New £11m RNLI lifeboat station under construction at St Davids
The construction of a new lifeboat station is underway at St Davids.
The £11m new structure is part of the RNLI's modernisation programme which has seen 13 slipway lifeboat houses rebuilt over 15 years to accommodate the Tamar class lifeboats.
The new boathouse is being built just metres away from the original boathouse and the new location will aim to give improved operational conditions for St Davids RNLI.
The original boathouse is steeped in history with the RNLI involvement at St Davids beginning in 1867.
The lifeboat station was established in 1869 and was a home to pulling and sailing lifeboats.
In 1912 the existing all-weather lifeboat station was opened to house the first motor lifeboat at St Davids, the “General Farrell”.
Over 100 years of exposure to the rigors of the sea and a new 25 knot Tamar, the boathouse and slipway needed to be completely rebuilt.
Construction started in July 2014 with completion planned for early 2016.
The boathouse will include modern accommodation for the crew with a changing and drying room, workshop, crew room and communications and administration facilities.