Aberdovey Lifeboat Station

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

Aberdovey Lifeboat Station
Aberdyfi, Gwynedd
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationAberdyfi, Gwynedd, Wales
CountryWales, UK
Coordinates52°32′40″N 4°2′40″W
Opened1853 (independent from 1837)
OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution

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
1963–1964 D-class (RFD PB16) D-12 Unnamed
1965 D-class (RFD PB16) D-10 Unnamed
1965–1967 D-class (RFD PB16) D-19 Unnamed
1967 D-class (RFD PB16) D-138 Unnamed
1968–1969 D-class (RFD PB16) D-161 Unnamed
1969–1970 D-class (RFD PB16) D-140 Unnamed
1970 D-class (RFD PB16) D-19 Unnamed
1970 D-class (RFD PB16) D-46 Unnamed
1970 D-class (RFD PB16) D-110 Unnamed
1971–1974 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
1998–2016 Atlantic 75-class B-758 Sandwell Lifeline
2016- present Atlantic 85-class B-896 Hugh Miles[4]

Awards

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

  • 1863 Silver Medal to David Williams of H.M. Customs for putting out in the lifeboat in a February gale to rescue of the crew of the brigantine Friends
  • 1972 Framed Letter of Thanks to David Williams for service from 1920 to 1931
  • 1974 Bronze Medal to David Williams for the rescue of three children from cabin cruiser Lady Jane

Visitor access

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

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See also

References
  1. The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle. Cambridge University Press. 1863. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  2. "Aberdyfi Lifeboat". Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  3. "RNLI – Aberdovey Lifeboat Station". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  4. "Aberdyfi RNLI welcomes new lifeboat". Retrieved 7 December 2016.
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