Volunteer crew celebrate major milestones at RNLI Teignmouth

It has been a busy and celebratory few weeks at RNLI Teignmouth, with a number of volunteer crew members reaching significant milestones in their training and operational development.

The station has seen volunteers qualify across a range of key roles from shore crew and tractor drivers to operational Tier 1 boat crew, highlighting the depth of commitment and teamwork required to keep the lifeboat service running effectively.

Strengthening our shore crew

Tom Schnetler recently passed out as a Launch and Recovery Tractor Driver. Having joined the station last year and qualifying as shore crew in October, Tom has continued his development on the tractor training plan, demonstrating dedication and commitment. Tractor drivers play a vital role in every service, ensuring the lifeboat can be launched safely and efficiently when every second counts.

Phil Pallett has likewise completed his launch and recovery training, passing out as a Launch and Recovery Tractor Driver. Already a qualified shore crew member and Head Launcher, Phil’s additional qualification strengthens the station’s operational resilience and ensures a diverse skill mix across the volunteer team.

Nick Dade has successfully completed his shore crew validation. Since joining the station last summer, Nick has quickly become a valued member of the team. Shore crew are essential to operations, managing safe launch and recovery of the lifeboat and supporting the crew during services.

Engineering readiness

In December 2024, Robbie Mould joined the station as a mechanic. Since then, he has undertaken an extensive training programme, working alongside the station’s existing mechanic during weekly exercises and gaining hands-on experience managing both the lifeboat and the launch and recovery tractor. Last week Robbie successfully passed his training programme.

Mechanics play a crucial role in keeping the station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat ready for service at all times, ensuring that when pagers sound, the boat and its systems are fully prepared to respond.

Welcoming New Tier 1 Boat Crew

The station has also celebrated two volunteers achieving Tier 1 Boat Crew status a significant milestone within the RNLI’s Operational Competency Framework (OCF), which provides a structured pathway from trainee crew through to Helm.

Will Burton Jnr joined as trainee crew last summer and completed his first operational shout in December. After months of dedicated training, he has now passed as Tier 1 crew.

He said:
“It’s been a really rewarding experience working towards Tier One. The support from the crew has been brilliant, and I’m proud to be part of such a dedicated team ready to help when it matters most.”

He joins his father in volunteering for the RNLI, Will Burton Snr, one of the station’s volunteer helms with over 30 years’ service. Continuing a remarkable family legacy, Will Burton Snr followed in the footsteps of both his own father and his maternal grandfather, both of whom also volunteered for the station — the latter serving before the station’s closure in 1940. Will Jnr now becomes the fourth generation of his family to serve.

Also passing as Tier 1 Boat Crew is Will Annal, who joined the station last summer and completed his first operational shout in September. His steady progress and commitment have made him a valued member of the team.

Will Annal said:
“Passing Tier 1 is a proud milestone for me. The training has been really rewarding, and I’m grateful for all the support from the crew along the way. I'm excited to continue learning and doing my part to help save lives at sea.”

Will follows in the footsteps of his father, Mark Annal, one of the station’s volunteer helms with over 13 years of service, who passed out as helm in 2023. The achievement represents another proud example of family dedication to saving lives at sea.

Station Operations Manager Andy Lilburn said:

“I’m incredibly proud of every one of our volunteers. The dedication, commitment, and hard work they put into training ensures our station is ready to respond when it matters most.”

“Training our crew is a true team effort. Huge thanks and congratulations also go to the wider station, who take on the role as mentors and trainers, supporting our trainee crew. Their guidance and support make these achievements possible. It really is a station-wide effort.”

These milestones reflect the dedication of RNLI Teignmouth’s volunteer crew, who commit countless hours to training alongside their work and family lives. Continuous development ensures the station remains ready to respond to the wide range of conditions and challenges faced along our stretch of coastline.