The presentation will introduce you to the MVS.
It
will
provide
information
to
enable
you
to
decide
if
this Charity is the right one for you.
Details
regarding
the
charity
will
cover
the
subjects
shown in the list.
We
welcome
any
questions
0n
the
responsibilities
or
expectations required from a Volunteer.
INTRODUCTION
The
Maritime
Volunteer
service
was
registered
as
a
UK
charity on 1st April 1994.
The
aim
is
to;advance
the
education
and
training
of
our
members
and
the
public
in
all
aspects
of
maritime
skills
and
the
protection
and
preservation
of
life
and
property
primarily,
but
not
exclusively,
within
the
maritime environment.
It
has
more
than
20
Units
around
the
country,
with
over
400
members
providing
training
towards
nationally
and
internationally
recognized
standards
for
marine
qualifications
whilst
serving
local
communities
especially in times of need or emergency.
The
number
of
MVS
Units
around
the
UK
fluctuates
and
(January
2026)
numbered
more
than
20.
To
see
more details select this link to the MVS website.
https://www.mvs.org.uk/about-us/
Littlehampton
Unit
started
in
2019
to
assist
Littlehampton
Harbour
master
by
completing
operations using an Avon rib named ‘Peregrine’.
We
are
the
only
MVS
unit
in
West
Sussex
and
is
based
at
the
Littlehampton
Sea
Cadets
Head
Quarters,
meeting
every
Monday
evening
at
7pm
to
9pm
for
formal
training
or
boat
handling
if
weather
and
tides
permitting.
Our
objectives
are
to
recruit
and
train
members
in
maritime
skills,
provide
safety
patrols
for
local
maritime authorities and
offer
experience
and
training
for
youth
and
community groups.
To know more select:
DETAILS
Originally
the
Royal
Navy
Mine
Watching
Service
between
1952
to
1963
was
a
civilian
service
administered
by
the
royal
navy
under
admiralty
control.
This
was
superseded,
from
1963
until
1994,
by
the
Royal
Naval
Auxiliary
Service
which
was
part
of
the
Admiralty ferry crews association.
The
MVS
was
registered
as
a
charity
in
1994
and
inheriting
the
ethos
of
the
Royal
Navy
Auxiliary
service having been disbanded.
Royal Naval Mine
Watching Service
Royal Naval
Auxiliary Service
Maritime
Volunteer Service
One
of
the
main
objectives
of
the
MVS
charity
institution
is
to
advance
the
education
and
training
of
the
members
of
the
charity
and
the
general
public
in
all
aspects
of
marine
and
communication
skills
and knowledge.
In
this
respect
a
program
of
learning
has
been
developed and called the 'Pathway'.
The
criteria
is
divided
into
modules
reflecting
the
level of knowledge needed.
To see more detail select
TRAINING
The
original
uniform
for
MVS
members
was
based
on
that of the Royal Navy.
A
less
formal
uniform
given
to
new
members
started
in
2021
so
it
is
possible
that
you
will
see
a
mix
of
old
and new uniform styles.
There
are
2
categories
for
wear
firstly
a
formal
uniform
used
for
attending
the
unit
and
a
general
working rig.
New
members
are
provided
with
a
Cap,
Jumper,
short sleeve top, and a waterproof jacket.
To
complete
the
uniform
requirements
due
to
financial
restraints
members
are
asked
to
provide
for
themselves
with
black
trousers
for
unit
visits,
black
trousers for working, white shirt and black boots.
Optional
items
to
consider
buying
are
a
life
jacket
and a knife.
Joining
the
MVS
provides
numerous
opportunities
for
personal
development
and
community
activity.
Members
can
start
or
improve
their
nautical
skills
which
in
turn
can
then
be
shared
with
other
members
or the general public.
It
provides
a
relaxed
environment
and
comradely
as
part
of
a
like-minded
team
with
opportunities
for
an
enjoyable
experience
on
the
water
and
in
the
classroom.
With
more
older
members
there
is
access
to years of combined knowledge and experience.
The
MVS
can
provide
a
worthwhile
activity
benefiting
the
local
community
by
helping
to
improve
safety
at
sea for those having or intending to own a boat.
