Llandudno RNLI is celebrating a proud moment for the station after two of its volunteer crew members successfully completed a key stage in their all-weather lifeboat training.

Ralph Hughes and Steve Tustin passed their Tier 1 all-weather lifeboat assessment on Monday, marking an important milestone in their operational roles at one of North Wales’ busiest lifeboat stations.

Ralph has been a familiar face at Llandudno RNLI since 2014, initially supporting the station in shore-based roles before moving on to operational duties afloat. Steve joined the Llandudno crew in 2024, bringing with him several years of experience from Conwy RNLI, where he has volunteered since 2016.

The Tier 1 pass-out is a demanding assessment designed to confirm a crew member’s readiness to operate safely on the station’s all-weather lifeboat – a vessel regularly called upon to respond to incidents along the North Wales coast, from the Great Orme to Conwy Bay and beyond.

The assessment was carried out by RNLI Coastal Lifeboat Trainer Simon Bunting and tested both theoretical knowledge and practical seamanship. Ralph and Steve were assessed on a wide range of skills including towing and anchoring, lookout duties, casualty location and assistance, as well as their understanding of the lifeboat’s systems, RNLI procedures and local operating conditions.

Both men demonstrated the high level of competence and teamwork required to serve on the all-weather lifeboat, which often launches in challenging weather and sea conditions to help those in danger.

With their Tier 1 qualification now complete, Ralph and Steve have already begun working towards the next stage of training, Tier 2, as they continue to build their experience and skills.

Llandudno RNLI praised the pair for their dedication and commitment, noting that achievements like this highlight the vital role played by volunteers who give their time to protect lives at sea across North Wales.