Meet Denise Jeffers
Coxswain, Westport Coast Guard Unit
Denise Jeffers serves as a Coxswain with the Westport Coast Guard Unit, leading and operating the rescue boat during callouts, with overall responsibility for the vessel, the crew and the decisions we make on the water.
“It’s a role that demands quick thinking and strong leadership, often in challenging conditions, such as rough seas, poor visibility and time-critical situations. A big part of the role is leadership and trust. You rely heavily on your crew, and they rely on you to stay calm, make clear decisions, and keep everyone focused, especially when the pressure is on.”
Growing up beside the sea, Denise was immersed in maritime life from an early age. Her father is from Inishgort in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo – home to a lighthouse where both her grandfather and uncle worked as lighthouse attendants. Summers spent on the island meant being surrounded by boats, tides and the realities of life shaped by the sea.
“That really gave me a deep respect for the sea from an early age. As I got older, I wanted to give something back to my community, and for me, combining that with something I already felt so strongly connected to just made sense. The Coast Guard felt like a natural fit as it allowed me to use that background and passion in a way that could genuinely help people.”
Denise is a primary school teacher and joined the Westport Unit in 2017. As a Coxswain, leadership, communication and situational awareness are essential. Crews rely on clear direction, especially when pressure is high, and teamwork underpins every operation. Whether conducting searches for missing persons, responding to maritime incidents, administering first aid, supporting helicopter operations or engaging with the public during stressful moments, the focus is always on safety, professionalism and helping those in need.
As a member of the Coast Guard, there is a wide variety of training and opportunities offered. Denise has completed courses in National Powerboat Intermediate and Advanced levels, SAR Helm Navigator, Command Skills and ultimately the Coxswain assessment She has also completed additional qualifications such as Field Search Skills, Search Manager, SAR GPS, VHF radio operation, manual handling, First Aid Response, suicide alertness and water safety.
“More recently, I was selected to represent the Irish Coast Guard at the Women in SAR event in Sydney in 2025. That was a fantastic opportunity to train alongside and learn from other international search and rescue teams, share experiences and gain insight into how they operate.”
What Denise enjoys the most about being part of the Irish Coast Guard is the sense of camaraderie.
You are surrounded by like-minded people who are all there for the same reason, to help others, and that creates a really strong bond. You’re always pushing yourself to improve. I also enjoy being part of a 24/7, 365-day service that’s there for the community. There’s something very special about knowing you’re part of a team that people rely on in difficult moments. For me, it’s the combination of teamwork, personal development and having a real sense of purpose that makes it so rewarding
Join the Irish Coast Guard
Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference? The Irish Coast Guard offers exciting opportunities for people who are passionate about maritime safety and helping others.
All of our permanent roles are recruited through publicjobs.ie, the official website for public service careers in Ireland. On this site, you can search for current vacancies, read detailed job descriptions, and set up alerts so you never miss a new opening.