Aberdyfi Lifeboat

12/04/2026

Great training session out on the water today alongside Coastguard 336 🚁

After 24 hours of strong winds, our crew were met with plenty of swell and short, steep waves with conditions beyond the bar making for a lively exercise. Perfect for putting both crews through their paces.

They began by forming up with the helicopter at sea, before heading into the estuary to practise an underway transfer. This involved the winch person being lowered into the bow, the lifeboat manoeuvring away, and then a smooth recovery back to the aircraft, all while on the move.

They then moved on to a static transfer, holding the lifeboat head to sea on the sea anchor while the helicopter maintained position overhead.

To round things off, the winch person carried out several wet drops, recovering our volunteer crew members from the water. Great, hands on training for everyone involved.

Valuable training for both crews, and a great example of how we work together to keep people safe at sea.

Video credit Andy O’Regan

RNLI

06/04/2026

🐣🚨 Training Exercise Alert – Easter Special! 🚨🐣

This morning’s exercise at Aberdyfi Lifeboat Station will have a slightly different (and very fluffy!) twist… 👀

We’ve received reports that the Easter Bunny has got into a bit of trouble in the estuary close to the station – and our crew will be launching to carry out a full rescue exercise! 🐰🌊🚤

This is a planned training exercise, giving our volunteers a chance to sharpen their lifesaving skills… with a seasonal guest onboard!

If you’re nearby, keep an eye on the estuary and enjoy the action!

As always, thank you for your continued support 💙

05/04/2026

What an amazing day at Dafad Goch Soap Box Racing Aberdyfi! 🐏🏁

Our boat rose to the occasion and successfully completed two runs with no damage thanks to Ollie’s masterful driving 👌

Shout out to our team for putting in the hours to build our magnificent cart. Thank you to the amazing crowd for cheering us on the whole way and thank you to the organisers for putting on such an awesome inaugural event for the whole community. We can’t wait for the next one! 🧡 (cart photo credit - Craig Swanson)

04/04/2026

🚤✨ Not your usual launch…

We’re thrilled to announce that the Aberdyfi Lifeboat Station crew will be taking part in the very first Dafad Goch Soap Box Racing Aberdyfi!🐑🏁

We’ve been working away behind the scenes at a secret HQ to build our cart entry. What could we have possibly taken inspiration from… 👀🤔

To see the full reveal, you’ll have to join us on race day and cheer on the crew. It’s going to be a fantastic event for the whole community. 🧡

📍Aberdyfi
🗓️ Sunday 5th April 2026

01/04/2026

🚨🛟 ABERDYFI RNLI SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT🛟🚨

After careful consideration (and one very windy training exercise), we’re excited to introduce:

🌬️ The RNLI “Jetpack Lifeboat Crew” Initiative™ 🌬️

Why wait for the boat when you can simply fly to the rescue?

Our crew have been trialling state-of-the-art sea jetpacks, allowing them to:
🚀 Reach casualties in record time
🌊 Hover dramatically above the waves
🦸 Look extremely heroic doing it

Trial feedback so far:
✔️ “Very fast!”
❌ “Very wet.”
❌ “Hard to land when there’s a seagull involved.”
❌ “Tea spillage risk: unacceptable.”

We’re still working on a few minor details… like steering, landing, and not overshooting into the next county 😅

Until then, we’ll stick with our trusty lifeboat — launched by our amazing volunteer crew, ready to respond whatever the weather 💛

Stay safe, and if you see someone flying over Cardigan Bay… it’s probably not us (yet).

11/03/2026

This evening we’re welcoming Callum Andrews on board our Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat for his first exercise as he begins his training towards becoming a volunteer crew member.

During the exercise, Callum will be getting familiar with the lifeboat and our local waters. The session includes learning the boat layout, building local knowledge, and identifying key way markers used during lifeboat operations.

Callum is a local lad who brings valuable maritime experience with him. He previously served in the Royal Navy as an engineer, first stationed on HMS Prince of Wales, before later joining the frigate boarding team on HMS Iron Duke.

We wish Callum every success as he progresses through his RNLI training, and we look forward to seeing him continue his journey with the crew.

If you’re interested in volunteering and helping to save lives at sea, we’d love to hear from you! 🔵🛟🟠

07/03/2026

We're super proud of our very own crew member Gemma Chance who attended the Women in Search and Rescue Training Week this year, held at the RNLI College in Poole.

Ahead of International Women's Day 2026, women from across the RNLI came together for an action-packed training week, including our Crew Emergency Procedures training, afloat training on both inshore and all-weather lifeboats, shore-based training and various workshops.

You can see more of what she got up to by clicking the link ⬇️

Congratulations Gemma on passing the course! 💪🎉🍾

Ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March), around 80 women from across the RNLI, each fulfilling a variety of frontline lifeboat station roles, came together for the RNLI’s Women in Search and Rescue Training Week at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset.

24/02/2026

After 19 years with the spanners in hand, our lifeboat mechanic Wil Stockford is handing over the toolbox 🔧

Wil has kept our inshore lifeboat rescue-ready since 2007, supporting countless launches. He’s now passing the role to Dan Stevens — but don’t worry, Wil isn’t going far. He’ll still be on the water as one of our inshore helms.

Thank you, Wil, for nearly two decades of dedication, skill and good humour — and good luck, Dan, we know you’ll do a cracking job.

Read more below 👇

After 19 years as Lifeboat Mechanic, Wil Stockford is stepping down from the role at Aberdovey RNLI. Wil hands over the spanners to fellow Helm Dan Stevens, while continuing to serve the station as a volunteer inshore lifeboat helm.

22/02/2026

Today the crew launched on exercise to refresh and expand our local knowledge to the north of Aberdyfi before continuing to Barmouth.

The exercise focused on operating procedures, identifying key features, and familiarising ourselves with the approaches to Barmouth Harbour to ensure we can respond safely and effectively in all conditions. Maintaining up-to-date local knowledge is a vital part of keeping both our crew and those we may be called to assist safe.

While alongside in Barmouth, the crew also took the opportunity to visit the historic RNLI Chieftain boathouse, uniquely built into Barmouth Bridge. It was a great moment to reflect on the rich RNLI heritage of the area. The Chieftain herself continues to serve afloat as a trip boat in Whitstable — please take a look at her page and support the ongoing story of this remarkable vessel by visiting Whitstable Vintage Lifeboat Trips

We were also pleased to meet with the local Coxswain to exchange valuable knowledge and insight about the area — strengthening the teamwork and cooperation that are so important when operating along this stretch of coast.

Local photographer Dominic Vacher was out and about and captured the exercise in full swing — you can see his brilliant photos below

Training like this ensures we are always ready to launch when needed.

07/01/2026

Some lifesaving advice from the RNLI, and also a familiar looking boat in picture 2 😃

04/01/2026

Cold conditions ❄️ Warm commitment 💪
RNLI Aberdyfi lifeboat crew on their first training exercise of the year in the snow ⛄️ 🛟 (photos taken by Jo Hickson)

RNLI