This month sees a change at Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station with the appointment of Simon Kershaw as volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM), following the retirement of Steve Reynard (photo).
Simon has previously volunteered at the lifeboat station in the capacity of Deputy Launching Authority (DLA), responsible for coordinating launch activities with the coastguard and other search and rescue teams.
As Lifeboat Operations Manager Simon will now be responsible for managing all operational activities at the lifeboat station, working closely with the station’s full-time Coxswain Andy Sargent and Mechanic Rod Britton.
Simon said “It’s an honour and privilege to be appointed as the Lifeboat Operations Manager at Weymouth Lifeboat Station which has been providing a life-saving service for over 156 years. I would like to thank Steve for his time as LOM, and for the assistance he has given me in preparation for my new role and I wish Steve all the best on his retirement.”
Weymouth Lifeboat Coxswain Andy Sargent said: “For the past six years, Steve has been an essential part of the station at Weymouth, and it has been thoroughly enjoyable to work alongside him. On behalf of everyone at Weymouth lifeboat station, I would like to wish Steve well on his retirement, although I’m certain it’s not the last we’ll see of him around the station!”
Lone sailor rescued – February saw both Weymouth lifeboats, along with vessels from our flanking stations, called upon to assist in a search for a sailing vessel that had failed to arrive at their planned destination.
Having departed Brixham with a passage plan that should have seen it arrive in Portsmouth Friday evening. With only limited communication from the vessel, and its exact whereabouts unconfirmed, lifeboats from Swanage, Weymouth, and Torbay, along with the coastguard search and rescue aircraft a search was commenced. During the shout, the vessels’ Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) was activated south of Berry Head.
Weymouth, Torbay, and Dart lifeboats headed to the scene along with a coastguard rescue helicopter and aircraft. With Dart and Torbay lifeboats closer to the casualty vessel, the Dart Atlantic 85 undertook to transfer the casualty to the Torbay lifeboat and then taken ashore, conscious, but in discomfort with possible broken ribs. Weymouth ALB stood down and returned to the station.
This was a significant search involving adjacent lifeboat stations and coastguard assets that thankfully resulted in a positive outcome. It also demonstrates the importance of logging a passage plan with someone ashore, who can raise an alert if necessary, or RYA SafeTrx safetrx.rya.org.uk
Until next month enjoy the water, and stay safe.
