Scarborough lifeboat appeals for volunteers to join inshore and shore crews

The inshore lifeboat, or ILB, is the work-horse of the RNLI, with 25 knots of speed and capable of going to sea for up to three hours at maximum speed.

It is used to search the shoreline, work with search-and-rescue helicopters and recover casualties from awkward locations. This vessel is especially good in the shore break.

It carries four crew including a helm. All are trained in first aid and can administer certain drugs and oxygen.

The land-based roles of shore crew and tractor driver are an integral part of the operational side of the station.

They make sure that the inshore and all-weather lifeboats are launched and recovered safely and swiftly, using the Tool Track for the ILB and the Shannon launch-and-recovery system (SLARS), an articulated tracked vehicle, for the Shannon.

The computerised SLARS raises and lowers parts of the carriage during the launch and recovery processes. A UK driving licence is needed.

Anyone under 65 (shore crew) or 55 (ILB) who live and work locally and feel up to a challenge should write a short CV and drop it off at the lifeboat station or email it to [email protected]