Weymouth Welcomes New Lifeboat Operations Manager

Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Kershaw as volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM), following the recent retirement of Steve Renyard. Simon has been at the lifeboat station since 2018 in the capacity of a deputy Launching Authority (LA). As Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM), Simon will now be responsible for managing all operational activities at the lifeboat station, as well as authorising the launch of the lifeboats, 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, and I am also looking forward to working more closely with Andy and Rod and the rest of the volunteers. As a Launch Authority for Weymouth, I've experienced firsthand the professionalism, dedication and camaraderie of the Station personnel, volunteer crew and Operations Team at the Station, and I look forward to continuing to provide the sound guidance and care that Stephen brought to the role in his time as LOM. I would like to thank Steve, for the assistance he has given me in preparation for my new role and I wish Steve all the best on his retirement.'

Speaking about his retirement Steve said: ‘It’s been a privilege to have been involved with the station at Weymouth for the past six years. I shall miss being involved in the daily operations and working with the volunteer crew. I am delighted that Simon has been appointed to the LOMs role. I wish him well in this role and would like to thank him for all his assistance as a deputy Launching Authority.’ 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.’

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.