Tenby Lifeboat Station

Lifeboat station in Pembrokeshire, Wales

Tenby Lifeboat Station

Tenby's 2005 Lifeboat Station

Tenby, Pembrokeshire

General information
Type| RNLI Lifeboat Station
Address| Castle Square
Town or city| Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 7BS
Country| Wales
Coordinates| 51°40′23″N 4°41′38″W﻿ / ﻿51.67306°N 4.69389°W﻿ / 51.67306; -4.69389
Opened| 1854
Owner|  Royal National Lifeboat Institution
On land leased from the Crown Estate
Website
Tenby RNLI Lifeboat Station

Tenby Lifeboat Station is a lifeboat station in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales that has been situated to the east of the town since 1852, three generations having been built; the original and updates in 1905 and 2005. The station currently houses two lifeboats.[1]

The Tamar-class lifeboat is 16-02 Haydn Miller (ON 1282), named after the farmer who left £3M to the RNLI in his will. The D-class (IB1) inshore lifeboat is called Kathleen Ann (D-858).

## History

[edit]

The rebuilt 1894 Victorian lifeboat station in Tenby harbour The old 1905 lifeboat station in 2010 after being converted to a residential dwelling  Tenby harbour in November 2004 at low-tide with the 1905 lifeboat station and the 2005 lifeboat station still under construction

The station was established in 1852, by The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society. The Society still exists, but its Tenby lifeboat activity was taken over in 1854 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the first RNLI boathouse was built on the town's castle beach in 1862. Six RNLI silver medals were awarded for coastal rescues from the station in the 19th century.[2]

A difficulty with launching from the harbour site was the shallow angle of the underlying geological strata. The sand beaches at Tenby were a hazard due to the speed of the tide, and an obstacle to overcome while dragging a 2-ton lifeboat from the harbour. When in 1905 the boat was replaced with a larger and heavier one, a new boathouse and roller slipway were built on the north side of Castle Hill. It was constructed using the new screw-piles that had been created for the foundations in deep sand of Victorian era pleasure piers. The lifeboat was then usable in all weathers and states of tide. It later became a public access way, with the ferry boat to Caldey Island using the slipway as a disembarkation point for tourists. Due to the legal status of foreshore in the UK, the ground on which these lifeboat stations are built has been leased from the Crown Estate.[3]

In 1923, the first motor-powered lifeboat came on station. The lifeboat operated throughout World War II, in part due to the three squadrons of Royal Air Force Short Sunderland flying boats operating from Milford Haven. In 1952 the station was awarded an RNLI Vellum for 100 years of service.

### 1972-onwards: dual-boat station

[edit]

From 1972, the station became a dual-boat station with an inshore D-class (EA16) lifeboat stationed within Tenby Harbour. In 1976, a new ILB boathouse was built on the north side of the harbour to house the boat and a tractor. On 6 September 1986, the Tyne-class lifeboat RFA Sir Galahad came on station. Named after the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Round Table-class landing ship logistics which was sunk subsequent to being damaged during the Falklands War, it became the last boat to use the original boathouse. By the time the station was awarded its 150 years Vellum by the RNLI in 2002, another new lifeboat house was planned.

Having obtained an extended lease from the Crown Estate, the RNLI obtained planning permission from the council to build a new lifeboat station on the site of the demolished Victorian era pleasure pier.[4] Due to access restrictions via the North Castle cliff, the £5.5million lifeboat station was built from the sea.[4] Only a supply of concrete was approved to be transported by road through the town.[4] Construction, commissioning works and acceptance were completed in March 2005.[5]

Tenby received the first of the new Tamar-class lifeboats, the Haydn Miller, which came on station for training in March 2006.[6] While the crew were still under training, the boat had a successful callout in April 2006. .[7]

After being refused planning permission to demolish the old Grade II listed lifeboat station,[3] which had been extended twice to accommodate larger lifeboats,[5] the RNLI eventually sold it into private hands. The new owner agreed the purchase of the freehold from the Crown Estate, and converted it into a four bedroom property.[3][8] Development of the property was covered by Channel 4 for an episode of Grand Designs, and finished in 2011.[9][10]

In early 2022, the RNLI received planning permission for the 1905 Grade II Listed former RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat House on Castle Beach, to be converted into a new home for the Tenby Inshore Lifeboat, with crew facilities.[11]

The Tamar-class lifeboat is 16-02 Haydn Miller (ON 1282), named after the farmer who left £3M to the RNLI in his will. The D-class (IB1) inshore lifeboat is called Kathleen Ann (D-858).

