Pett Level Independent
Rescue Boat

Registered Charity Number: 286891

Proud member of

The Pett Slip Buoys

PLIRB's talented sea shanty group - singing to raise money for PLIRB's rescue boat fund!

The singing started..

In 2023 some of our volunteers decided to get together every week to sing sea shanties – it initially started as a bit of fun, a way to let off steam and do something different as a team. They soon realised just how much they loved it – they left singing practice feeling energised and upbeat!

With invaluable guidance from a professional singing coach, the Buoys started to get a bit more serious – and started to realise they had some talent!

It struck them that perhaps this could be a way to raise funds for PLIRB – literally singing for the PLIRB’s supper. They decided that if anyone wanted to listen to them – or even donate – that all money raised would go towards a new rescue boat.

Then it got serious..

The group grew, the rehearsal’s continued and they decided a name was required! The Pett Ship Buoys was the first suggestion – but say it too fast and it can sound very wrong! So after a vote, the Pett Slip Buoys was the final choice – after all, we are based at Pett Slip and the local area has connection to the utterly fabulous Pet Shop Boys – genius!

After a couple of private gigs, the Buoys delivered their first public performance in September 2023 – over 300 people came down to the PLIRB boathouse and nearly £3000 was raised, an unbelievable amount and staggeringly positive support!

With some media coverage on local TV and radio stations, the future for our Pett Slip Buoys looked to be very promising..

And so they sang…and still sing!

The Buoys are now a 13-strong group (including ladies!). They have performed at residential homes, private parties, local pubs and festivals. The response has been overwhelming – sea shanties may have been done to death, but the Buoys add their own twist – banter and fun, historical knowledge, sensational choreography and the most brilliant jokes.. knock knock..

They continue to train every Monday evening at the boathouse – and are learning new songs and harmonies all the time.

Due to the generosity of SOS Entertainment we have a PA system and microphones, and thanks to Rye Creative Centre, they have the opportunity to rehearse on a stage.

Book the Pett Slip Buoys for your event!!

The Buoys sing to raise money for our future boat fund – we will need to replace our main rescue boat in around 3-4 years (2027/2028).

As an Independent Lifeboat Service we do not receive any central funding so we have to work and fundraise for anything we need – which is why it takes years to raise funds (on top of our increasing annual running costs).

Every penny from the Buoy’s singing is going towards the fund for a new rescue boat which will cost approx £120,000 (to include navigation and communications systems).

If you would like to support PLIRB and have the Pett Slip Buoys sing at your event, please contact us HERE. Or contact us via email to pettslipbuoys@plirb.org

Meet the Pett Slip Buoys!

The Buoys are currently 13 members strong and growing! There are only two main criteria for singing: firstly, you will need to be a volunteer at PLIRB and secondly – you gotta love to sing! You don’t need to be a ‘boy’ – so far we have one female singer and will welcome more to broaden the range of voices!

All singers are volunteer crew at PLIRB – whether boat, beach or essential support crew. All of them rehearse and perform at events to raise money – on top of all other PLIRB training and fundraising commitments. That amounts to significant additional hours that the Buoys are dedicating to PLIRB to raise funds for a new rescue boat.

Book the Pett Slip Buoys

Please complete and submit the contact form opposite if you are interested in the Pett Slip Buoys singing at an event, venue or location.

Please let us know:

- Information about the event, including date, time and location
- An indication of how long you would like the Buoys to perform
- Whether you are able to make a donation or we should bring buckets
- Any information on technical arrangements

Fees: We do not charge set fees for a performance – the amount you donate is entirely what you feel is appropriate. As every performance is an opportunity for PLIRB to raise funds, we also welcome the chance to bring donation buckets for any extra pennies!

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Pett Level IndependentRescue Boat