Penlee RNLI lifeboat station begins to take shape as the timber frame is erected

Work began on site during July with contractors Symons Construction establishing the site compound and diverting existing services to clear the footprint for the new building. The old station was demolished, before piling work began to establish the foundations for the new building. The concrete slab foundation was poured a couple of weeks ago.

Ben Holtaway, RNLI Coastal Infrastructure Engineer says people can expect to see a lot of activity and equipment around the site over the coming weeks;

‘Visible progress during the initial phase of the build often seems slow, but this is a really busy and important time for the contractors as they work to establish a solid base on which to build upon.

‘With the foundations and slab laid, the erection of the timber frame is a really exciting stage as we now start to see some progress above ground. The contractors will initially build up the brick work around the bottom of the building before a crane arrives on site to begin hoisting the panels, which have been constructed in the workshop in St Ives, into place piece by piece.

The whole process will take around three weeks with the community able to see the building start to take shape day by day. The crew and other Penlee volunteers will see their station start to become a reality.’

The volunteer crew are continuing to operate from their temporary accommodation adjacent to the old inshore lifeboat station at the southern end of the Newlyn Harbour.

Patch Harvey, RNLI Coxswain says;

‘The new station will be very much part of the local community who have donated generously towards the cost of the build. It will be great for us all to see the building come together before Christmas and fascinating to watch.’

Notes to editors

• Please find attached three pictures showing the construction of the timber frame and the new station taking shape. Credit RNLI

• Penlee’s current lifeboat station in Newlyn was built in 1983 as a temporary measure but unfortunately, 34 years on, it is no longer fit for purpose. With approximately 25 volunteer crew and additional shore crew as well as fundraisers using the building, there is an urgent need for more space.

• Designed by architects Studio Four Ltd, the new two storey station will provide a larger crew room, training room, changing room and workshop, along with a visitor engagement area and is hoped will be operational in Summer 2019.

For more information please contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 07920 818807 or [email protected] or Elaine Trethowan, Penlee RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07704669406 or [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.

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