CONSTRUCTION of a new boathouse is well under way at Criccieth’s RNLI Lifeboat Station.

The boathouse, which is being built near the main boathouse, will house the station’s Arancia Class inshore rescue boat and associated all-road vehicle.

Last year the inshore rescue boat was involved in saving the lives of 18 people in the Tremadog Bay area.

In total, the station saved the lives of 19 people during 2016 - the joint 2nd highest total throughout the UK & Ireland.

The new boathouse will provide a tailor-made home for the lifeboat which will be stowed on its trailer and attached to a 4x4; this enables crew members to tow the lifeboat to a range of launch and recovery sites around the bay.

The cost of the boathouse has been met by a local will and donations.

A new 4x4 vehicle will also be provided and the cost of this has also been met from a local donation.

Criccieth was the first station in the UK to be allocated an Arancia Class lifeboat, which are normally used for surf rescue, for effecting rescues in tidal areas around the Dwyryd and Glaslyn Estuaries in the main.

The station’s lifeboat operations manager Peter L Williams, said: “The new boathouse will provide a fitting home to a lifesaving piece of equipment."

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