Carrybridge RNLI Volunteers Successfully Complete Tier 2 Passouts
- Robert Stone
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
Thursday 9 October 2025
Carrybridge Lifeboat Station is proud to announce that two more of its dedicated volunteer crew members, Richard McFarland and Richard Neely have successfully completed their final Tier 2 passouts, marking a significant accomplishment in their lifesaving journey.
The passouts were conducted by Sean Ginnelly, Coastal Lifeboat Trainer, who had travelled up from Achill Island to conduct the assessments on behalf of the RNLI.
The passouts, conducted on Wednesday of this week, both ashore at the Lifeboat station and afloat on Upper Lough Erne lasted three hours per person and rigorously tested the volunteers’ skills across a wide range of operational areas. Tasks included towing, man overboard procedures, emergency drills, helming, maritime theory, and other essential lifesaving skills.
This final passout represents the culmination of many years of intensive training with each volunteer having logged hundreds of hours in afloat exercises, hands-on sessions, and active service calls in all conditions.
Carrybridge RNLI continues to train volunteers in various roles, both afloat and ashore, to the highest standards as part of its mission to save lives on Lough Erne.
Chris Cathcart, Volunteer Lifeboat Training Coordinator noted, “I am very happy with the time and commitment taken by both the newly qualified Tier 2 crew who have reached this milestone on their lifeboat journey. Both crew members completed their Tier 2 tasks to a very high standard during their final passout, and I wish them every success in their further progression.”
Stephen Scott, Lifeboat Operations Manager at the station says, “I’d like to thank both Richard McFarland and Richard Neely who have successfully completed these passouts. We are very fortunate to have a really dedicated volunteer crew at our station and I’m delighted that today we celebrate these two men reaching this significant landmark. RNLI crew train to an extremely high level and devote a lot of their time to our charity. This year we’ve had a huge amount of crew progression and I’d like to pay tribute to not only the crew who have passed out this week but also those who have passed similar achievements this year.”
