Little and Broad Haven's RNLI lifeboat station reopened

Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station welcomed the crew, shop, and fundraising RNLI volunteers on September 7 for a celebration to mark the station's reopening.

The station underwent a significant refurbishment over the winter months to make it better equipped for the 21st century.

Andy Grey, lifeboat operations manager, spoke at the event (Image: RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones)

The reopening ceremony saw the ribbon being cut by children of the operational crew members and supporters.

The ceremony also included presentations to those who supported the station during its redevelopment, allowing the RNLI's 24/7 life-saving service to continue from a temporary location.

Lifeboat operations manager Andy Grey said: "The station opening was extremely successful.

"Not only did the weather hold out, but personnel from the station, including officers and crew, branch members, and shop volunteers, were in attendance, along with guests from our neighbouring RNLI stations.

"The occasion truly represented the ‘One Crew’ philosophy.

"To make it even more special, the children of the crew were invited to formally open the new refurbishment of the station.

"A lovely gesture, but also a great memory."

Area operations manager Roger Bryan Smith DL said: "I am absolutely delighted that Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station has been refurbished to such a high standard.

"The crew devote an immense amount of their spare time to training to save lives at sea, and it’s marvellous that they now have such great facilities.

"The lifeboat shop has been modernised as well, giving our volunteers a much better working environment."

The ceremony was attended by Gemma Gill, coxswain of Fishguard Lifeboat, and Will Chant, coxswain of St Davids station, who made the presentations and showed their support for the new station.

The event was described as having a 'strong sense of community' and as a way of 'handing over the baton to the next generation of lifeboat crew, who will be using these new facilities in the future to carry out the lifesaving work of the RNLI.'

The RNLI is a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea.

Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on various beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

The RNLI is independent of the Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 142,700 lives.

For more information about the RNLI, visit the RNLI website.