Below is a first hand account of a recent weekend training trip on-board MVS Appleby and is a good indicator of the fun you could be having if you join the Maritime Volunteer Service.
The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) is a unique charity in the non-profit sector
The MVS was founded in 1994 with the following aims:
- To stimulate the interest of volunteers from all walks of life in maritime affairs.
- To provide high quality training in maritime skills to recognised standards.
- To be an interesting and useful spare time activity that is fun, sometimes exciting but with a strong emphasis on safety at all times
- To maintain a corps of trained volunteers capable of supporting maritime authorities ashore and afloat at maritime events or emergencies.
Having started with nothing but enthusiasm, the MVS now has over 500 members in 35 Units around the coasts and estuaries of the United Kingdom. Each Unit meets weekly for classroom training which is put into practice afloat on other evenings and at weekends using a range of craft from dories, through launches, powerful RIBs to an offshore training ship. One Unit – Shoreham – has even purchased a hovercraft to provide safety cover in shallow waters and mud banks.
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.
We are totally self-funding and rely on donations from individuals and from other organisations to achieve our aims.
MVS and The Big Freeze
Once again the Maritime Volunteer Service showed it’s credentials as an essential support service.
During the recent Big Freeze that recently gripped the nation Sam Nelson and Colin Thomas, both members of the Portsmouth unit, used their 4x4 vehicles to help essential workers get to and from their places of work. Sam in his Land Rover was part of transporting nurses from Gosport to Chichester Hospital for three days, whilst Colin used his Toyota Surf to ferry essential workers to and from their homes.
New MVS Weymouth Unit
Following a meeting in Weymouth on 13th January it is hoped that a nucleus of potential members may be forthcoming. If you are interested in helping re-establish a Unit in Weymouth/Portland,
or wish to become a member, please contact:
Peter Lockwood, Deputy Regional Volunteer Officer Solent (West)
01202 723703 or e-mail peterlockwood@ntlworld.com
The MVS Poole Unit is the nearest to Weymouth at the moment – check their website to see some of the activities that they get involved in on the water.