Barry Dock RNLI launches £10,000 fundraising appeal (From Barry And District News)
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Barry Dock RNLI launches £10,000 fundraising appeal
8:50am Friday 5th October 2012 in News
SAFETY FIRST: A new boarding pontoon will help save lives off Barry's coastline.
BARRY’S lifeboat crew and supporters have launched a £10,000 appeal to help fund a boarding pontoon at the harbour - which will improve their ability to save lives at sea.
The RNLI’s Barry Dock volunteer crew and management committee are appealing to people and businesses to support them, as they aim to raise their portion of the £100,000 invested by the charity in the new facility.
Barry Dock’s Trent class lifeboat has previously been moored in the outer harbour, meaning a loss of valuable time as the crew travelled by boarding boat to the lifeboat before being able to launch.
The RNLI has now invested more than £100,000 to provide a boarding pontoon at the harbour, and volunteers hope local people will support them in raising £10,000 towards the cost.
Chairman of the Barry Dock Lifeboat management group, Stuart Macmillan said: “The new pontoon has cost the RNLI over £100,000, and we as a station have pledged to raise £10,000 towards it.
“It has improved the safety services at Barry Dock, and by raising £10,000 this will help the charity to continue its lifesaving service across our coastal waters, and save more lives at sea."
Barry Dock RNLI coxswain Hugh ‘Spud’ Davies added: "The provision of a new boarding pontoon will make it much safer for the crew to board the lifeboat, and provide power to keep the lifeboat engines warm, thus preventing costly maintenance.
"Most of all the pontoon will dramatically improve the launching and operating times during a critical lifesaving shout."
The lifeboat station was established at Barry Dock in 1901 and crews have responded to more than 800 call-outs during its history. It covers a large area from the Nash Point over to Foreland Point in Devon and just beyond the Severn Bridges.
The crews and support groups are all volunteers.
To support the Barry Dock lifeboat Boarding Pontoon Appeal, call Stuart Macmillan on 029 2070 5234.
