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 8th June 2013

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 "Margaret and Nantw"(A-76) which arrived on 16th June, 2011. The IRB is primarily used for work in the shallow waters of the Glaslyn and Dwyryd estuaries..

2013 Service Calls - 12 calls have been answered so far in 2013

2012 Service Calls -  33 calls were answered in 2012

2010 Service Calls - 60 calls were answered 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 -

8 June 1742 (Atlantic 85)

A jet ski and banana float were observed broken down between Criccieth and Black Rock Head. The Atlantic 85 was launched and rescued the three occupants towing the jet ski and float to Black Rock beach from where they had set out.

26 May   1305 (Arancia IRB)

At 1305 whilst still alongside the catamaran the coastguards ashore reported a jetski in difficulties on a sandbank off Garreg Goch. The Arancia proceeded there and assisted, with the aid of a nearby jet ski,  to get the jetski refloated.

26 May   1235 (Arancia IRB)  1236 (Atlantic 85)

The catamaran "Squirrel" broke down in the Porthmadog estuary and as the tide was ebbing fast both boats were launched. The Arancia managed to get alongside the catamaran and made sure that the crew of three and their dog were safe and well. She checked that the anchor was properly laid out and as the tide was ebbing offered to take the crew ashore. THey decided to remain aboard and to try and get a mechanic to repair the engine during the afternoon. The Atlantic 85 could get no nearer than 250 yards to the catamaran.

16 May   1720 (Atlantic 85)  1725 (Arancia IRB)

A report was received of a missing four year old boy who had last been seen in the sea at Black Rock beach. The Atlantic 85 was launched at 1720 and when she arrived on scene two minutes later discovered that she could get no closer than 250 yards from the shoreline. She asked for the Arancia IRB to be launched to carry out a close inshore search. After a short search by both boats the missing boy was found safe and well with his family ashore.

16 May   2105 (Atlantic 85)  2125 (Arancia IRB)

At 1830, as both lifeboats were launching on exercise, a speedboat and jetski were seen launching from the main beach at Criccieth. They were intending to go to Abersoch and back. By 2100 there was no sign of their return and concern was felt for their safety. The Atlantic 85 was about to complete her exercise and it was decided that she should proceed towards Penychain to see if there was any sign of the speedbopat and jetski. She reached Penychain and reported no sign of the craft. As darkness was approaching it was then decided to start a search for them and the lifeboat was instructed to search as far as Pwllheli. At 2120 the lifeboat came across the jetski proceeding towards Cricciethon its own. The owner was wearing flimsy clothing and wet. He said that the speedboat was ashore on Abererch beach and out of fuel. The Arancia IRB was launched at 2125 to meet the jetski and escort him back to Criccieth. The Atlantic 85 found the speedboat on Abererch beach, towed her and the two occupants off the beach and brought them back to Criccieth.

14 May 1814 (Atlantic 85)   1830 (Arancia IRB)

The yacht "Sea Wisp" ran aground on Porthmadog Bar whilst attempting to enter Porthmadog harbour at low water. The Atlantic 85 was launched but could not get alongside the yacht due to the state of the tide. The Arancia IRB was then launched and managed to take off the sole occupant and his dog. They were transferred to the Atlantic which brought them back to Criccieth. The Arancia remained with the yacht. The Atlantic returned and managed to tow the yacht off the bank into deeper water. As the tide rose a member of the lifeboat crew managed to start the yacht's engine and steer her to Porthmadog escorted by the lifeboat

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-

Local resident donates £8,500 towards new IRB boathouse

On Thursday, 9th May, 2013 members of the lifeboat crew emptied a large lifeboat collection box in which an avid local supporter, Mr Nick Millard, had contributed £8,500 during the past two years. Mr Millard was present at the boathouse when this money was counted by the station's crew and officials. It will be used towards the cost of building a new permanent boathouse for the station's Arancia Inshore Rescue Boat. This generous contribution is much appreciated by everyone at the lifeboat station.

Replacement Tractor

The station's tractor TW58H, which had been at Criccieth since it was built in December 2003, left the station on 9th April 2003 and went into refit. It has been replaced by TW62H which was previously stationed at Rye Harbour. It had also served at Criccieth on relief for a few days when brand new in 2010.

Shannon Trials

Photo of Criccieth Atlantic 85 and Abersoch Atlantic 75 alongside Trials Shannon  (Photo by Andy Green)

On 7th April, 2013 the new Shannon class prototype lifeboat visited Pwllheli whilst on a tour of the west coast of the UK. She was visiting lifeboat stations which may be supplied with a lifeboat of this class in the future as a replacement for their Mersey class lifeboat.

