Salary: £35,853 to £42,181 (dependent on experience)
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time
Location: Salcombe, Devon, England
Location description: This role is based at Salcombe Lifeboat Station. Ideally, you would live within 10 minutes’ travel of the lifeboat station.
Interview date: To be confirmed
Closing Date: 27-07-2026
Reference: 21733
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 Salcombe 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)
- Outstanding 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 Salcombe 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, the 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 Atlantic A85 Inshore 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.
So, if you are ready for your next exciting challenge as a Coxswain and if you consider yourself to be someone who is a natural leader who can inspire and motivate a team of dedicated people, then please apply via the button shown.
This post requires a valid driving licence.
Safeguarding
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 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
Salary description
£35853.00 - £42181.00 per year