The building was reopened on the 8 October 2022, at the same time as the naming ceremony of the new D-class (IB1) Inshore Lifeboat Kathleen Ann (D-858)[12]

## Visitor access

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This station is classed as an "Explore" lifeboat station by the RNLI, aiming to offer their best visitor experience. When the boats are not on call, the station offers free access in the summer months, and pre-booked tours in the winter. Visitors can go inside and look around, see the lifeboat and visit the RNLI gift shop.

## Awards

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The following are awards made at Tenby.[1][13]

* RNIPLS Silver Medal

John Ray, Boatman – 14 January 1835

* RNLI Silver Medal

Lt. Richard Jesse, RN, H.M. Coastguard, Tenby – 2 January 1856

Robert Parrott, Chief Boatman, H.M. Coastguard, Tenby – 6 March 1856

The Hon Lt. Robert Francis Boyle, RN, H.M. Coastguard, Tenby – 1 December 1859
Robert Parrott, Chief Boatman, H.M. Coastguard, Tenby, Coxswain – 1 December 1859 (Second-Service clasp)

Thomas Monger, H.M. Coastguard, Tenby, Coxswain – 4 November 1875

John Rees, Second Coxswain – 10 February 1938

Thomas Benjamin Richards, Coxswain – 12 November 1953

Michael Ormond Wilson, Second Officer, crew member – 10 November 1966

William Alan Thomas, Coxswain – 16 January 1990

* RNLI Bronze Medal

Alfred Cottam, Motor Mechanic – 10 February 1938

William Raymond Thomas, Bowman – 12 November 1953
William Henry George Rogers, Motor Mechanic – 12 November 1953

Joshua William Richards, Bowman – 10 November 1966

Joshua William Richards, Coxswain – 24 March 1982 (Second-Service clasp)

* The Maud Smith Award 1989
(for the bravest act of lifesaving during the year by a member of a lifeboat crew)

Michael Ormond Wilson, crew member – 1966

William Alan Thomas, Coxswain – 1990

* The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum

John John, crew member – 1982
Michael Wilson, crew member – 1982

William Alan Thomas, Coxswainr – 1983
Charles Hugh Crockford, crew member – 1983

Nicholas Tebbutt, crew member – 1984
Nicholas Crockford, crew member – 1984

Dennis Young, Helm – 1986
John John, crew member – 1986
William James, crew member – 1986
Roy Young, crew member – 1986

* A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution

Coxswain and crew – 1963

Ivor Crockford, Acting Coxswain – 1968

Coxswain and crew – 1969
(with special reference to Second Coxswain Joshua Richards and crew members John John and Michael Crockford).

* Letter of Thanks signed by the Secretary of the Institution

R. Thomas, Assistant Mechanic – 1968

* Framed Certificate of Merit, awarded by the RSPCA

Coxswain and crew – 1959

* Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Charles Hugh Crockford – 2002NYH[14][15]
William Alan Thomas – 2004NYH[16][17]
Doreen Lilian Mortimer, Volunteer Shop Manager – 2024NYH[18]

## Roll of Honour

[edit]

In memory of those lost whilst serving Tenby lifeboat.[1]

* Collapsed while pulling up the Radar mast, during the launch of the lifeboat on 17 July 1988, and died the following day.

