RNLI Welcomes New Coxswain at Dún Laoghaire Lifeboat Station

Wednesday 22 April 2026

After more than a decade of dedicated, life-saving service in Dún Laoghaire, the RNLI has appointed a new coxswain: long-serving volunteer crew member Dave Farrell. His promotion marks both a personal milestone and a continuation of the station’s strong tradition of commitment and expertise.

Photo Credit: RNLI/Ciaran Dixon

Dave’s journey to coxswain has been shaped by years of hands-on experience across multiple lifeboats. He initially served on both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats, gaining a wide range of operational skills in varied rescue conditions. In 2020, he transitioned full time to the all-weather lifeboat, further deepening his knowledge and leadership capabilities in more demanding offshore environments.

His introduction to the RNLI came through a simple but decisive moment. A friend and former Dún Laoghaire crew member, Captain Jim Kennedy, who had worked alongside Dave at Dublin Port arrived at his door with an application form and a clear instruction: go down the following Monday night and begin training. Dave took that advice, setting in motion a journey that would eventually lead him to one of the most responsible roles within the station.

Central to his progression has been the RNLI’s competency-based training programme. Designed to ensure that every crew member meets the organisation’s exacting standards, the programme equips volunteers from all backgrounds with the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively in emergency situations at sea.

Dave said: ‘The coxswain plan is all about competency. The trainers decide when you’re genuinely ready. They’re not there to trip you up, they’re there to verify the standard. When you pass, they’re saying, ‘Yes, you’ve maintained the level we expect.’

Like many RNLI volunteers, he balances training and callouts with work and family life.

‘But the RNLI has always been in the background for us. My dad and I both have fundraising awards. My wife, Zuzana, is from Slovakia and didn’t know the RNLI at all before she moved here. The first time she saw the lifeboat she said, ‘What’s that big orange boat?’ Now she just rolls over when the pager goes off at three in the morning.’

One callout that stands out for Dave was one of his first while he was in training as lifeboat crew.

‘I was at home making a sandwich. I got a call from one of the guys on the boat saying there is a diver missing. The information was limited: a diver missing off Dalkey Island. The Coxswain on the day, Stuart Kane, and mechanic Rory Bolton led the response.

‘All the information we had was they were down at Dalkey Island. Stuart had correctly read the situation and decided they must have drifted north. We found them within 30 minutes.’

Over the years, Dave has responded to a wide range of emergencies, from yachts in difficulty to missing persons and medical evacuations. What stands out, he says, is the variety.

‘Every situation is different. You can go out to five different yacht rescues, but every one of them is different. You’ll have a different crew, you’ll have a different sea state, you’ll have different wind conditions. Could be daytime, could be nighttime. Could be January, could be June.’

As he steps into his new role, Dave is focused on maintaining the high standards of the station and supporting the next generation of volunteers.

He said: ‘It’s a privilege to take this on. We have a fantastic team here. Everyone plays their part. I’m looking forward to continuing the work we do and helping keep people safe on the water.’

‘A special thank you to all the crew members both past and present who have helped me along this journey. A special thank you to Lisa Hollingham, Ger Sharkey and Trevor Deveroux.’

Eamon O’Leary, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Dun Laoghaire RNLI said: ‘It’s a great achievement for Dave who is a very valuable asset to Dun Laoghaire station. It’s an honour to have him as a fully-fledged coxswain at our lifeboat station, with its wonderful crew and fantastic lifesaving tradition of service to the community here in Dun Laoghaire.”

The RNLI’s lifesaving service depends on volunteers from all walks of life, and Dave’s journey reflects the charity’s ethos of developing skills, building confidence, and preparing crew members to respond to emergencies at any hour.