Burry Port RNLI one step closer to exciting new chapter
RNLI volunteers are pleased to announce that Carmarthenshire County Council have supported their planning application for a new lifesaving centre at Burry Port.
Plans for a new lifesaving centre were submitted to the council back in January and the charity are pleased to announce that the application was successful. A new build is needed because the current boathouse is too small and outdated for the RNLI’s plans to establish a lifesaving centre at the town. The lifesaving centre will help promote safety education and enhance visitor experience within the town.
The two-storey building will offer the extra space required to house both lifeboats and will help speed up the launch process when the crew are called out on a lifesaving mission. It also includes modern training and changing facilities for the volunteer crew, a mechanic’s workshop, a shop and a viewing area so the public can view the lifeboats. There will also be display areas for the volunteers to mount exhibitions and share information about their lifesaving work and to help promote sea safety.
Roger Bowen, Burry Port Lifeboat Operations Manager said:
‘This is excellent news for Burry Port RNLI and the start of an exciting new chapter in the station’s 71 year history. We would like to thank Carmarthenshire County Council and the community for their support with this project. The RNLI will now proceed with the detail design and construction phase of this iconic building.’
Burry Port lifeboat station was opened in its current location in 1887 and was operated until 1914 when it was agreed that neighbouring stations provided sufficient cover. In 1973, as a result of the increase in drowning incidents in Carmarthen Bay, the station was reopened with a D-Class inshore lifeboat. In 2002, the RNLI concluded that the station would benefit from the addition of a B-Class Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat which is housed in the nearby steel annex building.
Notes to editor:
Attached are artist's impressions of the proposed build at Burry Port. Credit: Lewis Partnership.
RNLI media contact
For more information contact Alun Wells, Burry Port Lifeboat Press Officer on 07929 783239. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or email [email protected].
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.