Aberdovey Lifeboat Station
Welsh: Gorsaf Bad Achub Aberdyfi
Aberdovey Lifeboat Station is located in Wales
Aberdovey Lifeboat Station
Aberdyfi, Gwynedd
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationAberdyfi, Gwynedd, Wales
CountryWales, UK
Coordinates52°32′35″N 4°02′44″W / 52.54319°N 4.04565°W / 52.54319; -4.04565
Opened1853 (independent from 1837)
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Aberdovey Lifeboat Station (Welsh: Gorsaf Bad Achub 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.

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

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

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 an RNLI 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.

Aberdovey Lifeboats

All-Weather Lifeboats

ON[lower-alpha 1] Name In service [4] Class Comments
Victoria 1837– Independent lifeboat under Harbour Authority control
Royal Berkshire 1865–1886
63 Thomas Niccolls Stratford 1886–1904 34ft 1in Self-Righting (P&S)
534 William Brocksopp 1904–1921 35ft Self-Righting (P&S)
476 Reserve No.6L 1921–1931 35ft Self-Righting (P&S) Previously George and Margaret at Isle of Whithorn.
Station Closed in 1931

Inshore lifeboats (ILBs)

Op. No.[lower-alpha 2] Name In service [4] Class Comments
D-12 Unnamed 1963–1964 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-10 Unnamed 1965 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-19 Unnamed 1965–1967 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-138 Unnamed 1967 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-161 Unnamed 1968–1969 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-140 Unnamed 1969–1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-19 Unnamed 1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-46 Unnamed 1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-110 Unnamed 1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-140 Unnamed 1971–1974 D-class (RFD PB16)
B-514 Guide friendship 1 1974–1983 Atlantic 21-class
B-559 Long Life 3 1983–1999 Atlantic 21-class
B-758 Sandwell Lifeline 1999–2016 Atlantic 75-class
B-896 Hugh Miles[5] 2016- Atlantic 85-class
  1. ↑ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ↑ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Station Honours

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

(1863) For the rescue of the crew of the brig Friends of Newport on 8 February 1863
Mr David Williams, of HM Customs
(1974) For the rescue of 4 from the cabin cruiser Lady Jane on 10 August 1974
David Williams, crew member
  • Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
(1974) For the rescue of 4 from the cabin cruiser Lady Jane on 10 August 1974
Anthony Mills, Helmsman
Andrew Coghill, crew member
  • A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
(1972) For his valuable services as a member of the crew from 1920 to 1931
Mr Ellis Williams, Bowman

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle. Cambridge University Press. 1863. ISBN 9781108054546. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Aberdyfi Lifeboat". Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "RNLI – Aberdovey Lifeboat Station". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  4. 1 2 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2023). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2023. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society.
  5. ↑ "Aberdyfi RNLI welcomes new lifeboat". Retrieved 7 December 2016.
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