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Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station officially reopens after refurbishment

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI volunteers from the crew, shop and fundraising branch came together on Saturday 7 September with other supporters of the station to celebrate the formal reopening after a major refurbishment over the winter months.

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Children of the crew cut the ribbon to celebrate the station reopening, as LOM Andy Grey looks on.

To mark the occasion the children of the operational crew members and supporters were asked to cut the ribbon to mark a series of improvements that help make the station fit for purpose in the 21st century. There were also presentations to those that had kindly supported the station during redevelopment works, to allow the service to continue in a temporary location and continue the 24/7 response that the RNLI offers to save lives at sea.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Andy Grey said of the occasion:

‘The station opening was extremely successful. Not only the weather held out, but personnel from the station including officers and crew, branch members and shop volunteers were in attendance along with guests from our neighbouring RNLI stations. The occasion truly represented the ‘One Crew’ philosophy. To make it even more special the children of the crew were invited to formally open the new refurbishment of the station. A lovely gesture but also a great memory’.

Area Operations Manager Roger Bryan Smith DL commented:

‘I am absolutely delighted that Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station has been refurbished to such a high standard. The crew devote an immense amount of their spare time to training to save lives at sea, and it’s marvellous that they now have such great facilities. The lifeboat shop has been modernised as well, giving our volunteers a much better working environment’.

Also in attendance were Gemma Gill, Coxswain of Fishguard Lifeboat and Will Chant, Coxswain of St.Davids station, who were on hand to make the presentations and show their support for the new station in Little Haven. The ceremony had a strong sense of community throughout and handing over the baton to the next generation of lifeboat crew, who will be using these new facilities in the future to carry out the lifesaving work of the RNLI.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact the Little and Broad Haven Press Officer, Denys Bassett-Jones at [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or at [email protected].

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Retired crew member Amanda Diggins receives a Certificate of Service from St.Davids Coxswain Will Chant

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Presentations were made to thank those who had supported us during the station refurbishment

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Malcolm Whitewright receives a medal from Gemma Gill, Coxswain of Fishguard Lifeboat, in recognition of long service

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Lifeboat Operations Manager Andy Grey addressed the audience

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Friends and supporters were given the chance to look at the new facilities and meet the invited guests

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

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