Demolition of Penlee’s lifeboat station to make way for new facility

A number of crew and volunteers from Penlee RNLI were at the site this morning to watch the building come down and witness the start of the next phase towards the new station being realised. 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.

The current station was cleared out ahead of demolition and the volunteer crew have moved into the temporary accommodation adjacent to the old inshore lifeboat building at the southern end of the Newlyn Harbour car park. They will operate from here throughout the rest of the build, ensuring that Penlee RNLI’s lifeboat operations will be unaffected.

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.

At around 10am today subcontractors Gilpin Demolition began the process of taking down the current lifeboat station making way for the new building.

Janet Madron, Penlee RNLI Chair said; ‘We are thrilled to see that the building of our new lifeboat station has taken a big step in the right direction. We couldn’t have reached this stage without the amazing support of our local community and beyond - a huge thank you to all our fundraisers, to our generous donors, and to everyone who has donated to the Penlee Lifeboat Station Appeal. Another chapter in Penlee’s long history has begun.’

Patch Harvey, Coxswain of Penlee RNLI said ‘We are all looking forward to seeing the start of the new build which will give us a much improved, purpose built lifeboat station. The crew will have first class changing and training facilities, and the addition of a Visitors Centre will enable us to share important RNLI safety messages and the long and meritorious history of Penlee Lifeboat Station.’

Ben Holtaway, Coastal Infrastructure Engineer says demolition will take a couple of days;

‘Complete demolition of the lifeboat station and existing foundation slab will take around two days. A grab mounted on a 20 tonne excavator will take the building down piece by piece and Gilpin will sort the rubble into timber, plasterboard and aggregate which will all be sent for recycling. Once complete the site will be cleared, levelled and made ready for the arrival of the piling rig.

We are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum and appreciate the cooperation and support from those using and working in the harbour who are directly affected.’

Notes to editors

• Please find attached the following pictures

  • RNLI volunteers Mike Hersant, Andrew Munson, Patch Harvey, Roy Pascoe and Janet Madron Credit RNLI/Phil Monckton

  • Three pictures of the first stage of the demolition credit RNLI/Phil Monckton

  • Image of current Penlee lifeboat station

  • 3D image of the proposed new Penlee Lifeboat Station credit RNLI/Studio Four Architects Ltd

• 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.

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]

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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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