If you have recently been to Tenby Harbour, you will have noticed some of the heavy machines working in the sea off Castle Rocks. The jack-up barge is not drilling for oil, but is installing the foundations for the new lifeboat station which should be complete by the end of 2004.
Most of the materials used for the construction work will be delivered by sea either from Pembroke Dock or from Penally, minimising the impact of construction on the town.
There will be a need in the New Year to pump concrete from the Castle Square area and to lay new services (electrical cables etc) to the new station. This will require temporary closure of part of the path around Castle Rocks.
The contractors are currently erecting a temporary platform and tower crane which will be used to help build the boathouse.
The new building, designed by Royal Haskoning, will be large enough to house the new class 'Tamar' lifeboat and will have facilities including training room.
The 'RFA Sir Galahad', the current Tyne class lifeboat at Tenby, will be replaced by the hi-tech 30-tonne 'Tamar' class lifeboat currently being trialled.
"The production model is planned to be ready in late 2004 and will be undertaking its slipway trials in Tenby, as soon as the new station is complete," explained project manager, Ceirion Herbert.
"The 'Tamar' will be the most technically advanced lifeboat in the RNLI fleet and it will be fitted with a SIMS (systems information management system)," he explained.
"This is basically a number of computers joined together enabling the crew to operate most of the equipment on the lifeboat without having to leave their seats, cutting down on possible injury in bad weather conditions."
The lifeboat will be powered by two 1000 hp diesel engines, giving it a top speed of 25knts and with these new improvements the boat will be able to reach its destination to provide assistance much quicker, increasing the chance to save lives.
A large number of visitors are expected to the new station, as it will be the first to house the 'Tamar'.
Access for visitors has been greatly improved with a purpose-built viewing gallery, souvenir shop, complete with access for the disabled. Admission will be free, as always, with plenty of sea and beach safety material available, also free for the visiting public.