Penarth History

1861 The RNLI established a lifeboat station and a boathouse was built on the esplanade.

1884 A new boathouse and slipway were built on Penarth beach after an esplanade was built immediately in front of the original boathouse.

1905 The all weather lifeboat was withdrawn from service when other stations at Barry Dock and Weston-super-Mare opened; the lifeboat station closed.

1980 The station reopened as an inshore lifeboat (ILB) station on 17 June with a D class lifeboat. An old store was converted to house the ILB and it was launched over the beach.

1995 A new boathouse and slipway were built to house a B class lifeboat and launching vehicle, a workshop, souvenir sales outlet, oil and petrol stores, and improved crew facilities.

1996 An Atlantic 21 lifeboat was placed on temporary station duty on 19 January.

The Atlantic 21 lifeboat was withdrawn on 15 May and replaced by the Atlantic 75 lifeboat, B-725 Spirit of Penarth.

The D class, D-534 Severn Rescuer, was also placed on service.

2002 A Framed Letter of Thanks was presented to Helmsman Simeon Rabaiotti, for rescuing a man cut off by the tide on 25 May. The ILB veered down through rocks in rough seas and in a heavy three metre swell; the anchor warp had to be cut to leave the scene.

Station honours

At Penarth lifeboat station the following award has been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks 1