An £11m lifeboat station located at Mumbles Pier in Swansea closed two years ago, leaving the community in uncertainty about its reopening. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) had raised concerns about access to the station, prompting Swansea Council to offer financial support to the pier’s owners, Amusement Equipment Co Ltd. Despite the offers of assistance, co-owner Fred Bollom stated that he was unable to accept them due to certain conditions attached. The lifeboat station, constructed a decade ago at a cost of approximately £11m, housed Mumbles’ new all-weather lifeboat and featured a visitor centre and shop.
Two years ago, RNLI removed the £2.7m lifeboat from the station following issues identified by a structural engineer with the pier’s structure. Since then, the lifeboat has been stationed a short distance from the pier, requiring crew members to access it via a boarding vessel from the shore. Despite ongoing negotiations between Mr. Bollom, RNLI, the council, and Amusement Equipment Co’s funders to address access and fire insurance matters, there has been little progress reported. Mr. Bollom expressed disappointment over the lack of proposals from RNLI and the council, highlighting the need for discussions on access and parking provisions for the lifeboat station.
RNLI acknowledged the closure of a section of the pier for safety reasons, necessitating alternative arrangements for the crew to reach the lifeboat. The Tamar class all-weather lifeboat remains operational from a swing mooring near the pier, while the inshore lifeboat continues its operations. Swansea Council echoed concerns about the delayed access to the lifeboat station, emphasizing the significant financial support offers made to the pier owners for restoration efforts. Mr. Bollom acknowledged the offers of financial support but explained the challenges in meeting the conditions imposed due to existing debts and maintenance costs.
The closure of Mumbles Pier, a historic landmark in the community for 127 years, has drawn attention from local councillor Will Thomas, who expressed concerns about the impact on response times and community well-being. RNLI assured minimal disruption to its operations despite the station’s closure, maintaining readiness for a swift return once access issues are resolved. Efforts to extend an aluminium walkway along the pier to maintain access to the station were proposed by Mr. Bollom as a potential solution to the access challenges.
As discussions continue between stakeholders, the community awaits the reopening of the lifeboat station at Mumbles Pier. With ongoing financial support offers on the table and collaborative efforts between RNLI, the council, and pier owners, there is optimism for a resolution to the access issues. While the station remains closed to the public, establishments like the Copperfish restaurant and Beach Hut Cafe continue to operate, offering a sense of normalcy amid the pier’s temporary closure.
The rich history of lifeboat presence in Mumbles and the significance of the pier as a community asset underscore the urgency for a timely resolution to restore access to the lifeboat station. With key stakeholders committed to finding a sustainable solution for the pier’s long-term future, there is hope that the iconic life-saving facility will soon reopen its doors to serve the Mumbles community once again.