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 20 February 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 - 1 call has 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 -

20 February 2010  0033 The Arancia IRB was launched to assist a person in difficulties in the water at Llyn Bach in Porthmadog Harbour. He was up to his neck in the water. Following negotiations with him he was rescued by the lifeboat and transferred to a waiting ambulance suffering from hypothermia.

4 December 2009

2015 - The Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched once again to the trimaran "ENIF" which had stranded earlier in the day on Porthmadog Bar. The trimaran was towed into Porthmadog Harbour by the lifeboat.

1450 - The Arancia IRB was launched to the trimaran "ENIF" after the Atlantic 85 lifeboat failed to get alongside her. The IRB took the trimaran's sole occupant on board and landed him from danger at Porthmadog Harbour.

1428 - The Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched to the trimaran "ENIF" which had suffered rudder failure and stranded on Porthmadog Bar. The lifeboat was unable to get close to the trimaran due to shallow water and stood by her until the IRB had rescued her sole occupant.

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-

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.