Three Galway RNLI volunteers have been recognised for their long service to the charity, with two crew members receiving 30-year awards and a third honoured for 20 years of volunteering. The awards were presented at a recent RNLI volunteer recognition event as Galway Lifeboat Station marks 30 years since going into service in March 1996.
Shane Folan, who began volunteering in May 1995, received a 30-year award. He was the first volunteer crew member officially enrolled at Galway Lifeboat Station and has served as a lifeboat crew member, helm, and now as Launch Authority.
Years of Service: Shane Folan (left) and David Oliver display their 30-year RNLI long service awards, recognising three decades of volunteer commitment at Galway Lifeboat Station. Photo: Patrick Browne
David Oliver, who joined in 1995, also received a 30-year award. He initially served as a lifeboat crew member before becoming a helmsman in 2001.
Recognition Reward: David Oliver receives his 30-year RNLI long service award alongside his wife Ailish during the volunteer recognition ceremony honouring decades of commitment to Galway Lifeboat Station. Photo: Patrick Browne
Martin Oliver was presented with a 20-year-long service medal. He joined Galway RNLI in 2005 as crew and has served as a helm since 2015.
Galway RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Carey said the awards reflected an extraordinary commitment to saving lives. "This year we are celebrating 30 years since Galway Lifeboat went 'on station' in March 1996," he said. "Since that date, our volunteer crew have launched on rescues 818 times, coming to the aid of 498 people, 74 of whom had their lives saved."
"It is incredible to think that we have two crew who have been volunteers and part of our crew since the very beginning, and many more who have reached milestones of long service."
Carey said the recognition also belonged to the volunteers' families, whose support made such long-term commitments possible.
"As a volunteer with the RNLI, family and friends play a really important role," he said. "They are the ones who provide support when the pager goes off in the middle of the night, in the middle of mealtimes, in the middle of large life events like weddings and Christmas Day." He added, "We look forward to the next 30 years and longer of Galway RNLI and to marking the long service achievements of more crew in the future."
