RNLI-Burnham on Crouch

02/11/2026

🛟Meet the crew Monday🛟

This week, we’re introducing Ben!

Ben joined the Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI crew in 2024 and has already achieved his Tier 1 training on our Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

Having sailed from a young age, Ben was familiar with the RNLI and fascinated by the iconic orange lifeboats seen around our coastline. He always hoped that one day he would volunteer himself, using his maritime experience to help fellow sailors during some of their most difficult moments.

Here’s what Ben has to say about his time with the RNLI:

“When life brought me to Burnham, I jumped at the opportunity to join the RNLI. Being able to share my maritime skills while learning so much from my fellow crew members has been one of the highlights of my time with the RNLI.

“One of the biggest surprises has been discovering just how much the role involves off the water. Whether it’s taking part in the annual carnival or giving talks alongside other local charities, I’ve come to realise that giving back to the community is just as important as saving lives at sea.

“None of us could do what we do without the support of our partners and families. I’m particularly grateful to my fiancée Ellie, especially when the pager wakes us up at 3am!”

Our crew brings together people with a wide range of skills, experiences and backgrounds. It’s this variety, alongside the willingness to learn from one another and support our community, that makes us stronger together.

Thank you, Ben, for giving your time and skills to help save lives at sea!

01/11/2026

All of the volunteer crew at RNLI Burnham-on-Crouch send their warmest wishes to the crew of Sheringham Lifeboat Station and the members of The Oddfellows East Anglian Group Conference today for the naming ceremony of their newly donated lifeboat.

It’s been a pleasure to have had the boat, The Oddfellows Making Friends – Helping People, an Atlantic 85, which has been on relief duty at Burnham while The Tony and Robert Britt has been away for refit.

We hope you all have a wonderful day and wish the Sheringham crew every success with their new lifeboat!

30/10/2026

Ticketed fireworks event!

29/10/2026

Congratulations to Lizzie for storming through her Teir 1 Atlantic assessment with regional assessor Anna yesterday.

Super proud of all the work you have put in since rejoining the volunteer crew after a little volunteer break.

We will hear a little more from Lizzie in the next few weeks!

26/10/2026

🛟 Meet the crew Monday 🛟

Today, we introduce Anne!

Anne is our station’s Fundraising Chair and has recently taken on a new challenge as a Trainee Launch Authority.

The RNLI has been part of Anne’s life for as long as she can remember. She recalls her first memories of the charity:

“The RNLI has been part of my life since I was five years old, when my Dad joined the crew at Port Talbot, both as their Chaplain and a boat crew member. Since then, it has very much been a family affair, fundraising over the years with my Mum and husband.”

Anne continues that family tradition through her fundraising work at Burnham on Crouch, helping to support the vital work of the RNLI.

Now, she is taking on another important role within the station as a Trainee Launch Authority. This is a crucial responsibility, as no lifeboat can launch without the authority of a Launch Authority, who assesses the conditions and ensures it is safe for the lifeboat to go afloat.

Whether the crew are heading out for training or responding to a tasking, the Launch Authority works closely with the coastguard.

From fundraising to helping get our lifeboat out on the water, Anne plays an important part in supporting our mission to save lives at sea.

Thank you, Anne, for your continued dedication to the RNLI and Burnham on Crouch Lifeboat Station!

rnli

24/10/2026

24/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club to celebrate the beginnings of Burnham on Crouch Lifeboat Station.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces, hear the memories shared and reflect on the early days of the station and the volunteers who helped shape its history.

As we celebrate 60 years of service it was a special opportunity to remember our roots and recognise the legacy of those who came before us.

Over the next few weeks, plaques will be installed on the original boathouse as a permanent reminder of the station’s beginnings and the important part it has played in our community.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make today such a memorable occasion.

20/10/2026

Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI would like to invite friends and family, past and present, to join us for a special plaque unveiling this Saturday (24th October) at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. The service will begin at 4.30pm.

This short service will be an opportunity to remember and honour the volunteers who served the RNLI when the station was based at the Royal Corinthian.

As we celebrate our 60th year of serving Burnham-on-Crouch and the surrounding waters, we are incredibly proud of our station’s history and the dedication of all those who have played a part in it. We look forward to coming together to recognise their contribution and celebrate our shared heritage.

19/10/2026

🛟 Meet the Crew Monday 🛟

Today we’re introducing Dave, one of our many Daves at the station. There were five at the last count!

Dave joined the station just as Covid was hitting, meaning his training started online, learning all the theory before getting out on the water. With no previous boating experience, it was a whole new world of learning, new skills and new challenges.

Joining a volunteer crew during a global pandemic might not have been the easiest start, but when faced with a new challenge, Dave’s only question was: “Where do I sign up?”

Here are a few words from Dave about his time with the RNLI:

“I joined the RNLI to give something back to my community and learn new skills. What I found was a fantastic team, lifelong friendships, and the chance to make a real difference when people need help most.

One of our greatest strengths is the diversity of the crew. We’re from all walks of life, with different skills and experiences, and if you ever need help, someone on the Crew WhatsApp will have the answer - it’s like having a legit superpower.

If you’ve ever considered volunteering but thought it wasn’t for you, I probably thought the same. During my time on the crew, I’ve seen ordinary people do truly extraordinary things with the right training, support and teamwork.”

Thanks, Dave, for being part of our volunteer crew and helping make a difference in our community.

Could you see yourself volunteering with the RNLI? You might be surprised by what you can achieve as part of the crew.

12/10/2026

🛟 Meet the crew Monday 🛟

This is George! George is our D Class Helm, in charge of our D Class lifeboat, ‘David and Barbara Chapman’ and is also a qualified Navigator on our Atlantic 85. Both roles highlight George’s dedication, commitment and passion for saving lives at sea.

How did George join the RNLI family?

It all started with a dog walk! George happened to stumble across the station, and with a recruitment open event taking place at just the right time, he popped in to find out more. The rest, as they say, is history!

George’s experience so far…

With over 400 hours at sea and almost 50 incidents responded to, George has already built up plenty of experience helping those in need on the water.

But what’s George’s favourite part of being a volunteer?

“I seem to be happiest whenever I end up wet! Whether that’s capsize training in Poole, sea survival in the Crouch, playing casualty at an open day, taking part in the 999 Games (which inevitably descends into a water fight! 😂), or occasionally ending up in the water on a shout.

There’s also nothing quite like the buzz of returning from a shout when the weather has really made you work for it!”

A huge thank you to George for the time, dedication and enthusiasm he brings to the crew. Every volunteer plays a vital role in helping us save lives at sea, and we’re proud to have George as part of our RNLI family!

Have you ever considered volunteering with the RNLI? You never know where one little visit might lead!