Coxswain - Peterhead

RNLI; Peterhead; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £35,853 to £42,181 (dependent)

26 days’ annual leave

Competitive pension scheme

Life Insurance

Job summary

RNLI seeks a Coxswain at Peterhead Lifeboat Station. This seagoing command role requires leading a crew, responding to pager calls, and ensuring vessel readiness and regulatory compliance.

You will develop volunteers, uphold RNLI training standards, and coordinate with area operations while maintaining the Tamar Class lifeboat and equipment. A valid Yachtmaster Offshore and proven boat handling are essential.

Qualifications

• Essential: RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Power) or equivalent (Commercially endorsed).
• Desirable: RNLI OCF for ALB afloat mechanic and Command of machinery operational pass out (or ability to work towards).
• Computer literate - basic understanding of Microsoft systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead lifeboat crew and command lifeboats on passage and trials as required.
• Ensure station training, crew progression, and RNLI competence standards are met.
• Maintain the Tamar Class All Weather lifeboat and associated equipment ready for service.
• Provide assurance to RNLI management regarding crew, lifeboat, and equipment availability.
• Oversee compliance with internal and external regulations and liaise with Area Operations Manager.

Skills

Leadership

Boat handling

Navigation principles

IRPCS

People development

Driving licence

Education

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Power) or equivalent

RNLI OCF for ALB Coxswain (or ability to work towards)

IOSH/NEBOSH

Instructor training or Train the Instructor experience

Tools

Microsoft systems

Job description

About Us

Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. There is an opportunity for a Coxswain to join our team at Peterhead Lifeboat Station. To be part of this team you’ll be someone whose resilience and leadership skills are as well-developed as your ability to handle a boat in adverse sea conditions.

About Us

Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. There is an opportunity for a Coxswain to join our team at Peterhead Lifeboat Station. To be part of this team you’ll be someone whose resilience and leadership skills are as well-developed as your ability to handle a boat in adverse sea conditions.

The benefits

• Salary £35,853 to £42,181 (dependent on experience)
• 26 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holiday days)
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life Insurance

Your role

This is a seagoing command role and will require the ability to respond to a pager when on call. The primary function is to carry out Coxswain duties at Peterhead lifeboat station in order to maintain operational availability and compliance with internal and external regulations.

In addition to leading a team, in often challenging conditions afloat and developing others in training as well as other lifeboat duties, a Coxswain is expected to support the station to meet the required station management standards.

They are also responsible for providing the required assurance to RNLI management, ensuring the crew, lifeboat and equipment are always available. The Coxswain will head up station training and crew progression to ensure resilience is in place. They will be responsible for compliance with internal and external regulations and responsible to the Area Operations Manager.

You will be expected to command lifeboats on passage and trials as and when required. In time the hope would be for the Coxswain to train to and maintain required level of competence and currency to operate as an afloat mechanic also.

The Coxswain supports the full range of volunteer roles at the station both seagoing volunteers and others. This role contributes to the operational assurance of the lifeboat station by providing feedback and support to the local and regional operations teams. Much of your time will be divided between ensuring the Station, the Tamar Class All Weather lifeboat and associated equipment are maintained ready for service, as well as training and assessing volunteer crew members to the RNLI’s competence standards.

You will need to have experience in the following areas:

• Experience of fulfilling all elements of an RNLI Coxswain role previously (or demonstrate the ability to develop your skills to the required level in the near future)
• Relevant maritime qualifications to complement your verifiable marine experience (e.g. RYA Yachtmaster)
• Demonstrable boat handling experience
• Sound working knowledge of navigation principles and IRPCS
• Knowledge and experience of the operation, maintenance and repair of marine diesel engines would be desirable, as would the ability and capacity to develop skills in this aspect of the role

About You

You’ll have the ability to build effective relationships with volunteers at the lifeboat station, the supporters locally and RNLI staff beyond while acting as an ambassador for the station and the RNLI within the community.

• Excellent leadership qualities
• Ability to motivate and maximise people’s potential
• Sound interpersonal skills

Qualifications Required

Essential: RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Power) or equivalent (Commercially endorsed).

Computer literate - a basic understanding and knowledge of Microsoft systems and associated software.

Desirable: RNLI OCF for ALB coxswain (or ability to work towards)

RNLI OCF for ALB afloat mechanic and Command of machinery operational pass out (or ability to work towards)

IOSH /NEBOSH

RYA Instructor/ IMO Train the Instructor or relevant training experience.

Accommodation can be discussed for a candidate currently living in or outside of the area.

This post requires a valid driving licence.

Safeguarding and referencing

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include reference checks at offer stage and relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.