Erect new RNLI lifeboat station

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has applied to the Comhairle for the go-ahead to build a new lifeboat station on Main Street, Castlebay.

The existing station was established in 1931 because of the number of casualties in the area except in severe southwesterly weather when it is difficult to get aboard the lifeboat.

In a submission to the Comhairle, the RNLI stated: “It is considered that the existing station building at Castlebay, Barra, is too remote from the water’s edge and cannot be appropriately extended or re-configured to provide the existing crew with all the necessary modern facilities required for their important life-saving duties. It is therefore proposed to demolish the existing building and construct a new lifeboat station (including separate sleeping accommodation) on the existing site owned by the RNLI.”

This proposed facility will provide adequate space for the housing, safe egress/access and maintenance of the lifeboats and be in line with modern RNLI standards for crew training, administration, changing and welfare facilities.

The facility will include an engagement space and public viewing area that will enable the education and coastal safety objectives to be met.

The RNLI added that the proposed 565 square metre lifeboat facility is required in Barra to accommodate the Castlebay station’s two lifeboat craft and provide modern crew facilities.

The station currently operates a Severn class lifeboat, the largest type of lifeboat in the RNLI fleet, and a D-class inshore lifeboat.