Barry Dock RNLI’s first coxswain honoured as station approaches 125 years

Born in Cardigan in 1856, Owens moved to Barry in 1891 shortly after the Docks were opened. He played a significant part in establishing a lifeboat presence in the town and took part in 29 of the first 30 call-outs from The John Wesley, launched in 1901. He lived on Ivor Street on Barry Island and was active in local life, including the early lifesaving club and the town’s Eisteddfod.

Bill Kitchen, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Barry Dock RNLI, said:

‘Evan Owens helped lay the foundations for everything we do today. His commitment to saving lives at sea shaped the beginnings of our lifeboat station and set a standard that our volunteers are proud to uphold more than a century later. As we build up to our 125th anniversary next year, it feels especially fitting to recognise his contribution to Barry, and we were honoured to be part of the unveiling ceremony.’

Also at the ceremony was Cllr Nic Hodges, Chair of Barry Town Council’s Halls, Cemeteries and Community Facilities Committee, said:

‘At Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery, we continue to pay tribute and inform visitors of those who played a major role in the public life of Barry.

As the first RNLI coxswain at Barry Docks, Evan Owens worked hard to promote safety at sea and put his life at risk on many occasions to bring others safely to shore, and it is right that we recognise and remember this.’

The event was attended by the Mayor of Barry, Cllr Dennis Clarke, alongside representatives from Barry Dock RNLI, members of Evan Owens’s family and Barry Town Councillors.

Notes to editor - Key Information About the Barry Dock Lifeboat Station:

· Barry Dock Lifeboat Station has been saving lives since 1901, and in July 2024, the station opened its new state-of-the-art facility.

· The RNLI Visitor Experience, opened in 2017, was one of the UK’s first RNLI drowning prevention centres, focusing on beach safety education for families.

· Barry Dock Lifeboat Station operates as part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity that saves lives at sea.

· The RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service across the UK and Ireland.

· Barry Dock Lifeboat Station operates an all-weather lifeboat and an inshore D-class lifeboat, providing search and rescue services along the Vale of Glamorgan coast.

For further information, please contact:

Lisa Newberry, Lifeboat Press Officer, Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, 07977 922889. Alternatively, you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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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.