Weymouth GP passes lifeboat crew milestone

A Weymouth GP has reached a major milestone as a volunteer with the town’s RNLI lifeboat station. Doctor Rupert Turberville-Smith has passed out as an Inshore Lifeboat Tier 2 crew member after nearly two years of training.

A volunteer crew member at Weymouth RNLI has achieved a significant milestone.

Doctor Rupert Turberville-Smith has successfully passed out as an Inshore Lifeboat Tier 2 crew member.

It means he is now a fully competent operational crew member aboard the station’s inshore lifeboat.

Rupert has worked as a GP in Weymouth since 1999 and is Senior GP Partner at Bridges Medical Practice.

He had thought about joining the lifeboat crew for many years, but believed work and family commitments meant the opportunity may have passed.

His ambition was reignited during a sailing trip with his family in 2024, when he saw Weymouth’s inshore lifeboat respond to two paddleboarders and their dog being swept offshore near Lulworth Cove.

Shortly afterwards, Weymouth RNLI advertised for new volunteer crew members and Rupert applied.

Like all new volunteers, he initially joined as shore crew before completing training, attending exercises and responding to live shouts.

Training to Tier 2 level involves learning practical skills, emergency procedures and casualty care, while operating safely in challenging conditions.

Rupert said learning a completely new skillset later in life had been humbling, but said the crew had been supportive and the training was well structured.

He also said he was taken on as volunteer crew rather than as a doctor, and had worked to learn RNLI protocols and procedures.

Now officially passed out as ILB Tier 2 crew, Rupert hopes his story encourages others, particularly those later in their careers, to consider volunteering.

He said people are never too old to learn something new, adding that volunteering with the RNLI is demanding but rewarding.