Bumper success for Fishguard RNLI volunteers during week of assessments

A number of volunteer crew members undertook a plethora of assessments for various shoreside and seagoing roles, whilst also supporting a colleague from another station.

A visiting RNLI coxswain from another station wishing to train and qualify in our class of all-weather lifeboat (ALB) created the perfect opportunity for Fishguard volunteers to not only support a colleague, but also facilitate progression of a number of the local crew requiring the presence of a regional member of RNLI staff to conduct the assessment.

On the first day crew members Bryn and Cedwyn undertook their Tier 2 assessment for the ALB, requiring them to demonstrate that they are competent in a number of tasks such as anchoring, towing and helming the Search and Rescue vessel without supervision, and can assist in supervising others.

Whilst this was occurring, crew member Jessica was undertaking her practical navigation assessment, followed by a theory paper onshore.

Jessica demonstrated proficiency in using the lifeboat’s e-navigation system, radar, paper charts and a knowledge of the navigational rules for vessels at sea. As Jessica is also a Tier 2 crew member for the inshore lifeboat, having successfully completed the assessment she was awarded the role of navigator on both lifeboats.

The second day saw the ILB go afloat for two assessments. Crew member Bryn successfully passed the practical and theory assessments to be an ILB navigator. Secondly, crew member Florian, having previously passed the navigator assessment, undertook and successfully passed the assessment to be an ILB helm, demonstrating the ability to control and command the lifeboat for service launches. Particular congratulations are due to Florian for achieving the role of helm within two and a half years of joining the crew, thanks to many hours of dedicated training including residential courses and his drive to help progress the station.

On the third day Jessica completed another assessment, this time in safe helming of the station’s boarding boat. This vessel is a retired ILB and usually sits tied between the ALB and access stairs as a raft for ALB access, however it requires a helm if for any reason the ALB is on the outer mooring. She can also take it out to assist with ILB training as the vessel can act as a casualty.

The final assessment of the week went to Jayne who also passed with flying colours to become the station’s newest Launch Authority having joined as a trainee towards the end of 2024. The role of Launch Authority is to provide HM Coastguard with a first point of contact. They will be advised of the request to launch and determine which asset to send and authorise the crew being paged.

They will brief the coxswain or helm and will usually attend the station.

Once the lifeboat returns, they will gather information regarding the outcome and any specific actions the lifeboat crew took, compiling this into a report for RNLI Headquarters in Poole.

2025 has been a fantastic year so far for Fishguard RNLI, with ILB crew member Rhodri and ALB crew member Nick also previously undertaking their Tier 1 assessments on their respective vessels. Tier 1 requires crew to demonstrate understanding of, and ability to carry out procedures under instruction and supervision. With both successfully passing they are now working towards undertaking their Tier 2 assessments.

Shoreside assessments have also been completed for Plant Operators to operate the winch which launches and recovers the ILB. Crew member Cedwyn completed the assessment for the first time, whilst existing crew Chris, Rhys and Warren undertook routine re-evaluation. A recent change requires the station to also have a number of Head Launchers, the same four crew also successfully undertook the assessment for this role which has oversight of preparing and launching the ILB.

Full time station coxswain Gemma Gill, said:

‘It is fantastic to see the achievements of crew who were still relatively new when I joined the station last year. The charity introduced a new training and assessment framework last April, and these enthusiastic crew picked up the baton and really ran with it. They have all shown determination over the last 12 months in training, and pushing themselves to achieve, putting them in a position of real value to the station’

‘Everyone who joins us on the crew here in Fishguard is on their own journey and travels at their own speed, but will have the support from a great group of volunteers.

If anyone is interested in starting their journey, please get in contact with the station via our social media channels. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram

19 Apr 2025