Burry Port's station history

Established at Llanelly in 1852, marking the beginning of organised lifeboat rescue services in the area.

The station is officially taken over by the RNLI, becoming part of the wider national lifesaving network.

Operations at the station are closed following changes to local rescue requirements.

The lifeboat service is moved to Pembrey in 1863 to provide improved coverage of the surrounding coastline.

Lifeboat operations in the area are re-opened in 1869 as demand for maritime rescue services increases once again.

The Institution forms a new lifeboat establishment at Burry Port, near Llanelly, and places a large lifeboat there (11 metres long, 2.5 metres wide, and rowing 12 oars). This station becomes a necessity when the station at Pembrey closes due to the constant increase of sand there.

The cost of the station is covered by a legacy bequeathed by the late Mrs J S Barclay of Edmonton and, in accordance with her wishes, the boat is named David Barclay of Tottenham (ON110), after her late husband. The lifeboat house costs £250 to construct, less the allowance of £50 for the old Pembrey lifeboat house.

The station is later relocated to Burry Port in 1887, where access to the harbour and coastline is more effective.

Terms agreed with local tug owners for use of their tugs, £15 each time tug towed out lifeboat on service and £5 on exercise.

A new self-righting lifeboat, named David Barclay of Tottenham (ON262), is placed on service.

A new self-righting lifeboat, also named David Barclay of Tottenham (ON296), is placed on service.

Station closed as the estuary is amply guarded by the neighbouring lifeboat station.

The Burry Port station closes in 1914 after many years of service supporting local crews and mariners.

An increase in boating activity in the 1960s and early 1970s leads to a number of drowning incidents. As a result, the station re-opens in 1973 with a D class inshore lifeboat.

Lifeboat operations are successfully re-established in 1973, restoring RNLI rescue cover to the area.

A new D class lifeboat, D-331 Dorothy Way, is placed on service.

Extensive work to the boathouse is carried out in order to provide improved crew facilities.

New D class lifeboat D-472 Kip and Kath is placed on service on 18 October.

Following the visit on 5 September 2001 by the Coast Review delegation, led by Commodore R C Hastie, it is agreed by the Search and Rescue Committee on 6 February 2002 (and resolved by the Executive Committee at their meeting on 10 April 2002), that there be no change to the lifeboat cover provided at Burry Port Lifeboat Station. It is also resolved that the potential use of a hovercraft in this area be further investigated along with the long-term requirement for a B class Atlantic/FIBI inshore lifeboat.

The new station D class lifeboat D-611 The Young Watsons is placed on service on 17 September 2003. This lifeboat is funded by Mr and Mrs WK Bache. Lifeboat D-472 Kip and Kath is withdrawn to the relief fleet.

Temporary boathouse for A85 completed in November.

A new B class lifeboat B-768 Blue Peter II donated by the BBC children’s programme Blue Peter.

The new station Atlantic 75 B-731 Dorothy Selina is placed on service 3 October 2011.

The new station D class lifeboat D-749 Diane Hilary is placed on service in December. This lifeboat is provided by generous support of Mr David Cole. Lifeboat D-611 The Young Watsons is withdrawn to the relief fleet.

Following the visit on Wednesday 25 January 2012 by the Coast Review delegation, led by Rear Admiral John Tolhurst, it is agreed by the Operations Committee on 21 March 2012 and resolved by the Trustee Board at their meeting on 4 April 2012 that there be no change to the lifeboat cover provided by Burry Port Lifeboat Station, and that the requirement for a B class ILB is resolved on completion of the current trial in 2013.

A lifeboat stationed at Llanelly by the Shipwrecked Fishermen's and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society.

SFMRBS boats taken over by RNLI.

Llanelly closed.  New station opened at Pembrey, on weather side (in normal prevailing winds) of entrance to the port.

A new SR lifeboat City of Bath, built at cost of £203, was placed on service and located close to the old Pembrey harbour.

The Llanelly station was re-opened at Pembrey, after some local pressure.  A special iron lifeboat provided and place on pilot/light vessel CERES (see Lifeboat Journal October 1869).  This was wrecked in October 1870.  The lifeboat and stores were recovered, but station closed.

A second boathouse was built in a plantation near the village and a new SR lifeboat Stanton Meyrick of Pimlico 3, built at a cost of £252, was placed on service.

Lifeboat Journal August gives full description of Pembrey.

Pembrey closed owing to constant increase of sand in the locality.