Welcome
to
Medway & Gravesend Units of
Maritime Volunteer Service.
The Home of
(MVS Newest National Training Vessel)
MVS Patriot.
Working Towards a Brighter Future
​At Medway & Gravesend MVS, wellbeing is at the forefront of what we’re working together towards. Our programs and activities are designed to be a catalyst that helps community members reach their goals and fulfill their potential. Learn more about our positive impact and join us in bringing about positive change.
The Maritime Volunteer Service is a recognised national maritime training organisation and a UK-registered charity with more than 25 units around the country providing training to nationally and internationally recognised standards, serving local communities, especially in times of need or emergency, and taking part in resilience exercises ashore and afloat.
The Maritime Volunteer Service is a registered charity in England and Wales (1048454) and in Scotland (SC039269)—a Company limited by Guarantee No. 3003565.
Medway & Gravesend MVS at a Glance
Medway & Gravesend MVS knows that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives. In 2000, our Volunteer Organization realised, we could overcome our challenges, more efficiently by working together, so we ultimately decided to re-launch the Medway & Gravesend Units of the Maritime Volunteer Services.
​
​Our Website Disclaimer
The Focus of Our Efforts
​Our Website Disclaimer
Please read this disclaimer for our website carefully before using our “(website and services") this site is managed and operated by Volunteer officers at our MVS Gravesend & Medway Unit.
The content displayed on the website is the intellectual property of the Head of the Unit. You may not reuse, republish, or reprint such content without their consent.
All information posted is merely for educational and informative purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice via the National Maritime Volunteer Service. Should you decide to act upon any information on this website, you do so at your own risk.
While the information on this website has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee, there will be no mistakes or errors.
We reserve the right to change this policy at any time, which you will be promptly updated. If you want to make sure that you are up to date with the latest changes, we advise you to visit this site frequently.
​
Recognizing the enormity of the challenges our society faces,
Gravesend & Medway MVS is dedicated to making a lasting impact through our campaigns and programs. While our efforts are driven by our organization’s singular focus, we spread a wide net by investing in a variety of progressive strategies. Learn more about our initiatives and get involved yourself.
For more information about the MVS www.mvs.org
​Medway & Gravesend Unit Management Team
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Alan Metcalf
Title Head of Unit
Project Manager MVS Patriot
Unit Manager
RYA Safety Boat
RYA PB2
Indorsed Day Skipper
MVS Engineer Advisor
alan.arnold3@btinternet.com
Winner of Unit John Gooding trophy 2019 / 2020
Jason Sibley
Title Deputy Head of Unit
Unit Engineer
Unit Treasure
RYA First Aider
RYA PB2
RYA Day Skipper
RYA Sea Survival
RYA Safety Boat In training 2023
Winner of Unit John Gooding trophy 2021
John Griffiths
Title Unit Safety Officer CPO
Chief Volunteer
MVS Patriot
Unit Boat Manager
AET Cert Instructor,, H&S
Security Advisor
RYA ESAN
RYA PB2
RYA VHF
Diploma in Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation (Land base)
Bronze Medallion Life Saving Award Kent Resilience Flood Warden
DEFRA 1 Instructor
Winner of Unit John Gooding trophy 2022
john.griffithsmvs@outlook.com
Lucy Hornby PO
Title Unit Secretary Officer
MVS Patriot (PA)
Senior Volunteer
(Unit Web Site Advisor)
First Aider
RYA ESAN
PB2 PB2
RYA VHF
DEFRA 1
Kent Resilience Flood Warden
IOSH Working Safely
2023 winner of the Peter Hamond Trophy
the_lubi@outlook.com
Dave Davidson PO
Title Unit Events Coordinator
Senior Volunteer
ESAN in training
RNX Able Seaman
Fire Control
RYA PB2
RYA VHF
MVS Training & Development Team
Rob Gardener CPO
Title MVS Patriot ​Marine Superintendent Engineer
Grading Chief Volunteer
UKSA Yacht Engineers Certificated
RYA / MCA Day Skipper
Medic Care/ First Aider
Fire Safety Certificated
RYA radio
