Freefoam supports crucial lifeboat build

Freefoam Building Products has helped complete the build of a new garage for a crucial lifeboat service in Carmarthen, Wales. Freefoam donated 28 lengths of its Fortex® Double Shiplap Cladding in Storm Grey, with matching trims and fascia, via stockist LBS Builders Merchants.

The Ferryside Lifeboat station is one of around 80 independent lifeboats operating in the UK with HM Coastguard to save lives at sea, including the life of a young father earlier this year. Set up in 1835, it covers the Towy/Three Rivers Estuary in Wales, and its service – manned entirely by volunteers and available 24/7 – has evolved from ‘oar-power’ to a state-of-the-art RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat).

The newly built garage houses a second ‘Surf Boat’, used when the tide is out, or launched with the larger boat is on a big ‘shout’ (a response to a distress call). The Surf Boat was previously housed in a shed/building on the other side of a railway crossing. “If a train was in the station it would delay the response by up to 20 minutes!” explains Ned Stephens, one of Ferryside Lifeboat’s Trainee Crew, who fitted Freefoam’s cladding to complete the build. “The new garage’s location makes it much easier to get to the estuary and improves response times.

“It costs around £25,000 a year to service and maintain the boats and equipment,” adds Ned, “and this has been increasingly hard to raise over the last few years. We’d managed to build a garage for the boat, put a roof on and order a garage door – but the project stalled due to lack of funds. We approached Freefoam because the main Lifeboat station was fitted with Fortex® cladding several years ago, and it’s still going strong.

“We were delighted with Freefoam’s response – the garage is 100% better to use and will make it easier to save lives.”

Steve Shaw, Freefoam Area Sales Manager – South Wales & South West, comments: “We have customers throughout the UK but we like to get involved with our local suppliers to support causes that are important to them. We’re really happy to support this important projecte.”

Donate to Ferryside Lifeboat’s running costs at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ferryside-lifeboat.