:Aberdovey Lifeboat Station

The first Aberdyfi lifeboat was bought in 1837. The RNLI took over the station in 1853 and in 1858 built a new boathouse, for a new 30-foot 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with sails and (6) oars, and its carriage.{{cite journal |title=Additional Life-Boat Stations and New Life-Boats |journal=The Lifeboat |date=1 October 1859 |volume=IV |issue=34 |page=211 |url=https://lifeboatmagazinearchive.rnli.org/volume/04/34/additional-life-boat-stations-and-new-life-boats |access-date=26 May 2025}}

A tragedy occurred in 1862 when crew member Owen Owen, aged 33, died as a result of a capsize on exercise.

In February 1863, David Williams was awarded an RNLI Silver Medal for putting out to the stranded brig Friends and his crew were voted £8 reward by the Institution. In September the same year the RNLI voted to reward the crew of the lifeboat £4-10s-0d for rescuing six crew of the stranded barque William Bromham.{{cite book |title=The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle for 1863 |date=28 Mar 2013 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781108054546 |page=606}}

A new larger 10-oared lifeboat was supplied to the station in 1865, after it was found that the 6-oared lifeboat wasn't ideal for the locality. The lifeboat was funded by a donation of £489-16s-8d, raised in Berkshire by Charles Stevens, Banker, and Capt. A Butler, RN. After being displayed in Reading in September 1865, the boat was transported to Aberdovey free of charge by the Great Western and Cambrian railway companies, and following a procession to the river, was duly named Royal Berkshire.{{cite journal |title=Additional Stations and New Life-Boats |journal=The Lifeboat |date=1 January 1866 |volume=VI |issue=59 |page=15 |url=https://lifeboatmagazinearchive.rnli.org/volume/06/59/additional-stations-and-new-life-boats |access-date=26 May 2025}}

In 1886 a plot was bought for £150 and a new boathouse built for £320.

There was a second tragedy in 1898 when crew member John Price, aged 72, lost his life trying to save people after a boating accident. His dependents were awarded £50 compensation by the RNLI's Committee of Management.

A slipway for the lifeboat was built in 1903, at a cost of £300, to enable the lifeboat to be launched into the river. The station closed in 1931.

Aberdovey Lifeboat Station was reopened in 1963 at the Outward Bound Sea School, as an Inshore lifeboat station, supplied with a {{Lbc|D|RFD PB16}} lifeboat. In 1974, the smaller {{Lbc|D}} lifeboat was replaced by the larger twin-engined {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 21}} Inshore lifeboat.

A new boathouse was built in 1991 to house the Atlantic 21 and its launching tractor, a shop and crew facilities, and in 1995, an upper floor was built to provide a crew room, galley and store.

From 1998 to 2016, the station operated an {{Lbc|Atlantic 75}} inshore lifeboat, RNLB Sandwell Lifeline (B-758), launched by tractor, and making an average of 25 emergency launches a year. She replaced B-559, which was transferred to the British Virgin Islands as a rescue craft.

In 2016, the {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 85}} Inshore lifeboat Hugh Miles (B-896) replaced Sandwell Lifeline. The lifeboat was funded from the legacy of Joan Miles, in memory of her late son.{{cite news |title=Ceremonies to name lifeboats in Aberdovey and Barmouth |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-41401793 |access-date=26 May 2025 |publisher=BBC |date=1 October 2017}}

A number of awards have been made to recognise exemplary service.{{cite book |last1=Cox |first1=Barry |title=Lifeboat Gallantry |date=1998 |publisher=Spink & Son Ltd |isbn=0907605893}}

• RNLI Silver Medal

::For the rescue of the crew of the brig Friends of Newport on 8 February 1863

::Mr David Williams, of HM Customs, Honorary Secretary – 1863

• RNLI Bronze Medal

::For the rescue of 4 from the cabin cruiser Lady Jane on 10 August 1974

::David William Williams, crew member – 1974

• Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum

::For the rescue of 4 from the cabin cruiser Lady Jane on 10 August 1974

::Anthony Mills, Helmsman – 1974

::Andrew Coghill, crew member – 1974

• A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution

::For his valuable services as a member of the crew from 1920 to 1931

::Mr Ellis Williams, Bowman – 1972

• Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE)

::David Eilian Williams – 2014QBH{{cite web |title=Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/60895/supplement/b25 |publisher=The Gazette |access-date=9 February 2024}}

In memory of those lost whilst serving Aberdovey lifeboat.

• Lost when the lifeboat capsized on exercise, 8 December 1862

::Owen Owen, crew member (33)

• Died during a rescue after a boating accident, 1898

::John Price, crew member (72)

:Station Closed in 1931

:{{Small|Pre ON numbers are unofficial numbers used by the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society to reference early lifeboats not included on the official RNLI list.}}

{{notelist}}

• List of RNLI stations
• List of former RNLI stations
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats

{{Reflist|group=Note}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/aberdovey-lifeboat-station Aberdovey RNLI Lifeboat Station]

{{Lifeboat Stations in Wales}}

Category:Lifeboat stations in Wales

Category:Aberdyfi

Category:Transport infrastructure completed in 1853

Category:1837 establishments in Wales