Safety Legend Shawn Steinert The Focus Of Next In The Lead Video
Committed to the “Super Cat: Race For U.S.” docu-series in 2024, Scrapyard Media and Speed On The Water haven’t co-produced an “In The Lead” episode since the last one in 2023, which focused on powerboat paint-man Mark Morris. But that will change this year with both the video production company and daily high-performance powerboating news-site teaming up on a new In The Lead episode featuring offshore racing safety team leader Shawn Steinert.
During offshore races, the safety-and-rescue helicopter is Shawn Steinert’s office.
Though it doesn’t get the glory, the rescue helicopter manned by Steinert and his team is the most important airship in the sky during an event. Forget the photo and video helicopters, if the safety team isn’t flying racing does not happen.
“These guys on the safety and rescue team are the best of the best,” Steinert explained in a July 20, 2023 speedonthewater.com article. “Most of them are either current or retired firefighters. We also have two Air Force para-rescue team members. They are both pretty amazing dudes and are trained-to-the-gills paramedics.
“We pride ourselves on our response time, meaning how long it takes us to make contact with the racers in a boat that’s had an accident,” said Steinert, who rides in the rescue helicopter’s co-pilot seat. “We are running sub-30 seconds on average.
The director of the American Power Boat Association Rescue Committee and a member of the organization’s safety committee, Steinert retired from the Orlando Fire Department Special Operations in 2016. During his 27-year career, he became the department’s rescue team commander and special operations instructor. In addition to working for Super Boat International, he became a private rescue diver for the Miss GEICO offshore racing team under offshore racing safety legend David D. Petrillo, who had introduced him to the offshore-racing rescue-diving world.
Steinert’s team members are as dedicated and professional as their leader.
Swofford learned he will be the subject of the next In The Lead episode through offshore racing broadcaster Todd Swofford’s weekly Key West sports-radio show last Friday, which featured an interview with this reporter on the current fracture in the sport. Long on humility and short words, as is his nature, Steinert reached out.
“I am honored,” he said.
Race World Offshore head Larry Bleil, who contracts with Steinert and his team at every event the Key West, Fla.-based organization produces, has stepped up to co-fund the segment. Shooting begins this summer. The episode will air in the fall.
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Source: https://www.speedonthewater.com/safety-legend-shawn-steinert-the-focus-of-next-in-the-lead-video/
