Could you be the next hero saving lives at sea?

This is what you could be involved in if you decide to volunteer

The RNLI is a charity solely designed to save lives at sea.

Volunteers are based around the country, ready at all times for whatever shout they may receive.

In Portsmouth, the lifeboat station is looking for more volunteers to help save lives in and around the harbour.

Each of the 35 crew members, all volunteers, have their own pager which will alarm them as soon as they are needed at the station.

When the pager alarms crew rush down to launch at least one of two boats. Image: Writer’s own

They then rush down to the station and aim to launch at least one of two lifeboats within six minutes.

Each shout is unique and always treated very seriously — it could involve searching for a lost boat, rescuing a stranded paddle-boarder or towing a broken-down vessel.

For many of the volunteers, the task of saving lives is a far cry away from their day to day lives.

One crew member runs their own bar near the station, another is an assistant head teacher at a secondary school and one is a retired retail worker.

The station, located on Ferry Road, Southsea, is always open for more volunteers to join the team, and will welcome people from all walks of life.

If you feel you could be a great RNLI volunteer, or just want some more information, visit the RNLI website.

Could this be your office? Image: Google Earth