At
a
time
of
marked
decline
in
public
awareness
of
all
things
maritime
when
we
were
always
known
as
a
seagoing
nation
the
MVS
holds
the
candle
to
our
historic past.
Joining
the
MVS
introduces
you
to
like-minded
persons there to help you.
It is great that you are interested in our charity.
So
we
can
help
to
guide
you
deciding
what
branch
of
our
service
you
would
best
suitable
please
tell
us
about
yourself.
The
personal
details
could
include
some
or
all
of
the
following topics if you are happy to let us know.
First the name you like to be known as.
If
you
have
or
had
an
occupation
that
you
feel
is
relevant
to
a
mainly
focused
marine
environment
this
would be helpful but not necessary to join.
Any
formal
qualifications
you
have
that
might
be
helpful
to the charity or help towards your personal development.
If
you
have
any
hobbies
there
may
well
be,
within
the
Unit
you
join,
someone
with
similar
interests
that
we
can
introduce you to them.
Of
course
any
boating
experience
will
give
you
a
head
start
and
may
alleviate
some
of
the
basic
training
required
before going afloat.
Lastly,
many
of
our
volunteers
have
had
previous
volunteering
experience
with
other
charities
perhaps
you
have as well.
Members
are
expected
to
accept
that
as
a
charity
our
members
should
provide
as
much
time
as
you
would
like
to
give
and
to
try
to
attend
at
least
once
every
2
weeks.
There
is
a
commitment
to
uphold
the
standards
and
ethos
of
the
service
and
a
willingness
to
support
other members.
The
charity
cannot
exist
without
contributions
from
the members.
The
fees
are
an
annual
£20
national
subscription
which
covers
your
uniform
starter
pack,
administration
of
the
charity
and
insurance.
This
is
subject to possibly change each year.
Also
£10
a
month
for
unit
subscriptions
which
covers
the
boat
running
cost
and
for
renting
premises
to
hold training sessions.
To
be
a
member
of
any
grade
you
must
be
aged
18
or over.
There
is
no
upper
age
limit,
providing
you are
fit
to
carry out the duties for which you have volunteered.
The
following
categories
of
membership
are
as
follows.
•
List A – Operational.
•
List B – Professional & Technical.
•
List O – Operational Support.
•
List S – Unit Friends & Supporters
•
List T – Temporary
•
List C – Corporate
More information please contact HQ
e-Mail:
hq@mvs.org.uk
Tel:
01925 563620
Maritime Volunteer Service
Dallam Court. Dallam Lane, Warrington, WA2 7LT
Royal Patron and Honorary Commodore
HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO KStJ
President
The Rt Hon. The Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC PC
All
MVS
activities
must
comply
with
a
range
of
legal
regulations, specifically,
•
Our Charities Articles of Association
•
The Merchant Shipping Act 1995
•
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
•
Risk Assessments.
•
Standard Operating Procedures
•
MVS Policies and Procedures
Like
all
companies
and
charities
there
are
a
multitude
of
policies
and
procedures
that
must
be
followed
to
ensure
compliance
with
the
law
and
the
Charity
Commission standards.
On
joining
access
is
given
to
all
members
to
download
and read articles as shown in the examples below.
There
are
a
14
Trustees
to
oversee
that
declared
aims
of
the
charity
are
met,
each
one
given
a
specific
role
with corresponding responsibilities.
The
Chief
Volunteer
Officer
co-coordinates
the
delivery
of
policies
and
procedures
to
the
seven
regional volunteer officers.
Every
Units
has
an
elected
head
to
ensure
administration and training follows guidelines
There
are
various
branches
to
chose
from
within
the
MVS
namely
Seamanship,
Engineering,
Operational
Management and Community Response.
Each
specialise
on
a
different
skills
set
found
within
the marine sector.
Many
of
our
volunteers
are
interested
in
seamanship
but
those
that
prefer
engineering
or
operational
management are also catered for.
The
criteria
for
each
of
these
is
outlined
in
the
‘Pathway’
training
programme,
the
full
content
of
which is available online after joining.
A quick guide is provided which you can find
HERE