Winner of Unit John Gooding trophy 2023
Graham Clarke CPO
Titel Unt Rib Boat Manager
Unit Management
Chief Volunteer
First Aider
RYA PB2
RYA PB2 Instructor
Rosemary Dymond AV
Title Deputy Patron of the MVS Charity
Unit Management
Safeguarding Officer
First Aid
RYA ESAN
RYA PB2
DEFRA 1
RYA radio in training
Reverend Jacqueline Littlewood AV
Title Unit Safeguarding Officer
Unit Chaplin
First Aider
RYA Engineer
RYA ESAN
DEFRA 1
PB2 in Training 2023
RYA radio in training
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Able Volunteer
First Aider Responder
RYA ESAN
RYA PB2
DEFRA 1
RYA Radio in training
2022 winner of the
Peter Hamond Trophy
Iren Lucero AV
Title Safeguarding Officer
Stephen Brown
Grading LV
Leading Volunteer
MVS Training Path-Way
RYA PB2
Matt Wordley
Grading AV
Able Volunteer
MVS Training Path-Way
PB2 In training
Morgan King
Title Support Unit Events Coordinator
Grading AV
RYA ESAN in Training
PB2 in training
Neil Rothwell
Grading LV
Leading Volunteer
MVS Training Path-Way
RYA PB2
Julie
Scorer
Title MVS Honorary Regional Commodore
UKSA Yacht Certificated
RYA PB2 in training
RYA Day Skipper
Trevor Brown
Grading
Assistant H&S officer
Grading LV
MVS Training Path-Way
PB2
ESAN
Iris
Smith
Grading
Volunteer
MVS Training Path-Way
ESAN
​Tom
O'Keeffe
Grading
New Member
MVS Training Path-Way
Richard
Stokes
Grading AV
MVS Training Path-Way
PB2
ESAN
Mike
Allwood
Leading Volunteer
MVS Training Path-Way
​
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
​Sven
MVS Member
RYA PB2
RYA Radio SCR
First Aid
Roy
MVS Member
RYA PB2
RYA Radio SCR
First Aid
![20240807_153154[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f8e408_61f5584ccb0b4698831de97db0ca4e90~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_55,w_477,h_477/fill/w_180,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/20240807_153154%5B1%5D.jpg)
Simon
MVS Member
RYA PB2
RYA Radio SCR
First Aid
![20240807_153221(1)[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f8e408_1c7ed89f36d04a9b83bcab5eed694087~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_92,w_490,h_490/fill/w_180,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/20240807_153221(1)%5B1%5D.jpg)
Peter
MVS Member
RYA PB2
RYA Radio SCR
First Aid
Ben
MVS Member
RYA PB2 in training
RYA Radio SCR
​
Mark Edwards
Grading New Member MVS Training Path-Way
PB2 in-training
FRECK Level 3
Chairly
MVS Member
RYA PB2
RYA Radio SCR
First Aid
Dave Wright TBC
Grading New Member MVS Training Path-Way
Luke
MVS Member
RYA PB2
RYA Radio SCR
First Aid
Ralph Lawson
New Member MVS Training Path-Way
Richard Stokes
Grading AV MVS Training Path-Way
RYA PB2
ESAN in-training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in training
​
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in training
N​ew ​friend of MVS
PB2 in Training
Our Operational Support Team & Friend of Our Units
Christopher Rogers
Title Chief Volunteer
(Unit Training Advisor)
First Aider
RUD Day Skipper Motor (Practical & Shore-based)
MCA Boat Master Licence
RYA PB2 Advanced
Commercial Licence
RYA VHF
RYA Yachtmaster (Shore-based)
Shane Hoadey
Title Chief Engineer and Master Boatbuilder
Title Chief Volunteer(Unit Boat Advisor)
RYA PB2 advanced
Commercial Indorsed
RYA Day Skipper
RYA Sea Survival
First Aid
Cllr Jorden Mead
Title Vice-Chair MVS Council
Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
MVS Support Services
Diane Morton
Title Unit Fundraiser
RYA ESAN in Training
RYA PB2
First Aid
Llewellen Jones
Title Unit Training Support
Grading Able Volunteer
First Aider FREC 3
AET Certificated Trainer
First Aid Instructor
Qualified Mechanic
ESAN In-Training
Kathy Robinson
Operational Support
Catering Practitioner
Food Hygiene
First Aider
Rebecca Cleasby
Operational Support
Catering Practitioner
Food Hygiene
First Aider
Farah Rosia
Grading Operational
Support
MVS Support Services
Cllr Stephen Thomson
Grading Operational Support
MVS Support Services
Matt Bartlett
Grading Operational Support
MVS Support Services
At Medway & Gravesend MVS,
We’re committed to investing our expertise and resources to further achieve our cause.
Since 2000, we’ve been supporting our community members in a variety of ways and measuring our success not by monetary size, but by more qualitative measurements such as the scale and effectiveness of our efforts.
Just imagine what we can achieve together!
