Busy week for Lough Swilly RNLI as volunteers achieve key milestones amid four call outs
- Pat Nolan
- 57 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Thursday 16 July 2026
Lough Swilly RNLI has experienced one of its busiest weeks in recent months, with four call outs for its Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Davdot coinciding with major training milestones for three volunteer crew members.
The week highlighted the dual role of RNLI volunteers, balancing emergency response with rigorous operational training, as real-life incidents interrupted navigation assessments on two consecutive days.
The first incident occurred on Thursday, 9 July, when Malin Head Coast Guard requested the launch of the station's inshore lifeboat following reports of two overdue kayakers. However, further information received within minutes confirmed that the kayakers were safe and well, allowing the assembled volunteer crew to be stood down before launch.
A similar situation unfolded on Sunday, 12 July, when the lifeboat was requested to investigate reports of an unmanned jet ski adrift. Before the crew launched, Malin Head Coast Guard advised that another jet skier in the area had successfully dealt with the incident, and the volunteers were again stood down.
On Tuesday, 14 July, RNLI Coastal Lifeboat Trainer and Assessor Sean Ginnelly was conducting navigation assessments aboard the Atlantic 85 when the exercise was interrupted by a genuine emergency. The crew responded to a yacht with two people on board that had issued a PAN-PAN urgency message via VHF radio after suffering mechanical difficulties.
A PAN-PAN call indicates an urgent situation requiring assistance but one that is not immediately life-threatening.
With the disabled yacht approaching a narrow channel, the crew assessed that the safest course of action was to establish a tow and escort the vessel to the nearest safe harbour. Once the yacht had been secured safely alongside, the assessment resumed, resulting in Emmett Johnston successfully completing his navigation pass-out, supported by Barry Johnson as helm and Stephen Doherty as crew.
The following day, Wednesday, 15 July, another navigation assessment was underway when Malin Head Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to investigate reports of swimmers in difficulty at the southern end of Ladies Bay.
On arrival, the crew found several groups of people in the water but confirmed that no one was in immediate danger. The volunteers advised those swimming to move into shallower water, warning that the area is susceptible to strong tidal currents, particularly around low and high water.
Following the incident, the crew resumed the assessment, with Stephen Doherty successfully achieving his navigation pass-out, supported by Barry Johnson as helm and Sean Coyle as crew. Sean Coyle has also recently completed his Tier 2 pass-out on the station's all-weather lifeboat.
Reflecting on the week's activity, Joe Joyce, Lough Swilly RNLI Operations Manager, said:
"This week is a good example of why the RNLI always encourage people to call 999 or 112 if they think that someone is in difficulty in the water. We are always happy to respond and find that all is well and be stood down rather than not launch at all or arrive too late.
"Additionally, for two of the call outs, the RNLI assessor saw the crew in action in a real context, making timely and effective decisions and working as a team, whilst taking all navigation and safety concerns into consideration."
Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Training Co-ordinator Amy McCarter-Phillips praised the commitment of the station's volunteers and those who supported their development.
"Our volunteers gain competencies in a structured programme, involving many hours at sea and ashore. I also wish to thank their peers at station who supported and managed the crew members' progression through the competency activities."
The week served as a reminder that RNLI volunteers must be prepared to transition seamlessly from training to emergency response, with real incidents providing valuable operational experience while ensuring those in difficulty receive timely assistance.
