Yarmouth RNLI appoints new water safety officer
As of April 2024, Yarmouth RNLI would like to extend its warm welcome to our newly appointed water safety officer, Shaun Smith to our ever growing team of volunteers to continue to save lives at sea.
Shaun Smith moved to Yarmouth after retiring and selling his leading management consultancy, which specialised in visitor experience, communications and training. He is now an enthusiastic supporter of the town and most recently, Yarmouth RNLI.
He is an active member of the Royal Solent Yacht Club, and keeps and races a Contessa 32 sailing yacht and is also a qualified Yachtmaster.
Shaun Smith says: 'I hope to bring some of these skills to bear on the new role. I have been visiting some of the other RNLI stations, and I am really impressed with the support the water safety officers offer, who not only support the RNLI's mission of saving lives through raising awareness, but also contribute to station's fundraising activities.'
As a water safety officer, Shaun will play a pivotal role at the Lifeboat Station by being involved in the design and implementation of the Community Lifesaving Plan, and providing free education and water safety advice to those who visit the coast, be that school groups, walkers, or boats visiting our harbour to name a few.
If you would be interested in having Shaun visit your organisation or school to provide advice on all aspects of water safety, you can contact the station directly who will pass on all requests made.
Around 150 people die by accident in UK and Irish waters each year. Half of those who drown never intended to enter the water. Through our water safety initiatives, we strive to reduce fatalities and incidents in, on and by the water.
For further safety advice on or around the water, you can visit rnli. org /safety where the RNLI has collected together all of their advice in one place, so you can find the information you need to make the most out of your time at the coast. Whether you're going to the beach, exploring the coast, or venturing out onto the water via paddle board, kayak or power craft, we have the sea safety advice to help you stay safe.
Notes to editors
- Photos attached – 17-25 Yarmouth Lifeboat out at sea and an image of Shaun Smith, provided by Shaun Smith.
- Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.
- As well as 2024 being the year the RNLI celebrates its 200th year, it will also be Yarmouth Station's 100th year in service.
RNLI media contacts
- Hebe Gregory, Yarmouth RNLI Press Officer,
- Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager (South East & London),
- Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead (South East),
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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 142,700 lives.
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