Portaferry lifeboat helm Paddy ready for the waves

Portaferry lifeboat helm Paddy ready for the waves

18 September 2024

A COMBER man has become Portaferry RNLI’s newest lifeboat helm.

Paddy Lowry successfully passed a rigorous assessment following months of intensive training.

Paddy joined Portaferry RNLI in 2022 after moving close to Portaferry with his family.

In 2023 he became one of two station mechanics taking on maintenance responsibilities and earlier this year started training towards becoming an inshore lifeboat helm.

The helm is a volunteer crew member in charge of the inshore lifeboat when launching, at sea and when the boat is being recovered and made ready for the next rescue.

When on a rescue the helm also takes responsibility for the safety of the crew.

Over the summer Paddy has undergone extensive training and has now passed a series of assessments making sure he is prepared and ready to take on this new role.

Portaferry RNLI lifeboat operations manager Heather Kennedy said: “Paddy has worked very hard over the past few months to attain his helm pass out.

“He is always prepared to go the extra mile to fix and sort items giving his time generously for the benefit of our boat and station.”

Paddy said: “I’m delighted to have passed out as inshore lifeboat helm at Portaferry lifeboat station.

“My wife, Terri, our LOM, Heather, and the rest of the crew have been really supportive over these past few months and I’m really grateful for all the encouragement and good advice.”

He added: “I’d also like to thank coastal lifeboat trainers Simon Bunting and Mark Mitchell for everything they have contributed to my training and pass out.

“I’ve learnt a lot and I’m really looking forward to this new challenge.”