Successful passouts for Lough Derg RNLI volunteers
RNLI Lough Derg is delighted to announce that earlier this evening, Wednesday 22 April, James Corballis was successfully passed out as helm, and Greg Whelan as Launching Authority by Lenny Fourie, RNLI Coastal Lifeboat Trainer.
Earlier this evening, Wednesday 22 April, following rigorous classroom and afloat assessments, James Corballis, was successfully passed out as helm by Lenny Fourie, RNLI Coastal Lifeboat Trainer. Earlier in the day, following a comprehensive theoretical assessment, Lenny passed Greg Whelan as Launching Authority for Lough Derg RNLI.
An RNLI helm passout is the final, demanding assessment for a volunteer crew member to become a qualified inshore lifeboat commander. As a major milestone, it signifies the volunteer is certified to take command of a lifeboat, managing the crew, launch, and rescue operations. The process involves intense training, written exams, and a final assessment.
James Corballis moved to Galway after college, and living close to the lifeboat station there, says he became aware of all the great work they did. He says his "grandmother was an active fundraiser for Clogherhead lifeboat, and so from an early age there was a strong connection to the RNLI in my family”.
James joined the Galway lifeboat crew in 2020. He already had his “sea legs” and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate, but he says “learned so much more since, with the local knowledge that years of experience is passed down from the helms and crew, during training and shouts”.
In 2024, James and his fiancée moved to Dromineer, where they had both spent their childhood summers sailing on Lough Derg. James says the draw to the lake provided the added bonus of being able to continue to volunteer as a crew member with Lough Derg RNLI.
A sound engineer by trade, James says there is great reward in being able to give your time: ‘The nature of my work can be seasonal, and I find I have time during the week to be available if needed. It is just great to be able to help out while also having the opportunity to be on the lake.’
A Launching Authority (LA) is a RNLI volunteer responsible for authorising lifeboat launches, ensuring safety, and managing operational activities at a lifeboat station. Passing out means a volunteer has completed rigorous training and assessments to take command of launching the lifeboat. From the station, Launching Authorities work with the Coast Guard and crew to ensure the safety of the launch and the rescue mission.
Greg Whelan, says he has “always admired the work of the RNLI”. He spent his childhood summers in a small seaside village that has an active lifeboat station. Greg says the “stories from the crew, some quite scary, put me in awe of the volunteers and the important work they do”.
Having always enjoyed volunteer roles, Greg says the “structured nature of the Launch Authority role appealed to me, and with the comprehensive training on offer, I decided to apply. I have been a volunteer director in a number of charities and I enjoy the collegiate atmosphere and the opportunity to give back to our communities”.
Retired from his job as a Civil Servant in 2020, Greg also served as a Naval Service Reserve, and was a former President of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland. Greg and his wife have boated on the inland waterways for nearly 30 years, and prior to this enjoyed dinghy sailing.
Greg says that he has valued the courses in preparation for his role as Launching Authority. He says that having “being out of the formal work role for a while it was great to do some competency based training”.
Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI says “I am delighted for James and Greg and congratulate them on their successful passouts.
This is a really positive milestone for the station. The passout of a new Helm and Launching Authority strengthens our operational capability and reflects our strong training culture and commitment to excellence at Lough Derg RNLI”.
Ends
Notes to editors
- Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
- A photo of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547
[email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or
[email protected]
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media
resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the
RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
Key facts about the RNLI
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media
resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the
RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,700 lives.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.