Intensive Inshore Rescue Boat Training

During the weekend of 9th/10th March intensive training was provided by RNLI specialist lifeguard instructors both at Porthmadog Harbour and off Criccieth beach. The instructors brougth with them two additional boats which were used in conjunction with the stations's Arancia IRB and Atlantic 85.

Doris Joan Returns Home

Our station Atlantic 85 lifeboat "Doris Joan" returned home on Thursday, 21 February, 2013 following a major refit at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes. She has had many modifications including a new Mark 3 roll bar, a hatched deck to give easier access to the fuel and ballast tanks, strengthened hull, a new type VHF radio and a fixed webcam on the mast. She is now the same specification as a brand new Atlantic 85 being built today. The crew have been out on familiarisation trials (see photos above) are are very pleased with her performance.

Casualty Care Course

Throughout January crew members have been undertaking a casualty care course with an RNLI mobile training unit. All fifteen crew members who attended the course were successful and have been awarded certificates for their hard work.

5 stalwarts recognised in RNLI's New Year Honours List

The RNLI have awarded the following awards to personnel at the Criccieth LIfeboat Station in their 2013 Annual Awards to volunteers:

Honorary Life Governor (the highest award the RNLI can make to a voluntary worker) has been awarded to Tom Williams who has been the station's treasurer since 1972.

The RNLI's Gold Badge has been awarded to Gwen Jones-Morris and Sue Taylor who have been longstanding fundraisers in the Porthmadog and Criccieth areas.

The RNLI's Bronze Badge has been awarded to Gill Baggs and Catherine Hughes who were involved for many years in the running of the shop at the lifeboat station in addition to general fundraising in Criccieth.

Everyone at the station congratulates them on their awards with is a fitting tribute to all their efforts over so many years. 

Station lifeboat goes into refit

Photo of "DORIS JOAN" almost ready to leave workshops and have trials before returning to Criccieth

Due to technical problems in resolving the fuel tank problems the station lifeboat "DORIS JOAN" has gone into a full refit at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes. The fourteen week refit will include fitting a new roll bar and deck as well as modifying the boat's electrical system. A video camera will also be installed on the boat so that rescues can be recorded as they take place. The lifeboat is due back at Criccieth towards the end of February 2013.

Presentation of Silver Badge to Station President

The RNLI's Silver Badge was presented to the station's President Robert M Roberts on Thursday, 6th September, 2012 by Colin Williams, the RNLI's Inspector of Lifeboats for Wales and the Isle of Man. He has been the station's President since 2011 having previously served since the 1960's as a shore helper, crew member and box secretary.

Relief Lifeboat B850 Edna May is sent to station

2012 Open Day - Sunday 12th August

Lifeboat assists in marriage proposal

At the start of the routine weekly exercise on 2nd August the lifeboat assisted a young man in proposing to his girlfriend. As both of them stood at the end of the pier the lifeboat came past displaying a banner asking the girlfriend to marry him. Their families watched nearby in what was a moving ocassion.

Lifeboats assist in towing yacht off Criccieth main beach

Bronze Badge presented to Vice President

Presentation to Station Stalwart

The RNLI's Gold Badge was presented to Jim Owen by the Duke of Gloucester at the RNLI's Annual Presentation of Awards at the Barbicvan, London on Thursday 17th May, 2012. Jim recently retired at the statikon's President having previously served since 1965 as a shore helper, crew, senior helmsman and DLA.

Lifeboat Crew Receive Radar and Radio Training

Criccieth Croeso Nadolig (Welcome Christmas) Event

The Arancia, Land Rover and Stormy Stan were present on the Maes at Criccieth during this event. Santa and Stormy Stan headed the parade up the High Street on Saturday 3rd December.

Relief Lifeboat on station

The relief Atlantic 85 lifeboat "MARY LEWIS" arrived in the early hours of 19th August to replace the station Atlantic 85 which has been sent away for repairs. "DORIS JOAN" returned to the station on 20th September.

2011 Open Day

This took place on Sunday, 14th August and was a great success. There was a rescue demonstration involving both lifeboats as well as various stalls in the boathouse.  Stormy Stan was present to delight the crowd and over £800 was raised for the RNLI's funds. Thanks to everyone whjo made the day a big success.

150th Anniversary and Naming of new Inshore Rescue Boat

On Saturday 2nd July the new inshore rescue boat "Margaret and Nantw" was named and dedicated. A 150th Anniversary Vellum was also presented to the station.

Arancia Training 19/20 March 2011

A weekend of intense training including capsize drills were carried out during this weekend.

Meeting of RNLI Trustees 3rd November

At this meeting it was decided that the Arancia IRB which had been on trials at the station since July 2009 would be permanently allocated to complement the Atlantic 85 lifeboat. It was also decided to award the station a Vellum to commemorate 150 years of life saving.

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.

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.