Work began last week on bringing the former Tenby Inshore Lifeboat Station back into use to house facilities for the RNLI crew.

Construction and civil engineering company Knights Brown, who are specialists in coastal protection works, have been awarded the contract by the RNLI to complete the project to regenerate and convert the Grade II listed building situated on Castle Beach, that will house a D Class inshore lifeboat and tractor unit.

The engineering team are working to complete external works and construct the ramp within the first 8 weeks of starting, with the whole project given a timetable of 12 weeks.

The existing listed building was built for the RNLI circa 1894/95 but was taken out of use in 1905. Most recently it was used to house a climbing centre.

Planning permission was granted in 2020 by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for the change of use and conversion of the existing building, to include construction of new launch ramp for use as an inshore lifeboat station and beach lifeguard unit.

The RNLI crew at Tenby currently operates out of both the Castle Hill Slipway Lifeboat Station where the state-of-the-art Tamar all weather lifeboat is housed; whilst the smaller D Class inshore lifeboat (ILB) launches from the station just off the harbour.

However, the present location for the ILB facility does not provide long term security in view of the cliff condition; and there is also a need to provide essential crew welfare, support and compliant changing facilities.

“Our work will involve renovating the building into a fit for purpose inshore lifeboat station,” said RNLI Project Supervisor Rhodri Jenkins.

“Works will include a full refit of the existing building and the installation of a new launch ramp.

“All work will be undertaken following an extensive environmental management plan to ensure the protection of the coastal environment and ecology,” he added.