The RNLI charity is dedicated to ‘Saving lives at Sea’ and has appointed Mark Stephenson as volunteer lifeboat operations manager (LOM) at Rye Harbour RNLI lifeboat station. Mark explains more about his rôle and we learn a little more about why he got involved with the RNLI.

What does a LOM do?
The LOM is a critical post within the RNLI, carrying out the day-to-day management of a lifeboat station to ensure a permanent state of readiness for service. This includes ensuring we have sufficient crew every day, crew are trained and up-to-date and all policies and guidance issued by the RNLI are followed. The LOM is also the main point of contact between crew and the RNLI, HM Coastguard (when on-call as a launch authority) and other organisations as required. The LOM is also the co-ordinating authority for health and safety. The LOM manages a team of volunteers with the help of other launch authorities and helms and oversees training for all crew and builds morale.
When did you get involved with the RNLI and in what rôle?
I got involved with the RNLI in May 2017 as a shop volunteer when I opened the shop on alternate Sundays.

When did you train as shore crew?
I enrolled as shore crew in April 2021 and a week later contracted Covid, so I could not really start my training until June 2021. I passed out as shore crew in November 2021: it took me a while! You can get through the plan much quicker than this if you really put the time in but there were other things in my life at the time which took my effort away from training.

What were the challenges of this rôle?
For me, it was learning the knots and types of ropes. A low-water launch and recovery enable us to put our training into practice, and this is vital as we are one crew and the boat cannot launch without us to start the process. It is the foundation of everything that comes after.
Did you always think that your journey would end up with your taking on the role of LOM?
Most definitely not! We had an established LOM who knew the RNLI inside out when I joined. However, the post became available and I had the time to invest in it, knew the way the station worked and so I applied.
Does sailing play a big part in your life?
It doesn’t, but my motivation for becoming LOM was to enable our crew to save lives at sea and encourage them to be their best. I was a science teacher, first in Potters Bar and then in Canterbury. I had management experience, first as a head of department, then as assistant head responsible for curriculum, safeguarding and a house of just over two-hundred and fifty teenagers. I want to lead and manage our volunteer crew and create an environment where all may flourish.

Who do you need to recruit to enable you to carry out your role successfully?
We are looking for all rôles within the station, but an absolute priority is to recruit launch authorities (LA). We currently have three LAs at the station, including me, but two of the current post-holders are likely to be stepping down within the next twelve to twenty-four months, one because of age (there is an age limit of seventy for LAs), and the other to concentrate on being boat crew. We are looking for more people to join the station, particularly to provide day-time cover during the week and weekends – but everyone is welcome. Why not pop down one Sunday at 10am or Wednesday at 6pm when training takes place? You will receive a warm welcome and meet the present crew.
What three words describe you?
Determined, empathetic and realistic
What is your favourite place to be?
Waikiki in Hawaii: an amazing place I have been fortunate enough to visit four times.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .