There’s nothing better than spending some quality time with your family, and finding a hobby or passion that you all share is the perfect way to go about it.
Meet the Mays, a family of four that are passionate about the ocean. They’re definitely a unique family as all four family members, including the two teenage children, volunteer at the NSRI’s Station 21 in Francis Bay.
Patriarch Marc first joined and received his 20-year Service Award in 2020. This is an incredible achievement that undoubtedly set the rest of the family’s passion for volunteering with the NSRI ablaze. For Marc, it’s all about “family, community involvement and a passion for the sea.”
Wife Anneke and the kids, Saskia (18) and Daniel (14) have been at Marc’s side since the beginning. Having joined in 2000, Anneke decided to take a break from active duty after falling pregnant with their daughter. However, the NSRI remained a big part of her life as she supported Marc with his duties.
“Volunteering at Sea Rescue changes your life to a life of service,” she tells the NSRI. She states that she just couldn’t stay away as she is now back where she belongs as a trainee crew member. Saskia joined the station’s trainee crew at the tender age of 16, showcasing an incredible resolve as she juggled school, her social life, and extramural activities. So, how does she feel about volunteering with her family?
“The NSRI family is so welcoming, so we all just fit in with each other and become a new family,” she says. As for 14-year-old Daniel, he was the first recruit to the station’s Junior Academy, sighting his dad as an inspiration for joining Sea Rescue. His love of the sea and lifesaving are a few other reasons he has enjoyed his time at Sea Rescue, along with jumping off the bridge in the port.
There’s no question that this service-orientated family is going places.
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Picture: NSRI