IN her late twenties, Sara Jane Smith (37) from St Francis Bay developed a fascination for boats \u2013 small and fast.<\/p>\n
This, combined with her passion for adventure and helping people in need, has led to a successful volunteer-career in sea rescue. <\/p>\n
Only seven years after first joining the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in 2016, she became the only female station commander in charge of Station 21 in St Francis Bay. <\/p>\n
Smith, who feels that there is a special place for women in the NSRI, laughs, \u201cThe only time I know I am the only female in this role is once a year at a conference, and it\u2019s only because I notice it. That is a testament to the type of people that the NSRI members are.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I started in my tenure as station commander in 2016, the support was incredible and came from a place of unity, not out of concern that a female was in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even the deputy station commander, Yvette Maritz, is a woman.<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s role sees her manage the crew and assets on station, as well as running checks to ensure that the crew and assets are in their best shape. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an amazing station committee which helps with the workload,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
Describing herself as a softly spoken person, Smith admits that it can be a challenge to get into a debate with the crew or coxswains. \u201cWomen do have a natural tendency to be more sensitive and compassionate and to communicate better, which is a huge asset to any crew and any station. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a woman on station, I have learnt not to let anyone answer for me, if I have something to say, or a difference in opinion, I let my voice be heard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n Joining the NSRI<\/b>\n<\/p>\n
Smith had heard about NSRI prior to joining, but says it had never crossed her mind as something she wanted to be involved in. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShortly after moving to St Francis Bay I went to the station with a friend for moral support. I had never been on a boat in the ocean before and experienced the full spectrum of emotions,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n As a young trainee, she enjoyed a long training period. \u201cI enjoyed my time as crew and continued to learn every time we got on the boat,\u201d says Smith, who still remembers her first rescue and her first patient.<\/p>\n \u201cI moved to different positions on the boat \u2013 from ropes to medical, until I eventually planted myself at the radio positions. Super-comfortable and, just then, the incumbent station commander talked to me about being a coxswain (the person crewing the boat when it is out on a rescue).\u201d<\/p>\n Immediately feeling the weight of the responsibility of this senior position, Smith decided to test the waters and eased into the position, which entails much training.<\/p>\n Smith was appointed station commander in 2016, before she became a coxswain, which she says added a different dynamic to her journey. <\/p>\n \u201cAfter completing the coxswain assessment course in Cape Town with the HQ Training department, there was an anonymous vote among my own coxswains, and I remember feeling extremely nervous about the outcome of that decision, despite where I sat on the station committee,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was humbling and probably the highlight of 2017 and my career to stand among the other coxswains, with my jacket and coxswain badge.\u201d <\/p>\n \n Apart from NSRI<\/b>\n<\/p>\n To pay her bills, Smith runs a small accounting company, with a passion for payroll and tax. <\/p>\n When she is not working or volunteering, she enjoys making things, or refurbishing old furniture. \u201cMy husband and I spend a lot of time working on our house and doing DIY projects. Some of them are a success, and others we have to call in professionals to help rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IN her late twenties, Sara Jane Smith (37) from St Francis Bay developed a fascination for boats \u2013 small and 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