Aberdyfi Lifeboat

09/10/2026

💙 A huge thank you to Colwyn PWC Riders!

We’re delighted to have received a fantastic £3,000 donation following their charity jet ski rideout earlier this year.

The cheque was presented by former Aberdyfi lifeboatman Chris Walton, representing Colwyn PWC Riders, alongside his son Tom, a local Coastguard Rescue Officer and Assistant Harbourmaster in Aberdyfi.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who organised and took part in this fantastic event. Your support helps us continue our lifesaving work. 🌊

Read more about this fantastic donation and the event here: 👇

Aberdyfi RNLI is delighted to have received a £3,000 donation from Colwyn PWC Riders, following a charity jet ski rideout which saw more than 100 personal watercraft take to the water along the North Wales coast.

24/09/2026

We’re a few days away from the MACH RUN!! Stormy Stan will be there before they set off and our boat and crew will be at the station to cheer on the drivers as they pass. Come along and show your support for a great event raising money for us and other amazing charities 💙🛟🧡

09/09/2026

In light of recent events we’re sharing this statement from RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes.

Aberdyfi RNLI stands in solidarity with our colleagues across the RNLI and remains committed to saving lives at sea without judgement, fear or favour, as our charity has done for over 200 years.

Abuse or threats of violence aimed at any RNLI volunteer is wholly unacceptable.

The RNLI is a charity that exists to save lives at sea. But recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about our purpose and our lifesaving work in the Channel.

As a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in some cases, physical abuse. This is unacceptable.

The RNLI’s people represent the very best of society. For over two hundred years they have dedicated themselves to rescuing people they’ve never met before, without judgment, fear or favour.

We are tasked by HM Coastguard to help those in distress, and we'll do so whenever, wherever and whoever they are.

We launched 9,058 times in 2025. Only 109 of those launches were to those in distress in the Channel – 1.2% of our total rescue work. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is then taken into the care of the relevant UK authorities.

To those who stand with the RNLI, thank you. For more than two hundred years, we've saved lives at sea around the UK and Ireland, and that commitment remains unchanged.

01/09/2026

🌊 Could you help save lives before our lifeboat ever needs to launch?

We’re looking for a volunteer to join Aberdyfi Lifeboat Station and help develop and support our Water Safety Plan.

The role is all about helping people enjoy our local waters safely, identifying risks, supporting water safety initiatives and helping to prevent incidents from happening in the first place.

💙 Your contribution could make a real difference.

You’ll be helping us work towards the RNLI’s vision of saving everyone, while making our local community a safer place for everyone who enjoys the water.

📣 Looking for a new volunteering challenge?
Have the skills, enthusiasm or local knowledge to help?

👉 Find out more and apply:

https://volunteer.rnli.org/opportunities/122209-water-safety-officer-aberdyfi-lifeboat-station-2026-09-01?cookieconsent=set

Contribute to the RNLI’s vision of saving every one, by developing Water Safety Lifesaving Plans (WSLP) to reduce the number of preventable deaths and incidents that occur within local coastal and inland waterway environment.

30/08/2026

📟 Tasking - 29 August 2026 📟

At 8.06pm last night, our volunteer crew were paged to launch following reports of three people clinging to a buoy off Sandilands Road, Tywyn.

Our crew launched and were on scene within around 7–8 minutes. On arrival, the three people were found to be safe fishing in an inflatable boat with an engine, which was secured to the buoy. Tywyn Coastguard Rescue Team/ Gwylwyr y Glannau Tywyn were also in attendance.

With visibility unclear from the shore, several members of the public did the right thing and contacted HM Coastguard, who tasked our lifeboat to investigate.

The lifeboat was stood down at 8.19pm and was back available for service by 9.15pm.

From receiving the pager to launching took just six minutes, a great example of the importance of regular training, preparation and teamwork.

📞 If in doubt, call it in

Last night’s shout is also a good reminder that you don’t need to be certain that someone is in trouble before calling for help.

If you see something on or near the water that concerns you, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Your call can help the Coastguard build a picture of what is happening and decide what response is needed.

It’s always better to call with good intent and allow the emergency services to assess the situation than to assume someone else will call.

Photos of our crew in action taken by Lisa Lynch

23/08/2026

📟 Tasking - 23 August 2026 📟

At 9.31am this morning, our volunteer crew were paged to launch to a 21ft sea angling boat which had suffered engine failure while on the bar at the mouth of the Dyfi estuary.

The crew arrived alongside the casualty vessel and assessed the situation. The boat was in a hazardous position in the middle of the bar, presenting a potential hazard to fast-powered craft navigating the area.

Having assessed the risks and the available options, the crew decided that the best course of action was to tow the vessel clear of the bar and into the estuary, where it could be moored out of the way of other vessels.

