OVER 200 people gathered at New Quay’s Tabernacl Chapel on Saturday to urge the RNLI to reconsider their decision to replace Ceredigion’s only all-weather lifeboat and replace it with a smaller, inshore lifeboat campaigners say is unable to launch in bad weather.

The public meeting was opened by town mayor Cllr Dan Potter, and speakers included Ceredigion MP Ben Lake, AM Elin Jones and county councillor Elizabeth Evans of Aberaeron.

The audience heard from experts in the field of maritime risk assessment and video messages of support were shown from local schoolchildren, well-known faces from across the country and from people whose lives had been saved by New Quay lifeboat.

“The RNLI has failed to realise the genuine concerns in the area about the consequences of this decision,” said Mr Lake. “Every single level of political representation is united in opposition to this decision.

“Any charity depends on the goodwill and faith of the public and the way in which they have handled the whole process does not paint the RNLI in a good light. I fear it could cause lasting damage to the reputation of the RNLI in west Wales.”

Ms Jones said all-weather lifeboat provision was essential.

“The RNLI may think that campaigns such as this fizzle out and die away,” she added. “This is not going to happen in this community because the community is concerned about the future and the next generations.

“We are not going to go quietly.”

Jim Evans, chief executive officer of the Welsh Fishermen’s Association, said: “Fishermen are extremely concerned - this puts lives at risk."

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now