Book charting 150 year history of lifesaving at Porthdinllaen RNLI launched

A large crowd gathered down at the station for the launch of the book, with those purchasing a copy on the day being able to have it signed by Nicholas himself.

The book, called ‘Porthdinllaen lifeboat: An Illustrated History’, covers the the thousands of rescue missions undertaken by the volunteer lifeboat crews of Porthdinllaen RNLI off the Llyn coast and the service provided to shipping and craft using the Irish Sea for a century-and-a-half.

The book covers all of the medal winning rescues, as well as many of the other services which the lifeboats have performed. It describes all of the lifeboats, from the early rowing and sailing boats to the state-of-the-art Tamar class lifeboat John D Spicer now in service and the building of the new boathouse at Porthdinllaen.

Ken Fitzpatrick, Lifeboat Operations Manger at Porthdinllaen RNLI, said: ‘We are extremely grateful to Nicholas Leach, who has worked in conjunction with volunteers at the station to produce this comprehensive and authoritative history of the station.

'The book has been well received by all.'

The book launch event will conclude with the launching of the John D Spicer lifeboat on exercise.

Copies of the book, priced at £14.99, are available at the RNLI Shop at Porthdinllaen and local shops. 

Notes to editors:

Picture 1 shows Coxswain Mike Davies with Nicholas Leach on board the Porthdinllaen RNLI lifeboat with a copy of the book
Picture 2 shows two local girls, Nanw and Nel Roberts, with author Nicholas Leach at the book signing event at the station

For more information please contact Dylan Thomas, Lifeboat Press Officer at Porthdinllaen RNLI, on 07747 600019 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 01745 585162 or 07748 265496.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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