Teignmouth RNLI volunteer Lee Smith achieves Tier 1 qualification
Teignmouth RNLI is delighted to congratulate volunteer crew member Lee Smith on successfully passing his Tier 1 assessment, marking a significant milestone in his progression within the station.
Lee joined RNLI Teignmouth in the summer of 2024, motivated by a desire to give something back to the local community and help save lives at sea. Since then, he has demonstrated exceptional commitment and enthusiasm, progressing steadily through a range of key roles.
After joining, Lee began training in the safe launch and recovery of Teignmouth’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Claude and Kath. His dedication led to him successfully passing his shore crew assessment in December 2025, becoming a fully qualified member of the volunteer shore crew.
Building on this success, Lee quickly advanced further, achieving both his tractor driving and Head Launcher qualifications in January 2025. His continued development saw him progress to trainee boat crew, where he soon had the opportunity to put his training into action.
Lee’s first real ‘shout’ came on Saturday 6 September 2025, when Teignmouth RNLI responded to reports of a capsized sailing dinghy in the River Teign. The crew were tasked by HM Coastguard at 7.48pm after two people were reported to be in the water. The incident provided Lee with valuable real-world experience early in his operational career.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Andy Lilburn praised Lee’s achievement, saying
“Lee has shown great dedication since joining the station and his progression through the various roles has been fantastic to see. Passing his Tier 1 assessment is a significant achievement and a testament to his commitment to saving lives at sea. It’s also a huge achievement for the station, as training crew is very much a team effort, and everyone plays a part in supporting each other to reach these milestones.”
Reflecting on his achievement, Lee said:
“It’s a really proud moment for me. I’ve put a lot of time into training over the past year and I couldn’t have done it without the support from everyone at the station. Being part of the crew and helping to save lives at sea means a great deal to me, and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and develop.”
Teignmouth RNLI relies on dedicated volunteers like Lee to continue its lifesaving service, and his achievement highlights both personal commitment and the strength of teamwork within the station.
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.