MARITIME VOLUNTEER SERVICE

SERVING THE MARITIME COMMUNITY IN LONDON

Registered Charity No. 1048454

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About The MVS

The MVS is a national civilian charity dedicated to maintaining and fostering of maritime skills and knowledge in the UK. The Maritime Volunteer Service was established in 1994 following the disbandment of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNXS).

The aims of the MVS are:

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.

Owing to the hard work, skills and persistence of its volunteers, the MVS has gained acknowledgment from the Royal Navy and the support of many maritime authorities. As a mark of this recognition, the MVS has been awarded its own, unique Red Ensign.

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.

Most volunteers are uniformed members of the MVS, who attend Unit training and events on a regular basis. Some individuals have used the MVS as a stepping stone towards a career in the Merchant Navy, while others have joined the MVS as instructors or mentors to pass on their experience and skills gained in the maritime industry. The MVS offers an insight into the activities associated with professional seafaring including seamanship, navigation, marine engineering and communications.

WWW.MVS.ORG.UK