs inform the media when there is a launch and act as a link during and immediately after a service. They help to raise public awareness of the RNLI. They are supported by divisional media relations managers and the HQ press office.

Lifeboat medical adviser

All stations have a lifeboat medical adviser (LMA) who is a local doctor and some stations have LMAs who volunteer to go to sea if medical help is needed. They also support the first aid training for crew members.

Lifeboat treasurer

The lifeboat treasurer (LT) looks after the lifeboat station’s finances and administers the payment of bills and expenses associated with the station, along with managing the local RNLI bank account.

Lifeboat visits officer

The lifeboat visits officer (LVO) is responsible for promoting the work of the lifeboat station and the RNLI to the local community and tourist population and encourages local schools, youth groups and adult organisations to visit the station when appropriate to meet the crew and see the lifeboats.

Head launcher

The head launcher or deputy head launcher is in charge of launching and recovering the lifeboat from the shore. They check that all working parts of the launching and recovery equipment are prepared for the return of the lifeboat. After the lifeboat has been recovered all items of launching gear must be ready for the next launch.

Tractor driver

A tractor driver is on call at all carriage-launched stations in the same way as the crew. They are responsible to the coxswain during a launch and drive the tractor to launch and recover the lifeboat. As well as driving the tractor the driver also maintains the tractor and washes and cleans it after being in the sea.

Winch operator

At all weather lifeboat stations where a winch is used (e.g. slipway-launched lifeboat station) a winch operator takes charge of the operation of the winch when the lifeboat is launched or hauled up, checking that the winch wire is properly rewound on the winch drum and is greased or oiled.

Hovercraft transporter driver

At some inshore rescue hovercraft stations where a hovercraft transporter is used to enable launches from alternative sites, the hovercraft transporter driver is responsible for driving the transporter for both exercises and launches. He/she must make sure that the hovercraft is properly secured to the transporter before moving the transport flat bed and also make sure that the hovercraft is completely freed before the commander gives the ‘all clear’ to launch. As well as driving the transporter the driver ensures that the transporter is washed and cleaned after each use and the engine is run at regular intervals.