RNLI Barmouth - Ella Larsen’s first shout!

The boathouse was a hive of activity with the six seats on the Shannon quickly filled and the additional volunteer crew there in support of this historic occasion.

At 11.04pm Ella Larsen launched in calm seas with good visibility to the aid of a 15 metre fishing vessel in distress, 15 miles west of the causeway buoy, with 8 crew on board.

ALB Ella Larsen towed the stricken fishing vessel towards Fishguard before transferring the tow to waiting Fishguard RNLI Trent Class lifeboat Blue Peter VII who towed her the last 18 miles to harbour. ALB Ella Larsen and her volunteer crew headed for home arriving back on station at 6.15am and was readied for service by 7.29am.

Coxswain Peter Davies said: ‘This is a historic moment in Barmouth RNLI history. The crew have trained long and hard for many months on Ella Larsen and the Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS). On the night it was treated like any other shout, but we can now look back and celebrate on a very positive outcome for her first launch on service. A very long but rewarding night for the volunteer boat and shore crew.”

For more information please contact Sarah Radford Barmouth Lifeboat Deputy Press Officer on 07887 492210 or Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer – Wales and North West on 07771 941390 / 01745 585162

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally, the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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.