Lough Swilly RNLI Volunteers Achieve Key Training Milestones

Friday 22 May 2026

Lough Swilly RNLI has announced a significant achievement for four of its dedicated volunteer crew members, following the successful completion of important training assessments and helm revalidations earlier this week.

Crew who successfully completed Tier 2 and Revalidation assessments. Photo Credit: RNLI/Sean Coyle

The assessments took place on Wednesday evening and involved practical exercises both at sea on the station’s inshore lifeboat Davdot and ashore under the supervision of Coastal Lifeboat Trainer Sean Ginnelly.

Volunteer crew members Dawn Lambe and Barry Nixon successfully completed their Inshore Lifeboat Tier 2 pass-out assessments, while volunteer helms Barry Johnson and Barry Stevenson achieved their Helm revalidation.

Training for RNLI volunteer crews is a continuous and highly structured process, requiring hundreds of hours of commitment. Crew members undertake intensive instruction in areas including boat handling, sea survival and rescue techniques, radar and radio communications, casualty care and emergency procedures.

Amy McCarter-Phillips, Lough Swilly RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Training Co-ordinator, praised the volunteers following the assessments.

“I am delighted for the crew members who completed their Tier 2 and revalidation assessments,” she said. “I know that they dedicated a significant amount of time and effort in their training.”

The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by the volunteers was also recognised by Coastal Lifeboat Trainer Sean Ginnelly, who noted that “both pass-outs and revalidations were completed to a very high standard.”

Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Joe Joyce highlighted the extensive preparation involved in reaching these milestones.

“Successful assessments are the culmination of extensive training at station, with coastal trainers here and at the Lifeboat College in Poole,” he explained. “Our volunteers gain competencies in a structured programme involving many hours at sea and ashore. They are supported by their peers at station who manage their progression through the competency activities.”

The RNLI, which saves lives at sea around the coasts of Ireland and the UK, relies on public support to continue its vital work. The average annual training cost for each crew member is approximately €1,645, with all training and operational activities funded through charitable donations.