Last staffed lifeboat to be volunteer-led - RNLI

RNLI/Nigel Millard An orange and blue lifeboat, with a member of crew using some rescue equipment. The photo is taken from within the waves. There is a blue sky in the background.RNLI/Nigel Millard
Humber RNLI's all weather lifeboat, Severn-class Pride of the Humber

The RNLI's last remaining staffed lifeboat station is to become "predominantly volunteer-led", bosses said.

RNLI Humber, which moved from Spurn Point in East Yorkshire to Grimsby in June 2023, was the last lifeboat station in the country to be led by a full crew of paid staff.

In line with other RNLI stations, there will be some paid roles available at Grimsby, such as a coxswain or mechanic, the charity said, adding all other roles would be filled by volunteers.

Anna Heslop, the charity's regional operations lead, said volunteering was “at the heart of the RNLI’s achievements", and said the organisation is "excited to be able to offer new volunteering opportunities to our communities in Grimsby".

Prior to 2023, the lifeboat station had been based at Spurn Point - a peninsula that extends into the mouth of the Humber Estuary - for 213 years.

The RNLI said at the time of the move that ageing infrastructure meant it was no longer commercially viable – or the best use of public donations – to continue operations from Spurn Point.

Those who wish to apply for volunteer opportunities can do so via the RNLI's website.

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