The Mumbles lifeboat station has been closed for two years, with no clear reopening timeline. Concerns over access persist.
Mumbles: The lifeboat station at Mumbles Pier has been closed for two years. No one knows when it will reopen. Swansea Council is aware of the situation and shares the RNLI’s concerns about access.
Fred Bollom, co-owner of the pier, appreciates the financial offers from the council. However, he can’t accept them due to certain conditions. The lifeboat station was built over a decade ago for £11 million and housed Mumbles’s all-weather lifeboat.
Two years ago, the RNLI removed the lifeboat after structural issues were found. Now, the lifeboat is moored offshore, and crew members access it by boat. Mumbles also has a smaller inshore lifeboat available.
A year ago, Bollom was in talks with the RNLI and the council to secure the pier. He hasn’t received any new proposals since then and wants to meet with the RNLI to discuss access and parking.
The RNLI is working with pier owners to find a solution for reopening. They closed part of the pier for safety reasons, leading to new plans for crew access. The lifeboat remains operational from a nearby mooring.
Bollom suggested extending an aluminum walkway to maintain access to the lifeboat station. He noted that structural issues have not changed despite previous refurbishments.
Swansea Council regularly communicates with the RNLI about the access delay. They have offered significant financial support, including a £1 million loan and a £450,000 grant. The pier owners must decide whether to accept this help.
Bollom is thankful for the offers but says they require debt-free security, which is challenging due to past expenses. Construction costs have risen, and the pier has faced fire damage in recent years.
While the pier is closed, the Copperfish restaurant and Beach Hut Cafe remain open. The lifeboat has been in Mumbles for about 190 years, and local councilor Will Thomas expresses concern over the pier’s closure affecting the community.
The RNLI states that the closure has minimal impact on operations. They hope to return the lifeboat to the station soon. The RNLI shop has moved to the inshore lifeboat station and will reopen for the school half-term in February.
