Portaferry RNLI is looking for new volunteer crew members to join its search and rescue service, helping to save lives at sea.
 In 2014, Portaferry RNLI launched on 24 occasions, in all weathers and at all times of the day and night, responding to calls for help from people in trouble at sea.
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The Portaferry RNLI Bluepeter V-5 in action.[/caption]
On those 24 occasions, 47 men, women and children were rescued thanks to the dedication of a small group of RNLI volunteers from the Portaferry area.
 Portaferry RNLI was established in 1980 due to the increase in pleasure boating activity and commercial traffic in Strangford Lough and its Irish Sea approaches. In 2009, a new Atlantic 85 lifeboat was placed on service and a new boathouse was constructed to accommodate the larger Atlantic 85 lifeboat.
Now they are asking you to help play a part in the work the of the volunteer Lifeboat crew at the Portaferry RNLI Station.
They need new crew members to help save lives at sea and to continue to provide a vital service to the people who use our waters for pleasure and commercial activities. The Portaferry RNLI are holding two Open Days at the station and invite anyone interested in learning more about the work of the Portaferry Lifeboat Station and its volunteer crew members to come along.
The station will be open to the public on Friday 27 February 2015 between 4.00pm and 8.00pm and on Saturday 28 February 2015 between 10.00am and 2.00pm.
 Brian Bailie, Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, is calling on anyone who may be interested in volunteering to come along to the station on one of its open days and find out more. He said: “We are looking for anyone aged 17 years and over who is willing to offer some of their free time to join what I believe to be, one of the most exhilarating and rewarding voluntary services that is out there. Every volunteer receives first class training from the RNLI and learns new skills which can benefit them in many walks of life.”
Volunteers will have to be reasonably fit, be required to take a medical and eyesight test and should live or work within six minutes traveling time from the lifeboat station.
 Anyone who feels they have the time and commitment to volunteer for the charity which is on call 24-hours a day and 365 days a year, is asked to either contact Brian at lom@portaferrylifeboat.com or call 07768 555851, or visit during one of the Open Days.
For more information on the RNLI please visit:
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.
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