Croeso i Wefan Gorsaf Bad Achub Criccieth Welcome to the Criccieth Lifeboat Station Website

This home page shows the latest service launches, exercise dates and the latest news from the station.

Site last updated 18 July 2010

Our lifeboat station is located in the small seaside resort of Criccieth and covers the north eastern corner of Cardigan Bay. The station has been in existence since 1853 and currently operates both an Atlantic 85 lifeboat "DORIS JOAN" which was placed on service at the station on 6th November 2007 and an Arrancia Inshore Rescue Boat (A-73) which iarrived on 28th January, 2010. The IRB is primarily used for work in the shallow waters of the Glaslyn and Dwyryd estuaries..

2010 Service Calls - 30 calls have been answered so far in 2010

2009 Service Calls - 27 calls were answered in 2009

2008 Service Calls - 20 calls were answered in 2008

2007 Service Calls - 23 calls were answered in 2007

2006 Service Calls- 32 calls were answered in 2006

Latest Service Launches -

18 July 2010 1330 - the Atlantic 85 was launched to search for a kitesurfer in difficulties in Samson's Bay in the Porthmadog estuary. He was picked up and brought ashore by a jet skir prior to the arrival of the lifeboat.

17 July 2010 1605 - the Arancia IRB proceeded to assist a small rowing boat aground between Ynys and Portmeirion. The occupants managed to drag the boat safely ashore and the IRB then returned to station.

16 July 2010 0008 - shortly after midnight the Arancia IRB was launched to assist in securing a 38' motor boat which had broken adrift in Porthmadog Harbour. With assistance from crew members ashore this task was achieved ensuring that the boat was safe and not a hazard to other boats in the harbour. It also prevented her from being driven against the Britannia Bridge in the stormy conditions prevailing. Lifeboat personnel also assisted from shore to prevent two yachts from being driven onto the quayside by the large spring tide.

27 June 2010 1604 - the Atlantic 85 and later the Arancia IRB were launched to a large power boat which had fouled its propeller on a marker buoy rope off Criccieth beach. Following difficulty in cutting the rope free the propeller was eventually freed and the boat was able to return to Pwllheli.

Exercise Launches -

Thursday nights

There is now an exercise / training meeting every Thursday night with the crew meeting at 1800. The lifeboat will normally launch between 1815 and 1830. There may be some nights where only shore based training will take place in the boathouse.

Sunday morning

An exercise will also take place on the second Sunday in every month with the lifeboat launching between 8.45 and 9.00.

If you are travelling some distance to see the launch please contact the Lifeboat Operations Manager on 01766 523183 or 07802 940678 to check if the exercise is taking place:

Latest News-

Whitby Historic Lifeboat

The Whitby Historic Lifeboat "William Riley of Birmingham and Leamington" visited Porthmadog for the Ffestiniog Railway Mayday event. On Saturday, 8th May she was rowed from Porthmadog to Criccieth and back by members of the lifeboat crew and Porthmadog Rowing Club.

2010 Open Day

This will take place on Sunday, 15th August

Pride of Wylfa Award

Criccieth lifeboatman Huw Owen was recently awarded a “Pride of Wylfa Award”.
Huw is employed at the Wylfa Power Station in Anglesey and was nominated by his workmates for the award which is given to employees who carry out community service in their local community.
At a recent ceremony Huw was presented with his award by Nick Gore, Wylfa Site Director and at the same time a cheque for £250 towards the work of the Criccieth Lifeboat Station was presented to Peter Williams, the station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager.

left to right Nick Gore, Huw Owen, Peter Williams

Chief Executive's Award -

Paul Filby the station's Senior Helmsman who joined with his colleagues from the RNLI's Flood Rescue team to move people to safety from the floods in Cumbria in November 2009 has been awarded the RNLI Chief Executive's Award for his efforts there. Over 200 people were assisted by the RNLI teams. Paul will be appearing on a special BBC "Songs of Praise" programme from Cockermouth on BBC 1 at 5pm on Sunday 21 February 2010.

2009 Open Day

A very successful Open Day took place on Sunday, 9th August, 2009. Although not meant to be a fundraising event over £640 was raised for the RNLI's funds during the day. Many thanks to all who helped on the day.

Arrancia Inshore Rescue Boat arrives on station

The new Arrancia IRB arrived on station on 30th July 2009 and was launched for work up trials in the Porthmadog Estuary on the morning of Saturday, 1st August. It took exactly the same time for the Arrancia to arrive at Borth y Gest having been towed by the station's new landrover as it did for the Atlantic 85 to travel from Criccieth by sea.

Arrancia to be stationed at Criccieth for work in the shallow waters of the Glaslyn and Dwyryd Estuaries

Trials took place with a D class lifeboat, Y class lifeboat and an Arrancia IRB on 13 June to see if the problems encountered with shallow water could be overcome. Initial trials to familiarise the crew with the Arrancia took place on 11 June. As a result of these trials an Arrancia IRB will be placed on extended trials at Criccieth. She will be launched either from the beach at Criccieth or towed by an RNLI land rover for launching in Porthmadog Harbour. She is expected to arrive on 30th July, 2009.

Filming for Welsh Language Children's Programme "Cei Bach"

A new televison programme for children aged 3-7 is being filmed in the Borth y Gest area. Similar to the English language Balamory programme 52 15 minute episodes are being prepared for showing on S4C - the Welsh language television channel over the next two years. The lifeboat was involved in filming a rescue scene on Sunday, 10th May when the family who star in the programme had to be rescued after being "cut off by the tide".

Visitors since 1st March 2006

If you require any further information email LOM@cricciethlifeboat.org.uk