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

Site last updated 28 June 2009

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 an Atlantic 85 lifeboat "DORIS JOAN" which was placed on service at the station on 6th November 2007.

2009 Service Calls - 7 calls have been answered so far 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 Launches -

23 June 2009 1734 - the lifeboat was launched to assist a small fishing boat which hadrun out of fuel south of Mochras Lagoon. The boat and its two occupants were towed back to Porthmadog Harbour as there was insufficient water to enter Mochras Lagoon.

11 June 2009 1645 - the lifeboat was launched to assist a jetski and two occupants which were stranded in an inaccessible cove on Penychaid Headland. After some difficulty in re-launching the jetski the two occupants were taken aboard the lifeboat and the jetski was then towed back to Criccieth.

Trials with smaller boats for shallow waters of Glaslyn and Dwyryd Estuaries

Trials will take 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 can be overcome. Initial trials to familiarise the crew with the Arrancia took place on 11 June.

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".

Open Day 2009

Please note that the Open Day is on Sunday 9 August from 1100 to 1600. We are hoping that Stormy Sam will be present again this year.

Swimmer Rescued

5 July 2008 1245 The lifeboat was launched to search for a missing swimmer off Black Rock Beach. After a lengthy search involving the lifeboat and a rescue helicopter at sea and coastguards/ beach patrol and ambulance crew ashore the missing man was seen by the helicopter crew and the lifeboat was conned to him. He was taken aboard the lifeboat suffering from shock and being very cold. After being wrapped in a survival bag he was immediately taken ashore and placed in the care of the ambulance crew who took him to hospital. A very good service! Photo Courtesy of Malcolm Humphreys, Gwynedd Council Maritime Service

Letter of Appreciation from RNLI Chief of Operations

Criccieth lifeboatmen Gordon Emery, Mark Hobley and Keith Allmark have received a letter of appreciation from the charity’s Operations Director Michael Vlasto, for rescuing a man who became stranded on a sandbank when the tide came in around him.

They have been commended for their actions as crew members during the service on 25, September, 2007. Holyhead Coastguard requested the launch of Criccieth lifeboat at 6.45pm following reports that a man was trapped by the incoming tide close to the Portmeirion Hotel.

The RNLI lifeboat “MERCURIUS” was promptly launched, and despite problems with the shallowness of the water in some parts of the estuary, quickly reached the man who had been swept under water several times and was totally immersed when the lifeboat reached him. Mark Hobley jumped into the chest deep water and assisted him onto the lifeboat. He was cold and disorientated. A rescue helicopter from RAF Valley was now on scene, and in view of the man’s condition, he was airlifted from the lifeboat into the helicopter and transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd at Bangor. In his letter Mr Vlasto says:‘This was a noteworthy service. I commend Gordon for his seamanship and use of his local knowledge to get the B class to the man’s position despite the navigational problems and the fact that he is not a fully qualified helmsman. Mark did well to recover the man, and all three of the crew worked as a team to assist, assess and ensure that the man was quickly on his way to hospital by helicopter. Well done indeed, all of you!’

Here is a link to a video of the rescue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMtRQyjs2Nw

Naming Ceremony for new Atlantic 85 lifeboat 3rd May

In glorious sunshine and with hundreds of spectators present the lifeboat "DORIS JOAN" was officially named by Miss Alex Vlasto.

The DORIS JOAN lifeboat afloat after the Naming Ceremony

(The above photo was taken by Crew Member Andrew Green aboard the Pwllheli Lifeboat which was present offshore.)

Atlantic 85 in rough weather 3rd February 2008

Radar Mobile Training Unit visits Criccieth

The RNLI's Radar MTU is at Criccieth from 12th until 17th January - seven crew members were trained on the weekend of 12th/13th January with another seven being trained each evening the following week. Here are some photographs showing the MTU and the crew training inside it.

New Atlantic 85 lifeboat "DORIS JOAN" placed on service Tuesday, 6th November, 2007

These photographs are of the station's new Atlantic 85 lifeboat "DORIS JOAN" on trials on 5/6th November. She was officially placed on service on the Tuesday afternoon after which the Atlantic 75 lifeboat "MERCURIUS" was launched for the last time and taken to Pwllheli MArina where she was lifted out of the water and placed on a road trailer for her journey back to the Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes.

2007

Visitors since 1st March 2006

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

wimmer Saved in Dramatic Rescue at Black Rock Beach