Rocky Woolford: 17 Years of Dedication to Weymouth RNLI
Steve Woolford, better known as Rocky, a nickname reflecting his Portland roots, has devoted 17 years volunteering for the RNLI.
Rocky Woolford: 17 Years of Dedication to the RNLI
Steve Woolford, better known as Rocky, a nickname reflecting his Portland roots, has devoted 17 years volunteering for the RNLI. Growing up on Portland, he was always drawn to the sea, and joining the lifeboat station was a natural step.
Rocky joined the RNLI in 2008 as a Launch Authority and retired earlier this year – and with that, he finally got to retire from the pager too! The pager alerts crew when a lifeboat needs to launch and is active 24/7, so Rocky got used to dropping everything to respond immediately, day or night. Rocky and his wife have three children, and while they won’t miss those middle-of-the-night shouts, Rocky admits it feels odd not having his pager and not knowing where the lifeboat is heading to.
His early experiences with the RNLI left a lasting impression. “My first shout was to rescue a man clinging to his upturned Wayfarer dinghy in the middle of winter at Chesil Cove,” Rocky recalls. “The crew were only able to spot him because of the light from his mobile phone.” Other memorable moments include being out on the lifeboat when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh passed the harbour on a super yacht during the Olympics, waving to the crew.
Over the years, he has seen the station and its crew evolve: “When I started, most crew members came from a seafaring background. Now, people from all walks of life make up the team, which has really broadened the station’s approach,” he says.
Balancing work and RNLI duties was possible thanks to his flexible career running a local Weymouth yacht chandlery. “Being self-employed helped a lot, it meant I could leave work whenever duty called,” Rocky explains. Life on call didn’t leave much downtime. “Sometimes, after late-night or early-morning shouts, it was hard to get back to sleep, but that’s part of the job.”
Looking back on 17 years of service, Rocky reflects with pride and a touch of nervousness. “It feels odd not knowing where the boat is heading anymore. I’m also a little nervous about receiving my service award - I never did it for a medal!”
Rocky Woolford’s story is one of dedication, courage, and a lifelong connection to the sea, a testament to the spirit of the RNLI and the people who make it their mission to save lives.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.