New Lifeboat Operations Manager making waves at Eastbourne RNLI

Sue Goodger becomes the first female Lifeboat Operations Manager at the station following the stepping down of Carl Pocock at the start of the year.

At the beginning of 2026 Carl Pocock stood down as Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) after nearly 10 years of service. His replacement, Sue Goodger, becomes the first female to hold the role at Eastbourne lifeboat stations.

Sue is no stranger to Eastbourne RNLI after holding one of the launch authority pagers since February 2025 and serving as shore crew, recently receiving her 20-year long service medal in recognition of this outstanding achievement. Carl is not leaving the station as he carries on as a launch authority.

The Lifeboat Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring all operational activities are carried out to maintain the lifeboats and associated equipment in order that they are in a constant state of readiness for service calls. As well as this they also lead the operations team in managing station personnel and the crew.

On her appointment, Sue said 'I’m proud to be taking on the operational management of Eastbourne Lifeboats. I stand on the shoulders of all those Honorary Secretaries and LOMs that have gone before me, in particular Carl Pocock who leaves rather big yellow wellies to fill, Eastbourne RNLI has a proud history of saving lives at sea and I look forward to playing a bigger part of a station that has an incredible crew with thousands and thousands of hours of experience. The challenge is daunting but also exciting!'

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Fliss Snalam, volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, email [email protected] or [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].

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.

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.

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