1994-The Maritime Volunteer Service is formed and takes over and expands many former RNXS roles.
The Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNXS) was disbanded following a defense review
MVS Gravesend & Medway Unit Projects 2024
Our Story
Behind the Scenes
MVS National training vessel Patriot
Servicing works completed and operational in May 2024
​Exceptional Achievement Our Training vessel and Flag ship of our Unit, so far so much more to do.
The project will continue in 2023 operational very soon.
2024 Sea trails and crew training operational March 2024
Project Annie, Rib and PB2
Perfect Execution, Annie Our Training Rib, It is a on going general maintenance and servicing of the engine and safety & and recovery equipment project.
2024 Unit fundraising Retub 5,00,00
Project MaGarrity
A Real Success,
5.4 Rib McGarrity, Newley re-tube, full engine service.
Operational from March 23
TESTIMONIALS
​From: ywdb@gravesendsc.org.uk
To:
Sent: Wednesday, 17 Aug, 2022 At 20:08
Subject: GSC Regatta
Thank you so much for making the weekend a great success!
Your support and efforts are a true testament to GSC's community spirit and togetherness, thank you.
Gravesend Sailing Club / Harriot / Commodore
We Welcome New Members and Supporter
OUR Membership
MVS Subscriptions 2024 MVS membership is renewed annually covering the year from April 1st to March 31st. The Trustees review the fees payable every year to keep them affordable and in line with the costs of running the charity.
. Some slight amendments have been made to the different lists. Membership list Fee Notes List An active member £20.00 Members who are attached to a Unit and undertake regular attendance and training.
New members will be charged on a pro-rata basis for the number of months remaining in the year.
See the table below.
List B Professional Technical member £20.00 Members with professional or technical skills, qualifications or experience relevant to the work of the MVS who wish to support the MVS but who do not need to undertake regular training. This list is suitable for ex-RN, MN, RNLI, etc. personnel. New members will be charged on a pro-rata basis for the number of months remaining in the year.
List E Educational £10:00 Members in full-time education who wish to participate as active members but live away from home during the academic year and return home during vacations. This list is also suitable for students at University or MN Cadets at Nautical College who can undertake activities during term time but go home during vacation
List N National Affiliated Member £10.00 Open to those unable to fulfill the commitment required by List A or B because there is no unit within practical traveling distance or for other reasons. They may either be attached to a unit as an affiliated member or to HQ
Holding On Letting Go
is a Kent-based charity that helps children cope with the death of someone close to them.
Often the children we see have lost their mum, dad, grandparents, a sibling, or a friend. Sometimes more than one person in their family has died or there are sudden and traumatic circumstances surrounding the death, such as suicide, a road accident, or murder.
Since the adults around them are also grieving, these children often feel unable to express their feelings or talk about their loved ones or their sadness.
Many adults don’t know how to support children through the grieving process, so we give support and guidance to parents and carers too.
Our MVS Unit is looking for to working with you all.
For more information on this amzing charity please go to Providing bereavement support and advice to children and young people. (holdingonlettinggo.org.uk)
​“One is not always happy when one is good; but one is always good when one is happy”
In 1998- Armed Forces Minister, Dr John Reid, announces that the Royal Navy would give Formal Recognition to the Maritime Volunteer Service – Parliament Link.
HRH Prince Michael of Kent becomes the
Royal Patron of the Maritime Volunteer Service.
The MVS is granted the Portsmouth unit performs Privileged Ensign and Marshalling duties at the International Festival of the Sea
The Maritime Volunteer Service is a UK national charity run by volunteer members.
The majority of our members come from seagoing professions.
Our senior members give their time to encourage younger people to act safely and responsibly on the water and to use their skills in emergency response activities.
We are funded by public donations and the fundraising efforts of our volunteers.
We are not attached to any other organisation and we need your help.
Prince Michael of Kent GCVO KStJ is a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, being a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary. Prince Michael occasionally performs royal duties representing the Queen at some functions outside the United Kingdom.
In 1994, Prince Michael was made Honorary Commodore (later Honorary Rear Admiral) of the Royal Naval Reserve, and in 2002 he was made Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Benson (promoted to Honorary Air Marshal in 2012). From 2009 to 2012 he was Regimental Colonel of the Honorable Artillery Company and has been, since 31 January 2012, Royal Honorary Colonel of that regiment. He is also Colonel-in-Chief of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment in Canada.
His Patronages and Presidencies number over 100 and include the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships for which he is the Honorary Admiral and the Royal Life Saving Society as well as the Maritime Volunteer Service.
