The History of Borth Lifeboat Station
In June 1966 an inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established with a D class lifeboat. A timber boathouse was built at the south end of Borth beach.
The picture shows Borth's first lifeboat, with the crew. As there was no slipway the boat had to be manhandled down the shingles for launching.
In 1974 a new D class lifeboat was placed on station. This was a gift from the King George Fund for Sailors.
In 1975 another D class lifeboat, funded from proceeds from Mr RE Rushton’s sponsored entry in the Brighton veteran car run, was placed on service.
In 1978 the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Helmsman Ronald Davies for the rescue of two people who were trapped by the tide at the base of cliffs in very heavy seas. Crew Members Dilwyn Owen and Richard Jeremy each received Vellum certificates.
In 1987 a purpose-built brick boathouse was completed, providing improved facilities. A new D class, funded from a donation from the MV Millhouse Trust, was placed on station.
Also in 1987 the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was again awarded to Helmsman Ronald Davies and Framed Letters of Thanks were presented to Crew Members Louis Delahaye and Andrew Doyle for the rescue of two men clinging to a partly submerged rock in rough conditions.
On 13 June 1995 a new D class lifeboat, D-371, provided from a generous gift from Dr May Reed of Buckinghamshire, was placed on service.
In 1998 a Framed Letter of Thanks was presented to Helmsman Richard Jenkins when, together with the Aberystwyth ILB, he rescued four people cut off by the tide near Clarach in heavy surf. Crew Members Stuart Taylor and Lee Trubshaw received Letters of Appreciation.
In 2001 a Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman Amos Bewick for the rescue of the helmsman of Aberdovey’s ILB in severe weather conditions and a confused sea on 10 December 2000. Crew Members Martyn Davies and Alex Shepard received Medal service certificates and badges.
In 2004 a second D class donated by Dr May Reed, D-622 May II, was placed on station.
Also in 2001 Lifeboat Operations Manager Ronald Davies was honoured by Her Majesty The Queen and presented with the Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE).
In the 2008 New Year's Honours List Aran Morris was recognised with a Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to maritime safety. Mr Morris said memories of stranded sailors in the Arctic during World War II had inspired him to press for the lifeboat station because it used to take rescuers about 20 minutes to sail to Borth from Aberystwyth and Aberdyfi during an emergency. BBC News - MBE for lifeboat station founder. More about Aran Morris on BBC Website. Aran died, aged 90, on 13 September 2009.
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