Training for crew members takes place from 7 - 9 pm every Monday, except for the second Monday in each month when a Committee meeting is held. An additional training session is held on the Saturday before each Committee meeting at 10.30 am. Training consists of a combination of theory classes held in the boat-house and hands-on practice involving launching the lifeboat and skills training on the water. New members are always welcome.

Each crew member will be initially trained to level 2 powerboat (coastal). This level covers topics such as boat design, maintenance, boating skills, rope work, tides, charts, weather and navigation. They then move through the qualifications to advanced powerboat. Further specific training is included to cover the routines applicable to the particular systems operated by BISRA. These include search and rescue techniques, search planning, pyrotechnics, first aid & CPR, and VHF communication.