Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and train volunteers while ensuring lifeboat readiness for rescue missions.
- Company: Join the RNLI, a dedicated team saving lives at sea.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 26 days leave, pension scheme, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Maritime qualifications and boat handling experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
Salary: £34,893 to £41,050 (dependent on experience)
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Location: The Lizard, Cornwall, England
Location description: This role is based at The Lizard RNLI Lifeboat Station. Ideally, you would live within 10 minutes travel of the lifeboat station.
Interview date: w/c 19th January
Closing Date: 11-01-2026
Reference: 21041
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 The Lizard 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.
Some of the benefits:
- Salary £34,893 to £41,050 (dependent on experience)
- 26 days annual leave (plus Bank Holiday days)
- Outstanding pension scheme
- Life Insurance
- Health and dental cash plan
Your role: 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 ALB Tamar 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
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. As this is a sea-going appointment, you will need to satisfy the Institution's medical and eyesight standards.
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.
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.
Coxswain - The Lizard in Helston employer: RNLI
Contact Detail:
RNLI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Coxswain - The Lizard in Helston
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the RNLI and its mission. Familiarise yourself with their values and recent initiatives. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their lifesaving team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your boat handling skills! If you can, get some time on the water before your interview. Being able to demonstrate your experience and confidence in adverse conditions will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former RNLI staff and volunteers. They can provide insights into the role and the culture at The Lizard Lifeboat Station. Plus, a personal connection can sometimes give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and serious about joining the RNLI team.
We think you need these skills to ace Coxswain - The Lizard in Helston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for saving lives at sea shine through. We want to see how much you care about the RNLI's mission and how your experiences align with our values.
Be Specific About Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your relevant maritime qualifications and boat handling experience. We’re looking for specifics that demonstrate your ability to handle a boat in adverse conditions, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your application to the Coxswain role. Mention how your leadership qualities and interpersonal skills can contribute to our team at The Lizard Lifeboat Station. We love seeing applicants who understand what we do!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply via our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our lifesaving team at the RNLI.
How to prepare for a job interview at RNLI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your maritime qualifications and boat handling experience. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've demonstrated your skills, especially in adverse conditions. This will show that you’re not just qualified but also experienced.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Coxswain, you'll need to lead and motivate volunteers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or trained others in the past. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how you build relationships within a team.
✨Understand the RNLI Values
Familiarise yourself with the RNLI's core values: trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable. Be prepared to explain how you embody these values in your work and how they align with your personal ethos.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the lifeboat station. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you. Think about asking about training opportunities or community engagement initiatives.