NEW Quay lifesavers have expressed dismay at the RNLI’s decision to replace Ceredigion’s only all-weather lifeboat with a rubber rib.

The charity has announced that New Quay’s Mersey-class lifeboat will be replaced by a £214,000 Atlantic 85 lifeboat, a smaller and faster lifeboat which cannot be launched in conditions exceeding force seven ‘near-gale’ winds.

And Roger Crouch, director of operations at New Quay lifeboat station, confirmed this week that his crew had strong misgivings.

“My senior crew is comprised of highly-experienced lifeboatmen and professional mariners,” he told the Cambrian News. “They are dismayed at this decision.

“There is concern that there will be an enormous gap in terms of coverage from Barmouth to Fishguard – and that same concern is also being expressed among coastal communities. The RNLI says this decision was made following extensive research. The New Quay crew is now asking to see the data that underpinned this decision.

“The Atlantic 85 is a rubber rib which is limited as to what conditions it can be launched in – and how far offshore it can operate.

“As far as the New Quay lifeboat station is concerned it remains business as usual. We will continue to operate our assets as professionally and as efficiently as possible and safety will not be compromised in any way. Our crew remains 100 per cent committed to their invaluable role within the coastal community.”

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