Volunteer

By joining the CLI you can contribute to marine safety in a variety of ways. We are constantly looking for individuals to serve as society members or to become trained crews for our vessels.

The CLI has no paid positions.

Volunteer

Can you help the Canadian Lifeboat Institution (CLI)? We are all volunteers, and everyone is welcome. There are two primary ways that you can help us: join as a crew member (must also join the society), or become a society member only.

All crew and society members are entitled to access our restricted-access monthly newsletters, packed full of information. They also get to attend specific events not open to the public.

Crew member

Crew members come from all walks of life and may not have a marine background. Our crew includes coxswains, engineers, and deck crew. We train dedicated volunteers on how to safely operate our vessels and provide them with specific search and rescue skills.

To become a CLI crew member, we require the following:

    • Be a minimum of 18 years old
    • Able to commit to regular training (both classroom and on-water). As SAR skills are diminishable, you must be able to commit to a minimum of four training sessions per month. We meet every Thursday from 18:45 – 21:15 and Saturdays from 08:30 – 12:30 for training sessions. Other events happen at different hours.
    • Have a reasonable level of fitness as SAR tasks can be physically demanding
    • Have or be able to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator’s Certificate (PCOC)
    • Have or be able to obtain a Restricted Radio Operator’s Certificate (ROC-M). We can recommend training providers if required.
    • Have or are able to obtain a Transport Canada Candidate Document Number (CDN)
    • Be able to pass a criminal records check to assist in any City of Delta or Emergency Management BC (EMBC) taskings. This process may involve fingerprinting for the vulnerable sector requirements.
    • Be willing to buy your uniform and accouterments as prescribed by us
    • Join the society at an annual cost of $50 per year (this fee includes your insurance)

Once you have been crew for a while, we will provide further Transport Canada-approved training, including Small Non-Pleasure Domestic Vessel Basic Safety (SDV-BS) (the old Marine Emergency Duties MED-A3), and Marine Basic First Aid with CPR / AED. Other certifications may be added depending on your crew level.

We also encourage interested crew to obtain their amateur radio certificate.

We operate a 6-month probationary period for all new crew members.

Note: Due to COVID-19, the CLI may operate its vessels with a limited number of crew members that may require wearing masks inside the cabin and have at least 2 vaccine shots. Current public health orders will dictate our requirements.

Note: At all times, the CLI has zero tolerance towards drug and alcohol abuse, including cannabis. You will not be allowed to train or participate in any vessel operations if you show signs of impairment (either from drugs or alcohol). Transport Canada Ship Safety Bulletin 12/1208 Legalization of cannabis in Canada and vessel operation deals with this subject.

Note: The CLI has zero tolerance for bullying and / or harassment. We operate in a harassment-free workplace.

Society member

Non-crew society members are very important to us. They may help with fundraising, finance, maintenance, and public relations, or may just want to be associated with a marine safety organization. Whatever the case, we would really like to have you as a member. The annual cost is $20 and can be paid by one of the following methods:

Volunteer obligation

Volunteers agree by the bylaws of the Canadian Lifeboat Institution (thereafter known as the Institution)and the operational policies,  and the following conditions will guide their relationship when providing services to the public to achieve the rescue of mariners in distress and need, and prevent accidents at sea.

The Institution agrees to ensure that:

  • The Institute will invest in regular training courses to bring the members up to the required Lifeboat crew standards
  • The member is to be fully aware of the responsibilities and duties of all on board a lifeboat and to be able to use and maintain all systems and tools on the lifeboat to achieve the service objectives
  • They will provide insurance protection covering the member while engaged in authorized activities
  • Ensure members are kept informed of Institution guidelines and other information needed by members to properly undertake authorized activities;
  • The crewmember will only be expected to perform tasks that they have been trained in, unless supervised; and
  • Ensure that the lifeboat is operated in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada, the Canada Labour Code, WorkSafe BC, and to follow the operating standards of the Institution.

The member agrees to:

  • Volunteer time to be given on the Delta and Fraser lifeboats for practical training: Up to two Thursdays from 18;30-21:45 and up to two Saturday mornings from 08:30-12:30 in each calendar month to keep up the knowledge gained during the courses. During the winter, Tuesdays are set aside for ZOOM training as well. Volunteer time must include Lifeboat deployments and refits.
  • Accumulate up to 200 Volunteer hours per calendar year. (Income Tax pays $6000 for SAR Volunteers)
  • Obey any legal instruction and standing order given by the Lifeboat Coxswain to whom they are tasked to ensure that the service is safely accomplished;
  • Perform all assigned tasks in a safe and professional manner
  • Participate in the Institution training plan as identified as necessary for safe and effective conduct of Search and Rescue activities and for Institution advancement
  • Participate in the maintenance of the lifeboat;
  • To abide by the requirements of the Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada, the Canada Labour Code, WorkSafe BC, City of Delta Emergency Program, BC Emergency Management, and the operating standards of the Institution
  • To act in a manner that brings credit to the institution
  • To wear any identifying insignia approved by the institution; and
  • To participate in fundraising and promotional activities when required by the Institution

If you wish to join, please fill out the form below:

Membership application form

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