This is one of those questions that has a ‘it depends’ answer.  🙂

RADIO OPERATORS
The time commitment for radio operators is much less than for boat crew.  There is initial online and face-to-face study to gain the Marine Radio certification, however after that the commitment required is only 5 hours per month – a morning or afternoon on weekends.  There is no ongoing study or training.

BOAT CREW
Time commitment for boat crew is necessarily more as there is a higher requirement of skill level and qualification.

• Qualifications:  From the time of induction, Trainees have six months to gain all the required qualifications, which contain both theoretical and practical aspects.  This means that there will be additional time required for study in the first 6 months.
• Boat Training:  This is a regular commitment of every Thursday afternoon from 4:30pm until about 6:30pm.  It is ongoing.
• Activations:  Once you have completed 6 Thursday boat training sessions, you are eligible to assist with activations.  There is an expectation that you will be available to be called at least one day per week, and ideally more.  This does not mean that you are guaranteed to go out on the boat…merely that you make yourself available to go out to assist should an emergency call come in.