Big step forward for St Davids RNLI with first slipway launch at new station

It was a historic day for the station and its volunteers on Thursday (21 July) as the Tamar class lifeboat Norah Wortley launched down the slipway from the new station at St Justinian's for the first time.

The lifeboat, which has been saving lives at sea from a temporary mooring in the Ramsey Sound while the new boathouse build has been progressing, entered her new home to launch five times during the day of slipway trials testing.

The trials mark a significant milestone for the construction of the new St Davids RNLI Lifeboat Station and involved RNLI volunteers from St Davids and representatives from the RNLI's operations department. The trials saw the Tamar class lifeboat launched and recovered at various tide levels to test the newly built slipway, as well as the winching and launching equipment.

Dai John, St Davids RNLI Coxswain, said: 'This was a proud day for the station and the trials proved to be a great success. Seeing the lifeboat launch down the newly built slipway for the first time was a huge thrill for everyone connected with the station.

'The community has been hugely supoprtive in the project - raising over £214,000 towards the costs during the fundraising appeal - so it was great to see people here to see the first launch.

'Most of the structural aspects of the new station are now complete and the build team are putting the finishing touches to the building. It is hoped the new lifeboat station will be fully operational in the Autumn and we are all really excited to move in.'

As well as the new slipway for the Tamar-class lifeboat, the new boathouse will have additional space to accommodate the smaller D-class inshore lifeboat. It will also include state-of the art facilities for the volunteer crew, including a drying room for kit and better provision from training and equipment maintenance.

There will be better access to the new station which is important for the delivery of equipment and, more importantly, for the evacuation of any casualties brought in by the lifeboat. 

Notes to editors:

The attached pictures should all be credited to Lyndon Lomax. Caption: The first launch of St Davids RNLI's Tamar class lifeboat down the new station slipway during successful tests. 

The attached video should be credited to RNLI/Gareth Morris.

Media Contacts:

For more information please contact Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].

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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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