The Falmouth Lifeboat test Joe Amps spent a year preparing for

An assessor on board, the inshore lifeboat in his hands, and more than a year of training riding on one evening at sea.

That was Joe Amps’ Wednesday (11 November) at Falmouth Lifeboat. And he passed. Joe is now a qualified inshore lifeboat helm.

📷Credit: Falmouth Lifeboat

More than a year in the making

Joe has been working towards the qualification for over a year. Along the way he attended courses at RNLI HQ in Poole, with intensive training back on station in Falmouth.

On Wednesday evening he took the ILB to sea under the watchful eye of Regional Assessor Matt Simpson.

Matt assessed him in search and rescue, emergency drills, veering and boat handling, among many other areas.

‘Well done Joe’

Joe first joined the crew in 2018.

Station Coxswain Luke Wills said: ‘Since joining the crew in 2018 Joe has brought his seafaring skills and experience to the station team and has worked hard to achieve this qualification.

‘Thank you to everyone at the station who has helped Joe to get to this position and especially to his family who have supported him through the intensive training and time away from home.

‘Having a good complement of qualified helms available ensures we can keep the ILB on service 24/7 and ready if and when it’s needed. Well done Joe.’

📷Credit: Falmouth Lifeboat