John John, Second Coxswain

## Tenby lifeboats

[edit]

### All-Weather lifeboats

[edit]

ON[a] | Op. No.[b] | Name  | Built  | On Station[19] | Class  | Comments

|
|
|
|
|
|

57  | –  | Anne Collin | 1885  | 1885–1902  | 34-foot 2in Self-Righting (P&S)  | [Note 1][20]
497  | –  | William and Mary Devey | 1902  | 1902–1923  | 38-foot Watson (P&S) | [Note 2][21]
684  | –  | John R Webb | 1923  | 1923–1930  | 45-foot Watson | [22]
729  | –  | John R Webb | 1930  | 1930–1955  | 45-foot 6in Watson |
925  | –  | Henry Comber Brown | 1955  | 1955–1986  | 46-foot 9in Watson |
1112  | 47-010 | RFA Sir Galahad | 1986  | 1986–2006  | Tyne |
1281  | 16-02  | Haydn Miller | 2005  | 2006–  | Tamar |

### Inshore lifeboats

[edit]

Op. No.[b] | Name  | On Station[23] | Class  | Comments

|
|
|
|

D-204  | Unnamed | 1972–1986  | D-class (RFD PB16) |
D-315  | Charlie B | 1986–1993  | D-class (EA16) |
D-438  | The Stanley Taylor | 1993–2001  | D-class (EA16) | [24]
D-562 | Georgina Stanley Taylor | 2001–2009  | D-class (EA16) |
D-727  | Georgina Taylor | 2009–2022  | D-class (IB1) | (the 3rd ILB donated by the legacy).[25]
D-858  | Kathleen Ann | 2022–  | D-class (IB1) |

1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
2. ^ a b Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

## See also

[edit]

* List of RNLI stations
* List of former RNLI stations
* Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ 34-foot x 8-foot (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat.
2. ^ 38-foot x 9-foot 4in (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Tenby's Station history". RNLI. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
2. ^ "History". Tenby RNLI. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
3. ^ a b c "Boat station demolition refused". BBC Wales. 6 February 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
4. ^ a b c "Lifeboat station will be replaced". BBC Wales. 1 June 2003. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
5. ^ a b "New £5.5m home for Tenby lifeboat". BBC Wales. 1 March 2005. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
6. ^ "Lifeboat first for Tenby station". BBC Wales. 2 March 2006. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
7. ^ "Lifeboat completes first rescue". BBC Wales. 18 April 2006. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
8. ^ "Tenby lifeboat station redevelopment plans approved". Western Telegraph. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
9. ^ Rachael Misstear (6 August 2011). "Grand Designs for Tenby's old lifeboat house damages historic Castle Hill wall". Wales Online. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
10. ^ "Couple's grand designs rescues Tenby's historic lifeboat station". Wales Online. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
11. ^ "Historic lifeboat station to be revamped into new home for Tenby's inshore RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
12. ^ "New Tenby RNLI inshore craft named and lifeboat station opened". Western Telegraph. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
13. ^ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0907605893.
14. ^ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". London Gazette. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
15. ^ "Honours for Wales". BBC. 31 December 2001. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
16. ^ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". London Gazette. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
17. ^ "Tenby lifeboat coxswain retires after 44 years". Western Telegraph. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
18. ^ "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
19. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 20–70.
20. ^ "Annual Report. 1886". The Lifeboat. XIII (140): 38. 1 May 1886. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
21. ^ "Annual Report. 1904". The Lifeboat. XIX (212): 46. 2 May 1904. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
22. ^ "Bon voyage for old Tenby lifeboat". BBC Wales. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
23. ^ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 89–100.
24. ^ "The Stanley Taylor" (PDF). The Lifeboat. 53 (526): 125. Winter 1993. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
25. ^ "Tenby lifeboat named after donor". BBC Wales. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

## Further reading

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* Avis Nixon. A Tenby Lifeboat Family. Tenby Publishers. ISBN 095335122X.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tenby Lifeboat Station.

* Tenby RNLI Lifeboat Station

* v
* t
* e

RNLI lifeboat stations in Wales

* Penarth
* Barry Dock
* Porthcawl
* Port Talbot
* The Mumbles
* Horton and Port Eynon
* Burry Port
* Tenby
* Angle
* Little and Broad Haven
* St Davids
* Fishguard
* Cardigan (Poppit Sands)
* New Quay
* Aberystwyth
* Borth
* Aberdovey
* Barmouth
* Criccieth
* Pwllheli
* Abersoch
* Porthdinllaen
* Trearddur Bay
* Holyhead
* Moelfre
* Beaumaris
* Conwy
* Llandudno
* Rhyl
* Flint

(Stations are ordered in clockwise order around the coast)
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