Cardigan Lifeboat Station () is located at Poppit Sands, on the southern side of the River Teifi estuary in North Pembrokeshire, approximately north-west of the town of Cardigan, Wales.
A lifeboat was first placed at Cardigan in 1849. Management of the station was transferred to the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) in 1851, which became the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1854. The station closed in 1932 but reopened in 1971 as an Inshore lifeboat station.
The station currently operates a Inshore lifeboat, Albatross (B-871), on station since 2013, and the smaller Inshore lifeboat, John Darbyshire (D-845), on station since 2019.
The original Cardigan lifeboat station was built in 1849, on the south side of the River Teifi estuary below Penrhyn Castle, after the loss of the crew from the brig Agnes Lee. Management of the station was transferred to the RNIPLS in 1851.
On 21 January 1861, the schooner Dewi Wyn wrecked on the Cardigan Bar, whilst on passage from Bristol. The Cardigan lifeboat was launched, and saved all eight crew members.
The first RNLI lifeboat to be placed at Cardigan arrived in 1864. The new self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with sails and (10) oars, was transported to New Milford free of charge by the Great Western Railway Company. Funded by the Manchester Lifeboat Fund, through the efforts of Robert Whitworth, the boat was named John Stuart, in recognision of his donations.
In 1876 a replacement boathouse with slipway was built, the remains of which can be seen down the estuary at Black Rocks. In 1880, a small breakwater was built to protect the boathouse and launching site.
With a motor-powered lifeboat placed at to the south, and an existing lifeboat at , the Elizabeth Austin (ON 547) was withdrawn, and the station was closed in 1932.
In 1964, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI placed 25 small fast Inshore lifeboats around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies.
More stations were opened, and in 1971, the popularity of this area, with increased leisure incidents and accidents, led to the decision to construct a new station on the present site.
A new boathouse, built for the new lifeboat, was officially opened in 1987. In 1998 a new double boathouse was completed for the and lifeboats, for the Talus MB-4H launching vehicle, and it also provided improved crew facilities. Consequently, the station today houses two inshore lifeboats, which operate from the beach.
The lifeboat crew have training sessions twice a week â on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings; visitors to the station are welcomed at these times. The station also houses an RNLI shop, open throughout the year, volunteers permitting.
Associated with the lifeboat station is the H.M. Coastguard lookout post, part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Emergency Response, located on the other side of the estuary, on the cliff top at Gwbert.
In December 2011 a crew at the station â comprising Gemma Griffiths, Sarah Griffiths and Louise Francis - made history by being the first all-female volunteer lifeboat crew to respond to a callout in Wales.
Five RNLI medals, three silver and two bronze, are among the various awards presented for service at Cardigan Lifeboat Station. These include:
Note: The three 2014 awards were made for the same rescue