Kingston & Surrey MVS  
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The Kingston & Surrey Unit of the national Maritime Volunteer Service was formed in September 2019. The MVS mission is to ‘serve your community with our people’ and in Kingston & Surrey we do this by sending our volunteers out on river safety patrols on every weekend, when the river is at its busiest.

 Our objectives are to:

• Provide a reassuring presence on the river and be on standby to help as needed

• Promote water safety on the water and through water safety education in local primary and
  secondary schools 

• Provide guard and safety boat support for watersports and ceremonial events on the river

• To engage proactively with and support local emergency services (Police, Fire, RNLI)

• To support and work under the supervision of the Non-tidal Thames Harbourmaster (Environment
   Agency

• We will (and do) pull people out of the river if needed.

Our target audience is anyone who loves the River Thames and enjoys going on it or in it, or who simply enjoys walking along the bank. A major concern over the last two years has been the hundreds of children who descend on the river to cool off on hot days, some of whom behave poorly and put others under peer pressure to do the same. Experience has shown there is little point in telling teenagers not to go in the water, so we now place a particular emphasis on water safety education.
 Photo gallery for Kingston MVS
 F A Q 

What is the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS)?

The Maritime Volunteer Service is a recognised national maritime training organisation, and a UK registered charity with more than 25 units around the country serving local communities in whatever way is most useful. The MVS promotes the protection and preservation of life and property within the maritime environment. You can find out more on: https://www.mvs.org.uk/

What is your operational area?

We operate mainly on the Kingston & Sunbury reach between Sunbury Lock and Teddington Lock which is the busiest on the non-tidal Thames for watersports, recreational boating, and tourism. However, on occasion we will go upstream as far as Egham in Surrey.

What does a volunteer crew member do? 

Three or four crew members is the ideal number for a patrol on Blue Light for comfort and to ensure that everyone has a job to do. Two or three crew members for Surrey Volunteer. All crew members will  be encouraged to engage with the public as well take turns to helm (steer) the vessels and handle the ropes when coming alongside or leaving a mooring, or going through a lock. 

We will regularly talk to river users on the water and passers-by on the riverbank and offer advice and practical assistance where we can, but we will not challenge or confront individuals. In cases of anti-social behaviour, crew members will observe, educate if appropriate and report, but not intervene. 

What do we do if we observe an incident? 

Our strapline is ‘eyes along the river’ and as well as engaging with and helping people we will always contact the relevant authorities where necessary. Any significant incidents are recorded in our logbook and details will be shared with partner agencies as appropriate.

If we observe a serious incident taking place, we will assist where it is safe to do so and where necessary we will contact the appropriate emergency service. In the case of a person in difficulties in the water, this will be the Fire Brigade, who will may task RNLI Teddington or another emergency service. We will remain at the scene until we can brief, handover and if necessary, assist those emergency services.

Whilst our boats are not designated rescue boats as such, we will always provide assistance to anybody requiring it and we are trained and carry equipment to help persons in distress in the water. However, we will not enter the water ourselves and any assistance will be provided from our boat or the river bank.

Do I need any previous boating experience? 

No. We will teach you all skills you need on the water, both boatmanship and wider patrol skills. You will have the opportunity to gain a RYA Level 2 Powerboat qualification, if you wish. This is an internationally recognised qualification for hiring and operating powerboats.

How much time would I have to commit as a volunteer? 

We would ask you to do two half day patrols a month at weekends, or more if you can spare the time, You will be able to choose which shifts you want to do, using a simple internet programme called ‘MVS Assemble’. 

When do you go out on the River?  

The weekends between Easter and the end of October are by far the busiest times on the River and when most incidents happen. So, we plan to be on patrol on the water on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings until dusk during this period. We may arrange additional patrols on evenings when heat wave conditions are forecast (over 25 degrees C) and we know that many people will want to go swimming. Water and alcohol can be a dangerous mix. 

Do you have to wear a uniform? 

Yes. All new volunteers are issued with a starter uniform pack of Polo Shirt, Fleece and Baseball Cap. Once they are confirmed as active volunteers they are encouraged to purchase a full uniform of a pilot shirt, woollen pullover with epaulettes, black trousers and shoes

How much does it cost to join ?

The current Membership fee is £80, of which a significant part goes to the National MVS to cover organisation costs whilst the rest is retained by the Kingston & Surrey Unit to contribute towards the cost of operating our boats. You will also need to buy your full uniform when you are ready, which is available at a reasonable cost via our approved suppliers. Whilst all our internal training is included you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of any external certificated courses that we provide, such as the RYA Powerboat L2 and First Aid L2, though we are usually able to get these as substantial discounts on standard courses.oat L2 and First Aid

How do I join ?

Use the Contact Us section below to get in touch. d

Our vessels

We have two vessels:
Surrey Volunteer, a 4m open rigid launch was funded through donations from Surrey County Council and the River Thames Society (RTS).  

Blue Light, a historic ex Police Launch built in 1951 with Perkins 130HP diesel engine. She is 10 metres (30’) long with an enclosed cabin.  Blue Light’s permanent mooring is at Teddington, just downstream from Teddington Lock on the tidal Thames. 

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 Blue Light in service with the Nottingham Police on the River Trent

Notices

The following notices are now to be found on the ThamesRUG8  Website 


Voluntary Code of Practice on the non-tidal Thames 

Voluntary-Code-of-Practice (thamesrug8.org.uk)


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