Aberdovey Lifeboat Station (Welsh: Gorsaf Bad Achub Aberdyfi) is located in the coastal village of Aberdyfi, on the north bank of the River Dyfi estuary, on Cardigan Bay, in the county of Gwynedd, West Wales.
A lifeboat was first placed at Aberdovey in 1837. Management of the station was transferred to the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) in 1853. The RNIPLS became the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1854.[1]
Since 2016, the station has operated a B-class (Atlantic 85) inshore lifeboat, RNLB Hugh Miles (B-896), launched by tractor.[2]
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.[1]
In February 1863 David Williams was awarded an RNLI Silver Medal for putting out to the stranded brigFriends 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-0d for rescuing six crew of the stranded barqueWilliam Bromham.[3]
In 1886 a plot was bought for £150 and a new boathouse built for £320.[1][4]
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.[4] His dependants were awarded £50 compensation by the RNLI's Committee of Management.[1]
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-classB-class lifeboat.[1][4]
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.[4]
From 1998 to 2016, the station operated an Atlantic 75-class inshore lifeboat, RNLB Sandwell Lifeline (B-758), launched by tractor, and making an average of 25 emergency launches a year.[4] She replaced B-559, which has transferred to the British Virgin Islands as a rescue craft.[1]
Station honours
A number of awards have been made to recognise exemplary service.[1][4][5]
