Donate now

Two Fowey RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew successfully pass out

Lifeboats News Release

Two Fowey RNLI volunteers completed the next stages of their training in June 2024. Will Maher and Elliot Toms passed out as fully trained inshore lifeboat crew.

Fowey RNLI

Elliot Toms

Will runs a design company in Fowey and joined the lifeboat crew in March 2023. He has been out on 15 incidents and 34 crew exercises, totalling 114 hours at sea. Will said: ‘After moving to Fowey three years ago it was so important to become part of the community and I couldn’t have had a more warm welcome from all the RNLI crew. It’s been one of the most rewarding things in my life that I’ve ever been a part of. The training in both Poole and in Fowey has been incredible and the advice and help from everyone to get me passed out, I couldn’t have asked for any more. It’s really appreciated. I recently got married in June in Fowey Church and we were surrounded by my fellow crew members - they even went the extra mile and got the ceremonial oars as a guard of honour as we made our way down the churchyard. One unexpected moment was when we were having photos on the harbour and the pagers went off. The experience, excitement and best bit of all is being part a team with some of the most amazing people. So just a massive thank you for embracing a northerner onto your crew.'

Elliot joined Fowey lifeboats as a volunteer in May 2022. He works in the family business, Toms Boatyard, in Polruan. He has been on 10 incidents and 46 crew exercises, clocking up 137 hours at sea.

Fowey’s D class inshore lifeboat the Olive Three, has a top speed of 25 knots, and can endure 3 hours at sea at this speed on search and rescue missions – a crucial factor when lives are at risk.

Fowey Coxswain Jonathan Pritchard said: ‘I am very pleased for Will and Elliot. They have worked hard and shown enthusiasm and dedication throughout their training. They are both a great asset to Fowey lifeboat station and everyone congratulates them on their successful passing out.’

Fowey RNLI

Will Maher

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

Categories