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An Independent Lifeboat covering the Towy Estuary, Wales

Ferryside Lifeboat is one of more than fifty lifeboats stationed around the British Isles that operate independently of the RNLI.

They provide the same role as the RNLI and are “declared facilities” within HM Coastguard’s search and rescue organisation. As a declared facility Ferryside Lifeboat is launched by HM Coastguard in response to ‘999’ calls and distress calls on VHF CH16.

At Ferryside, like most lifeboats operating in the Bristol Channel, we have to cope with a large tidal range, the second largest tidal rise and fall in the world makes our waters some of the most hostile in the world.

Ferryside lifeboat is available 24 hours a day throughout the year and is staffed entirely by local volunteers. A smaller second lifeboat is also available at any state of the tide for mud and sandbank rescues.

14 _{Shouts a year}

8 _{Minutes Average Time to Launch}

£23K _{operating cost each year}