Galway Lifeboat has two new helmsmen this week, with the qualification of Adrian Phillips and Declan Killilea as full helmsmen.

Helmsmen Adrian Phillips and Declan Killilea.

Following five years of intensive training, both men qualified as full helmsmen on Galway's inshore Lifeboat, Dóchas.

In achieving this promotion, they completed numerous courses, locally at the Galway Lifeboat station and at the RNLI's Training College in Poole, England, in First Aid, Navigation, Sea Survival, RYA Advanced Powerboat handling, marine VHF radio, and outboard engine fault-finding and maintenance.

As well as structured training, Adrian and Declan, both from Roscam, also had to complete many training exercises in Galway Bay to gain a greater knowledge of the local area.

The operational area for Galway RNLI Lifeboat extends from Black Head on the Clare coastline to Rossaveel, 20 miles west of Galway City.

Galway Lifeboat station now has eight fully qualified helmsmen within its current active volunteer crew of 22. The crew are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the station averaging 30 service calls per year. On a national level, Galway Lifeboat station ranks in the top ten busiest stations.

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