Aberdovey Lifeboat Station

Aberdovey Lifeboat Station
RNLI Lifeboat station
Country Wales, UK
State Gwynedd
Region Cardigan Bay
Location Aberdovey, Ceredigion, Wales
 - coordinates 52°32′40″N 4°2′40″W / 52.54444°N 4.04444°WCoordinates: 52°32′40″N 4°2′40″W / 52.54444°N 4.04444°W
Founded 1853 (independent from 1837)
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Aberdovey, Gwynedd

Aberdovey Lifeboat Station (Welsh: Aberdyfi) is an RNLI lifeboat station in the coastal village of Aberdovey, Gwynedd, West Wales, on the River Dovey (Dyfi) estuary in Cardigan Bay. It was established in 1853, but there has been a lifeboat serving the village since 1837.

Since 1998 the station has operated an Atlantic 75-class inshore lifeboat, RNLB Sandwell Lifeline (B-758), launched by tractor.

History

The first Aberdyfi lifeboat was bought in 1837. The RNLI took over the station in 1853 and in 1858 built a new boathouse for the lifeboat and carriage. A tragedy occurred in 1862 when crew member Owen Owen, aged 33, died as a result of a capsize on exercise.

In February 1863 David Williams was awarded a Silver Medal for putting out to the stranded brig Friends and his crew were voted £8 reward by the Institution. In September the same year the RNLI voted to reward the crew of the lifeboat £4 10s for rescuing six crew of the stranded barque William Bromham.[1]

In 1886 a plot was bought for £150 and a new boathouse built for £320.[2][3]

There was a second tragedy in 1898 when crew member John Price, aged 72, lost his life trying to save people after a boating accident.[2] His dependants were awarded £50 compensation by the RNLI’s Committee of Management.[3]

A slipway for the lifeboat was built at a cost of £300 in 1903 to enable the lifeboat to be launched into the river. The station closed in 1931, but was reopened in 1963 at the Outward Bound Sea School as an inshore station supplied with a D-class lifeboat, which in 1974 was replaced by an Atlantic 21-class B-class lifeboat.[2][3]

A new boathouse was built in 1991 to house the Atlantic 21 and its launching tractor, a shop and crew facilities, and in 1995 an upper floor was built to provide a crew room, galley and store.[2]

Since 1998 the station has operated an Atlantic 75-class inshore lifeboat, RNLB Sandwell Lifeline (B-758), launched by tractor,[3] and making an average of 25 emergency launches a year.[2] She replaced B-559 which has transferred to the British Virgin Islands as a rescue craft.

Fleet

All Weather lifeboats (ALBs)

Dates in service Class ON Name Comments
1837– Independent lifeboat under Harbour Authority control
1904–1921 William Brocksop

Inshore lifeboats (ILBs)

Dates in service Class Op. No. Name
1963–1970 D-class (RFD PB16) D- Unnamed
1970–1974 D-class (RFD PB16) D-140 Unnamed
1974–1984 Atlantic 21-class B-514 Guide friendship 1
1984–1998 Atlantic 21-class B-559 Long Life 3
1998–present Atlantic 75-class B-758 Sandwell Lifeline

Awards

A number of awards have been made to recognise exemplary service.[2]

Visitor access

This station is classed as an RNLI "Discover" lifeboat station which welcomes visitors normally during the summer months.

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle. Cambridge University Press. 1863. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Aberdyfi Lifeboat". Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "RNLI – Aberdovey Lifeboat Station". Retrieved 28 October 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aberdyfi.