Double celebration for Teignmouth RNLI

Last Tuesday, a regional RNLI trainer and assessor visited Teignmouth Lifeboat Station to assess both Will and Will on their capabilities and competence as volunteer lifeboat crew members.

The Tier 2 assessment is a comprehensive evaluation designed to test a crew member’s ability to operate safely and effectively on an inshore lifeboat. Building on the skills developed through Tier 1, the assessment covers a wide range of areas including seamanship, navigation, towing, anchoring and collision regulations, with crew members also required to demonstrate their skills in high-pressure scenarios.

However, during the assessment, the crew received a real-life pager call and the lifeboat was diverted from the assessment towards the River Teign to assist with a developing multi-agency response.

The unexpected call-out provided both Will and Will with a real-life scenario to put their training and skills into practice, adding an extra level of pressure to an already challenging assessment.

The additional pressure did not phase the pair, who worked alongside their fellow volunteer crew members as the lifeboat responded to the incident. The crew's assistance ultimately contributed to a life being saved.

Following the call-out, the crew returned to the station and continued with the assessment. Both Will Annal and Will Burton Junior were then given the fantastic news that they had successfully passed their Tier 2 assessments.

The achievement marks another important step in their development as volunteer lifeboat crew members and recognises the hard work, commitment and dedication they have both shown throughout their training.

The achievement is also a particularly proud moment for both families, with Will Annal now serving alongside his father, Mark Annal, and Will Burton Junior following in the footsteps of his father, Will Burton. Both families have a long-standing connection to Teignmouth RNLI, and seeing the next generation of lifesavers now serving alongside their fathers is a special milestone for the station and a testament to the strong family and volunteering traditions at Teignmouth.

Will Annal said "It was a great feeling to find out that I had passed my Tier 2 assessment, especially after all the training and preparation that had gone into it. Having a real pager call during the assessment certainly wasn't something we expected, but it gave us the opportunity to put everything we'd learned into practice in a real-life situation. I'm really grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my training and I'm looking forward to continuing to develop as part of the Teignmouth crew.

Will Burton Junior said "I'm really pleased to have passed my Tier 2 assessment and it's a milestone that I'm incredibly proud of. The call-out during the assessment definitely added an unexpected challenge, but it was a valuable experience and showed just how important the training is when you're faced with a real incident. I'd like to thank everyone at Teignmouth RNLI who has helped and supported me along the way – I'm looking forward to continuing my journey as part of the crew."

Andy Lilburn, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Teignmouth RNLI, added "It was fantastic to see both Will Annal and Will Burton Junior successfully pass their Tier 2 assessments. They have both worked incredibly hard to reach this stage, and to then have a real-life call-out during their assessment was certainly an added challenge.

The fact that they were able to put their skills into practice under pressure and continue with the assessment afterwards shows the level of commitment and professionalism they have developed as crew members. We are incredibly proud of them both and look forward to seeing them continue to develop within the crew.

It's also a particularly proud moment to see both Will and Will following in the footsteps of their fathers and now serving alongside them as the next generation of lifesavers. I'm sure Mark and Will Senior are incredibly proud to see their sons progressing through the crew, and it's a wonderful reflection of the family spirit and history that we have here at Teignmouth RNLI."

Everyone at Teignmouth RNLI extends their congratulations to them both, and wishes them well for their future as volunteer crew members.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Amy Furlong, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.

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