Welcome to the Maritime Volunteer Service

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Volunteering Award 2012

The MBE for Volunteer Groups

• To train people in nautical and maritime skills.
• Assist at maritime events throughout the country.
• Provide a support emergency service both afloat and ashore in times need.

We have over 400 members in more than 30 Units around the coasts and estuaries of the United Kingdom. Each unit meets weekly for training which is put into practice afloat using a range of craft including powerful RIBs, launches, dories, purpose made rescue craft and even offshore training ships. One unit has even purchased a hovercraft to provide safety cover in shallow waters and mud banks.

You can read about our latest News

Read the Chief Volunteer Officer's Welcome

• RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship Course
• RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
• RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Course
• RYA Diesel Engine Course
• RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate Course
• RYA Radar Course

• Safety at Sea
• First Aid - achieving Elementary, Appointed Person and MCA qualifications
• Fire Fighting
• Establish and Maintain Radio Communications
• Launch and Recovery of Boats
• Operation of Inboard and Outboard Motors
• Boat Handling
• Vessel Repair and Maintainance
• Chart Work and Navigation including use of navigation equipment
• Emergency Response such as polutions, incidents and afloat patrols
• Operations room skills including Command and Control
• Use of meteorological information
• Operation of craft electrical systems including fault diagnosis and rectification
• Large craft engines and auxiliary systems
• Control of berthing and berthing parties
• Small ship command and handling
• Deck and Engineering watch keeping
• Beach Master

Looking to the future, we intend to ensure that the term “Maritime Volunteer” is widely known and understood with each MVS Unit an intrinsic part of the lives, hearts and minds of their local community.