Crew member Dan boarded the casualty vessel to establish the in-line tow and the boat was brought into the estuary where it was then made fast alongside for the rest of the way. With permission from the assistant Harbourmaster, the casualty vessel was secured on a mooring.

The skipper was then transferred to the lifeboat and brought ashore in Aberdyfi. At 10:45am The lifeboat was recovered, washed down and made ready for service.

🚤 Boat Crew: Wil, Dan, Gemma 4Shouts and Duncan
🛟 Shore Crew: Josh, Andy, Geoff, Alun, Rhiannon, Jo, Ian
🚜 LVD: Huw
📢 Head Launcher: Mig
✅ Launch Authority: Freddie

23/08/2026

A huge thank you to the team behind MACH RUN for choosing to support Aberdyfi Lifeboat once again.

For several years now, Mach Run has generously donated to our lifeboat, helping us continue our vital work on the coast, and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued support.

🚗 With over 200 cars on display, three amazing charities to support and a fantastic day planned, this is an event not to be missed!

📅 Sunday 27 September 2026
⏰ 9am–2pm
📍 Come along and support this brilliant local event!

Thank you, Mach Run, for keeping Aberdyfi Lifeboat in your corner. 🧡💙

22/08/2026

📟 Tasking - 20 August 2026 📟

A challenging two-day operation for Aberdyfi RNLI

What began as a mayday call to a yacht taking on water turned into a challenging two-day operation for our volunteer crew.

The 54ft twin-masted steel-hulled yacht was 16 miles off Barmouth when our crew were paged to launch. On arrival, with the light fading and waves of more than a metre, the crew went alongside the casualty vessel to assess the situation.

Water was entering through the engine house, although the source of the ingress could not be identified.

Three people and their dog were safely transferred from the yacht to Barmouth RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, where they could take shelter. The deteriorating light and rough conditions made the transfer particularly challenging.

With the distance from shore and sea conditions making a tow unsafe, the yacht was left in position and a navigation warning issued to other vessels.

But the job didn’t end there.

The following day, our crew were paged again by HM Coastguard to locate the drifting yacht and assess its condition.

The crew found the vessel and anchored it to prevent it drifting further, before using the lifeboat’s salvage pump to remove as much water as possible. A significant amount of water was pumped out, but after several hours the source of the leak could still not be identified.

The yacht’s position and condition were passed to HM Coastguard, with recovery by an all-weather lifeboat or, preferably, a professional salvage company recommended.

A huge amount of care, time and effort went into giving the vessel the best possible chance.

As crew member Oli Simmons said:

‘It was saddening to see a boat like that being left out there, but we’ve shown our colours in the care and effort we’ve put into giving it the best possible chance to sail again. I’m proud to be part of Aberdyfi Lifeboat today.’

Well done to all of our volunteers involved, and thank you to our colleagues Barmouth Lifeboat and HM Coastguard for working alongside us.

Aberdyfi RNLI volunteers were involved in a challenging two-day operation after a 54ft twin-masted steel-hulled yacht issued a mayday while taking on water and sinking 16 miles off Barmouth.

19/08/2026

Our thoughts are with our colleagues at Shoreham RNLI Lifeboat Station following yesterday’s tragic incident.

We can only imagine how difficult and distressing the call and its aftermath will have been for everyone involved.

From one lifeboat station to another, we’re thinking of the crew, their families and everyone involved in the response. ❤️

Please look after one another.

Photo - Stephen Duncombe

22/07/2026

📟 Tasking - 22 July 2026 📟

Our volunteer crew were paged at 5.20pm this evening, just before the start of a routine training exercise, following reports of an overdue swimmer attempting to swim from Ynyslas to Aberdyfi before returning by train.

Aberdyfi RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched to begin a search, together with Borth RNLI Lifeboat Station However, while the crew were responding, the swimmer made contact with HM Coastguard to confirm they had turned back after becoming tired and were safe ashore.

With the casualty accounted for, the lifeboat was stood down at 5.40pm. As the crew were already afloat, they continued directly into their planned training exercise, making the most of the opportunity to keep their lifesaving skills honed and ensure they remain ready to answer the call when needed.

If you’re planning a long-distance swim, always consider the conditions carefully, be realistic about your ability, and always let someone know your plans and expected return time. If you get into difficulty in the water, remember to Float to Live: tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and try to control your breathing, use your hands to help you stay afloat, then call for help or continue your journey when you’re able.

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers who responded this evening:

🚤 Boat crew: Ian, Jack, Duncan and James
🛟 Shore crew: Geoff, Andy, Freddie, Wil and Ian
🚜 Launch vehicle driver: Huw
📢 Head launcher: Steve
✅ Launch authority: Mig