Clifford Ireland: Three Decades of Service, Leadership and Saving Lives

When Clifford Ireland joined NSRI Station 5 Durban in November 1992, he was simply looking for a way to stay connected to the ocean he had loved since childhood. More than 33 years later, that decision has shaped not only his own life but the future of sea rescue in South Africa.

From volunteer crewman and Class 1 Coxswain to Station Commander, Regional Representative and, most recently, Chairman of the NSRI's Operations Support Committee (OSC), Clifford's journey reflects a lifetime of dedication to saving lives, supporting volunteers and strengthening the organisation from the shoreline to the boardroom.

Looking back, he says the reason he stayed evolved quickly.

“I quickly came to appreciate the knowledge and skill that one gains at the NSRI, coupled with the positive feeling of genuinely doing good to help others in need.”

He adds that “the feeling one has when you save a life is strong motivation to keep going despite the difficult hours and environment in which we sometimes operate.”

Learning From the Sea

Over three decades, Clifford has taken part in countless rescues. Some are remembered for remarkable navigation or technical achievement, while others remain with him because of the people involved.

One rescue during the devastating KwaZulu-Natal floods of April 2022 stands out above all others. Amid widespread destruction, Clifford and fellow rescuers reached a home where floodwaters had carved a deep channel through the property, separating parents from their two young children.

"We managed to place a ladder across the gap, and I crawled over and brought each child safely across,” he recalls. “I never learnt the children's names or those of the parents, but their facial expressions will live with me forever.”

His efforts during those floods earned him the NSRI Gallantry Award (Silver) in 2024, recognising both his personal bravery and operational leadership during one of the country's most challenging rescue responses.

Helping Shape the Future

Clifford's contribution extends well beyond rescue operations.

A mechanical engineer by profession, he worked closely with former Director of Capital Projects Mark Hughes to help select the Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC) design that now forms the backbone of the NSRI's Class 1 fleet replacement programme. His engineering expertise, combined with decades of operational experience, helped ensure the vessels were designed around the realities of rescue at sea. He was also instrumental in establishing the programme that saw hulls three to eight built in South Africa.

The Class 1 fleet replacement project which eventually became the ORC fleet of today was a constant commitment for over 5 years of his life from the first discussions around a needs document, through the creation of a detailed specification and final selection of the preferred craft. Trips to multiple boat builders and evaluation of proposals took many long nights and earned Clifford the Marion Marsh award in 2018. The culmination of those long hours of effort now seen in the launch of the final vessel this month for Hout Bay.

He is equally proud of another initiative that cannot be measured in steel or engineering drawings: the Crew Wellness Support Programme.

"It’s one of the things I fought for, for a few years, and time has proven that it was a valuable addition to the mental health of our crew,” he says. “I am proud that I stuck to my convictions and continued to fight for it to be rolled out.”

Leading People, Not Just Operations

As Clifford's responsibilities grew from station leadership to regional and national roles, so too did his understanding of what makes the NSRI successful.

He made it his mission to visit every rescue station in the country, learning first-hand about the different challenges volunteers face.

Those experiences reinforced an important lesson about leading volunteers: “People will give much if they feel they are valued.”

As Chairman of the Operations Support Committee, he represented rescue stations at Governance Board level, helping guide decisions on operational standards, training, rescue craft, infrastructure and volunteer development. Throughout, he remained committed to ensuring that national decisions reflected the needs and realities experienced by crews on the ground, whilst constantly trying to advance crew safety.

A Lasting Legacy

NSRI Chief Operations Officer Brett Ayres, who has worked alongside Clifford for more than two decades, believes his influence will be felt for many years to come.

"Clifford has given the NSRI an extraordinary amount of himself over many decades, and the last five years as OSC Chairman reflect the very best of volunteer leadership,” he says. “We are deeply grateful for his service, his passion, and his commitment to our crew."

And as Clifford steps away from his regional and national leadership roles, he remains optimistic about the organisation's future.

"The NSRI is a fantastic organisation with a great mission and some of the most dedicated people I have met. My wish for the organisation is that one day we draw volunteers from all 60 million citizens, and what an organisation we will be then."