Lifeboat Crew Members (RNLI)
Before acceptance as a lifeboat crew member candidates must meet the standards of eyesight and colour vision as required by the Institution’s Committee of Management. The eyesight test will be carried out locally using the Institution’s form MR4. The purpose of testing corrected vision is to exclude coincident eye disease and does not imply that the wearing of aids to vision is necessarily approved.
The visual acuity standards are as follows:-
Better Eye Other Eye
Pre-enrolment
Uncorrected (Unaided) 6/24 6/36
Capable of correction to minimum 6/6 6/9
Serving Crew
Uncorrected (Unaided) 6/60 <6/60
Capable of correction to minimum 6/6 6/9
Any crew member whose unaided vision is worse than 6/12 , 6/12 must wear visual aids (i.e. RNLI service spectacles or contact lenses) on lifeboat duty. It is a condition of service that the crew member will only be allowed afloat when the visual aid is being worn.
Spectacles
Both all-weather and inshore lifeboat crew members who need to wear aids to meet the standard above, while on lifeboat duty, will be required to wear RNLI service spectacles provided by the Institution or contact lenses. Non-contact lens wearers must carry a spare pair of RNLI service spectacles with them in case of emergency. RNLI service spectacles (with or without sideshields) will be provided by the RNLI without charge to the crew member, through existing arrangements with Norville Optical Company.
Contact lenses
Contact lens wear is permitted in lifeboats at sea and contact lens wearers may choose to wear their lenses or RNLI service spectacles, but must in any event carry a spare pair of RNLI service spectacles with them in case of emergency.
Frequency of eyesight tests
Serving crew members are required to furnish satisfactory eyesight reports every five years from the date of their first enrolment or appointment. However, in some circumstances such reports may be required more frequently.
Colour Vision
Candidates will be required to pass a colour vision test using Ishihara plates, but in cases of dispute or uncertainty, applicants may be asked to undertake an MCA (or Department of Marine in the Republic of Ireland) lantern test for colour vision. In such cases arrangements will be made with the Personnel Department at RNLI headquarters
