Plymouth RNLI Second Coxswain marks 20 years of volunteer service

After joining Plymouth RNLI Lifeboat Station in 2006, Steve quickly became an integral part of the volunteer crew. At the time, he approached his employer about volunteering and received full support to carry a pager alongside his working life. That understanding and flexibility have continued throughout his 20 years of service.

Over the course of his volunteering, Steve has launched on service more than 650 times, aided over 870 people and spent in excess of 1,000 hours at sea, with many more hours spent on exercise and training to ensure the crew remain ready to respond whenever the call for help comes.

Steve initially served on both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats before progressing through a number of operational roles at the station, supporting crew training and development over several years.

He later passed out as coxswain on Plymouth’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat. The coxswain is the most senior role at sea, with overall responsibility for the lifeboat, crew and decision-making during a service. His first service in the role involved assisting a fishing vessel aground on Mountbatten breakwater on an outgoing tide. Since then, he has led the crew on numerous shouts and training exercises in a wide range of conditions, always maintaining the high standards expected of RNLI volunteers.

Reflecting on his 20 years of service, Steve said:

‘Growing up in Saltash, we always had a small family boat and spent many happy times on the water. As an adult I moved to Plymouth for work but continued spending time afloat with my parents. My dad was a volunteer firefighter for 30 years, and growing up watching him run off to help others made me realise I wanted that same sense of camaraderie in my own life. Volunteering with Plymouth RNLI gave me the chance to get on the water while also doing my part to help other sea-goers. I approached my boss about volunteering and, although he was surprised at first, I was fully supported, and I’ve not looked back since.

I joined thinking I would just stay as crew on the inshore and all-weather lifeboats, but I was given the opportunity to progress to ILB helm and later to senior helm. That role was incredibly rewarding, particularly helping new crew reach the point where they could be passed out as competent crew members or helms. One real highlight was being trusted to helm the Atlantic 75 lifeboat Millennium Forester for its renaming ceremony. There have been many memorable services on the inshore lifeboat, including a shout in Whitsand Bay, veering to assist a couple cut off by the tide, which is still talked about at the station today.

Although being senior helm was very rewarding, I also began training to become a coxswain on the Severn class all-weather lifeboat. It was an incredible opportunity but came with new challenges and responsibilities. With the help and guidance of coxswains past and present, including Dave Milford, Sean Marshall and Neil Humphrey, I was passed out as a coxswain in November 2016. My first service came soon after, assisting a beam trawler aground on Mountbatten breakwater, and since then I’ve taken part in many services and exercises in a wide range of conditions, all of which have been enjoyable and rewarding.

Being part of Plymouth RNLI means being part of a greater family who will go out of their way for anyone who needs it. I’ve made many lifelong friends from being part of the crew and even met my wife as a result of it.

Although volunteering for the RNLI is what I want to do, it would not be possible without the support of family and work colleagues. I’m grateful for all the support and understanding given by work over the years, but the impact on family life has been huge. I cannot thank my wife enough for her support, understanding, missed days out, sleepless nights and being randomly abandoned over the years.’

Neil Humphrey, Station Coxswain said:

'Over two decades, Steve has consistently put others first, responding at all hours, in all conditions, with no expectation of thanks or reward. His commitment reflects the very best of volunteer lifesaving: quiet professionalism, reliability and an unwavering sense of duty.


Nigel Gray, Lifeboat Operations Manager added:

'Steve has been a constant of calm and skill during my time at the station. His dedication to Plymouth RNLI Lifeboat Station is incredible. He shares his experience amongst the newer crew and is a fountain of knowledge that we all tap into.

Notes to editors

Photos

• Second Coxswain Steve Bennetts
  Photo Credit RNLI / Darren Blight
• Second Coxswain Steve Bennetts at the wheel of Plymouth's all-weather lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover
  Photo Credit RNLI / Darren Blight
• Steve Bennetts at the helm during the renaming ceremony of Plymouth's Atlantic 75 Millennium Forester
  Photo Credit RNLI / Barry Perrins
• Steve Bennetts at the helm of Plymouth's previous inshore Atlantic 75 lifeboat Millennium Forester
  Photo Credit RNLI / Barry Perrins
• [L-R] Neil Humphrey, Station Coxswain, presenting Steve Bennetts a framed picture of Plymouth's all-weather lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover and previous inshore lifeboat Millennium Forester
  Photo Credit RNLI / Darren Blight

Information

Plymouth is a busy station based in the Old Custom House at Millbay Marina Village. Plymouth RNLI Lifeboat Station has two lifeboats, an all-weather Severn class lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover and an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Annabel E Jones.

To find out more about Plymouth RNLI Lifeboat Station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/plymouth-lifeboat-station

Plymouth RNLI Facebook page facebook.com/PlymouthRNLI

RNLI media contacts

• Darren Blight, Lifeboat Press Officer, Plymouth Lifeboat Station on 07984 399860 or [email protected]
  
• Katie O’Neill, Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Plymouth Lifeboat Station 07934 879703 or email [email protected]
• Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]
  
• Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]
• RNLI Duty Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]