On 17^th June 1980 the RNLI opened a ‘new’ lifeboat station at Penarth, some 75 years after the original lifeboat station was closed –  which operated from 1861 – 1905, during which time a total of 94 lives saved by the volunteer crews.

Following a highly successful community led project and appeal the RNLI agreed to a new Penarth lifeboat station which  was initially based in a local private garage, relocating to premises which eventually became the fig tree restaurant and latterly Coffi and Co.   Finally in 1995 the station relocated to a purpose built station, which has become a much loved landmark on Penarth’s Esplanade. 

Jason Dunlop, the lifeboat operations manager for Penarth station said, “Having a lifeboat based in Penarth for the last 40 years has been a huge success, and we will take time to mark this important occasion when the time is right.  We are very much a community station, and we are grateful to everyone that supports the work we do.  More formal events will be held, hopefully later in the year, to mark this historic event, but under the present lockdown our plans have been temporarily ‘scuppered’!  Even though our commemorative events have been affected our lifeboats, and the volunteer crew members remain ready to go to sea at a moments notice to save lives at sea”.

Too many people are still drowning. More than ever we need the RNLI’s help. As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe. RNLI lifesavers are our lifeline. They’re the lifeboat crews who provide 24-hour search and rescue right around the UK and Ireland. The lifeguards keeping watch on 240 of the busiest beaches in the UK and Channel Islands. And the RNLI safety teams and educators working tirelessly to stop people getting into trouble in the first place.Thank you.