Cardigan Lifeboat Station

The original Cardigan lifeboat station was built in 1849, on the south side of the River Teifi estuary below Penrhyn Castle, after the loss of the crew from the brig Agnes Lee. Management of the station was transferred to the RNIPLS in 1851. On 21 January 1861, the schooner Dewi Wyn wrecked on the Cardigan Bar, whilst on passage from Bristol. The Cardigan lifeboat was launched, and saved all eight crew members. The first RNLI lifeboat to be placed at Cardigan arrived in 1864. The new self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with sails and (10) oars, was transported to New Milford free of charge by the Great Western Railway Company. Funded by the Manchester Lifeboat Fund, through the efforts of Robert Whitworth, the boat was named John Stuart, in recognision of his donations. In 1876 a replacement boathouse with slipway was built, the remains of which can be seen down the estuary at Black Rocks. In 1880, a small breakwater was built to protect the boathouse and launching site. With a motor-powered lifeboat placed at to the south, and an existing lifeboat at , the Elizabeth Austin (ON 547) was withdrawn, and the station was closed in 1932. ==Inshore Lifeboat Station==

In 1964, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI placed 25 small fast Inshore lifeboats around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies. More stations were opened, and in 1971, the popularity of this area, with increased leisure incidents and accidents, led to the decision to construct a new station on the present site. A new boathouse, built for the new lifeboat, was officially opened in 1987. In 1998 a new double boathouse was completed for the and lifeboats, for the Talus MB-4H launching vehicle, and it also provided improved crew facilities. Consequently, the station today houses two inshore lifeboats, which operate from the beach. In December 2011 a crew at the station – comprising Gemma Griffiths, Sarah Griffiths and Louise Francis - made history by being the first all-female volunteer lifeboat crew to respond to a callout in Wales. ==Awards==

Five RNLI medals, three silver and two bronze, are among the various awards presented for service at Cardigan Lifeboat Station. These include: • In 1873 Coastguard Richard Jinks received a Silver Medal for saving two crew members from the Ocean, a boat which had run aground on Cardigan Bar. • In 1888 Coxswain William Niles received a long service Silver Medal. • In 1972 V Evans and R Evans received Letters of Thanks following the rescue of four people after their boat capsized on Cardigan Bar. • In 2013 the St David Bravery Award was given to Derek Pusey, Leonard Walters and Clive Williams for the night rescue of walkers cut off by the tide. • In 2014 The Lady Swaythling Trophy was awarded to Helmsman Derek Pusey from the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society. • In 2014 Crewman Clive Williams received a Commendation for bravery from the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society. • In 2014 Helmsman Leonard Walters received a Framed letter of thanks of the Institution. Note: The three 2014 awards were made for the same rescue ==Cardigan lifeboats==

Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboats :Station Closed in 1932 : Inshore lifeboats C-class & D-class B-class Launch and recovery tractors ==Gallery==

File:Tractor at Poppit Sands RNLI station.jpg|The Talus MB-4H amphibious tractor used to launch the Atlantic 85 lifeboat File:Landrover at Cardigan RNLI station.jpg|Land Rover used to transport the lifeboat ==See also==