Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station

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Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station
Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station - geograph.org.uk - 512404.jpg
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Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
General information
Type RNLI Lifeboat Station
Location Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales
Country Wales, UK
Coordinates 52°24′32″N4°05′20″W / 52.40878°N 4.08893°W / 52.40878; -4.08893
Opened1861 (independent from 1843)
Owner Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station in the coastal resort of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, West Wales. It was established in 1861, but there has been a lifeboat serving the town since 1843.

Contents

In 2023, the station received a new B-class (Atlantic 85) Inshore lifeboat, RNLB Florence and Ernest Bowles (B-937), which is launched by submersible tractor. [1]

The station also has an Arancia IRB as support for the larger Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

Aberystwyth's Atlantic 75-class RNLB Enid Mary (B-704) Aberystwyth Lifeboat B704.jpg
Aberystwyth's Atlantic 75-class RNLB Enid Mary (B-704)

Aberystwyth's Atlantic 75 RNLB Enid Mary (B-704)

History

The first lifeboat at Aberystwyth was a 27-foot, 6-oared boat funded by public subscription in 1843 and under the control of the harbour master. In 1861 the RNLI took over the service, completing a chain of RNLI stations along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Strumble Head to the Llŷn Peninsula.

The 10-oared Evelyn Wood was the first RNLI lifeboat. [2] [3]

A severe gale on 29 December 1900 saw Coxswain David Williams launch the lifeboat to a fishing smack; in heavy seas three lifeboatmen (Jack Williams, Tom Jones and J.C. Rea) were thrown overboard but were rescued by their fellow crewmen. Despite the loss of most of their oars, they managed to beach the lifeboat and hold it until the tide ebbed. In the meantime the fishermen, whose boat was wrecked on the rocks, made it safely to shore. [4]

In February 1946 Frederick Angus (ON 757) was at sea for more than 24 hours in severe weather standing by the broken-down submarine HMS Universal and helping to rescue her crew. [5]

In 1964 Aberystwyth was the first RNLI lifeboat station to change from offshore to solely inshore lifeboats. [6]

The Arancia IRB was established at Aberystwyth in 2011 and was dedicated in Holy Trinity Church, it is believed to be the first and only lifeboat to be dedicated within a church. [7] [8]

Aberystwyth Lifeboats

Aberystwyth has been served by a number of lifeboats in its more than 150 years of operation by the RNLI and more than 170 years in total. [6] [9] [10] [11]

All-weather lifeboats (ALBs)

ON [lower-alpha 1] NameIn service [12] ClassComments
–Unnamed1843–186227-foot Pulling (6 oars)Independent lifeboat under Harbourmaster's control
–Evelyn Wood1862–187632-foot Self-righting (P&S)First RNLI lifeboat,(10 oars)
–Lady Haberfield1876–188135-foot Self-righting (P&S)
–Lady Haberfield1881–188735-foot Self-righting (P&S)
128Elizabeth Lloyd1887–190634-foot Self-righting (P&S)
562John and Naomi Beattie1906–193235-foot Self-righting (P&S)(10 oars)
757Frederick Angus1932–1949 35ft 6in Self-righting motor
745Lady Harrison1949–1951 35ft 6in Self-righting motor
892 Aguila Wren 1951–1964 Liverpool
All Weather Lifeboat withdrawn in 1964

Inshore lifeboats (ILBs)

Op. No. [lower-alpha 2] NameIn service [1] ClassComments
D-1Unnamed1963 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-19Unnamed1964 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-30Unnamed1965–1967 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-140Unnamed1967–1969 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-28Unnamed1969–1970 D-class (RFD PB16)
D-186Unnamed1970–1983 D-class (RFD PB16)
C-509
(D-509)		Oats1983–1993 C-class Originally D-509 until reclassified as a C-class
B-590Wolverson X-Ray1993–1994 Atlantic 21
B-704Enid Mary1994–2007 Atlantic 75
B-822Spirit of Friendship2007–2023 Atlantic 85
A-73Unnamed2011–2012 Arancia
A-78Wren2012– Arancia
B-937Florence and Ernest Bowles2023– Atlantic 85
  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.

Launching Vehicles (Atlantic-class)

Talus MB4H Launching Tractor Submersible tractor - Aberystwyth - geograph.org.uk - 1741092.jpg
Talus MB4H Launching Tractor
Op. No. [lower-alpha 1] Reg No.ClassIn Service [1] Comments
TW03RLJ 367R Talus MB-764 County 1992–1996
TW40P472 PUJ Talus MB-764 County 1996–2002
TW54HDU02 WEJ Talus MB4H Hydrostatic Mk2 2002–2009
TW46HV938 EAW Talus MB4H Hydrostatic Mk1.5 2009–2013The first MkII Bendy
TW28HN671 UAW Talus MB4H Hydrostatic Mk3 2013–2014
TW19HJ120 VNT Talus MB4H Hydrostatic Mk2 2014–
  1. ↑ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Awards

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

Visitor access

This station is classed as an RNLI "Observe" lifeboat station; it welcomes visitors via appointment. [13]

Groups (schools, clubs, organisations) who wish to visit the station can request a tour and presentation via the stations website. [14]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  2. 1 2 "Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station History" . Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "History Points – Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station" . Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "A Great Gale – Many lifeboats at work" . Western Mail. British Newspaper Archive. 29 December 1900. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Lifeboats get gallant crew off submarine" . Lancashire Daily Post. British Newspaper Archive. 5 February 1946. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Peoples Collection Wales" . Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "RNLI lifeboat's Welsh church blessing is UK first". walesonline. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Blessing in church for rescue craft | The Times". The Times. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "A History of Courage". 22 May 1987. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  10. ↑ "Lifeboat Landmarks". 29 May 1987. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  11. ↑ "Inshore rescue – 3 miles from the sea". 5 June 1987. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  12. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2021). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2021. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 2–18.
  13. ↑ "Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station". RNLI. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  14. ↑ Lifeboat, Aberystwyth. "Visit Us". www.aberystwythlifeboat.org.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
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