Twenty years after first joining Plymouth RNLI, volunteer Steve Bennetts continues to serve, now marking two decades of commitment, experience and dedication to saving lives at sea.
After joining the Lifeboat Station in 2006, Mr Bennetts quickly became an integral part of the volunteer crew, now serving as the most senior role at sea, Second Coxswain, on Plymouth’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat.
Over the course of his volunteering, Mr Bennetts has launched on service more than 650 times, aided around 870 people and spent in excess of 1,000 hours at sea.
Mr Bennetts initially served on both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats before progressing through several operational roles at the station, supporting crew training and development over several years.
As second Coxswain, Mr Bennetts takes overall responsibility for the lifeboat, crew and decision-making during a service.
Mr Bennetts said: “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, and I’ve not looked back since.
“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.”
A present from the crew to celebrate Steve’s 20 years of service.
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RNLI/Darren Blight
Mr Bennetts described his senior role as “very rewarding” which comes with “new challenges and responsibilities.”
He said 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,” Mr Bennetts added.
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.
Second Coxswain Steve Bennetts at the wheel of Plymouth’s all-weather lifeboat
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RNLI/Darren Blight
“His commitment reflects the very best of volunteer lifesaving – quiet professionalism, reliability and an unwavering sense of duty.
“Steve’s service has made a real and lasting difference to countless people, many of whom will never know his name, but whose lives have been shaped by the dedication of volunteers like him.”
Mr Humphrey expressed his thanks to Mr Bennetts for 20 years of “commitment, professionalism and service,” an achievement that is “greatly valued and deeply respected”.
Nigel Gray, lifeboat operations manager, highlighted Mr Bennetts’ “constant of calm and skill”, with “incredible dedication being a fountain of knowledge that we all tap into”.
“A credit to our station and the RNLI, we are very lucky to have Steve as one of our volunteer coxswains and fully appreciate his outstanding service,” he added.
Plymouth is a busy station based in the Old Custom House at Millbay Marina Village, with two lifeboats: an all-weather Severn class lifeboat, Sybil Mullen Glover, and an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Annabel E Jones.
