Moelfre Seawatch Centre
The Seawatch Centre at Moelfre on Anglesey was taken over by the RNLI volunteers in 2011 and is a great tourist attraction and place of education for kids and families alike.
The Seawatch centre is a visual time capsule of the maritime history of Moelfre.
Old lifeboat display
The lifeboat which takes centre stage at the Moelfre Seawatch Centre is the retired RNLI lifeboat Birds Eye, which was presented by Birds Eye Foods Ltd.
The lifeboat first entered service during 1970 and was assigned to New Quay Lifeboat station in Ceredigion, Mid Wales.
The lifeboat saw 20 years of active service saving a total of 42 lives and being involved in 90 rescue missions.
Coxwain Richard Evans - Lifeboatman
Richard’s Life
Richard Evans B.E.M (Dic Evans) (January 19, 1905 - September 13, 2001) was born and raised in the coastal village of Moelfre.
Richards father was a merchant seaman and at the age of 14 he followed his fathers footsteps. At the age of 23 he took command of his first ship the MV Colin.
Later in life he took over the family butchers shop and then during World War 2 he served as a signalman in the Home Guard.
Service in the RNLI
Richard Evans’ family had served in the RNLI for many generations. One of his ancestors is know to have been involved in the rescue of The Royal Charter during October 1859. Both of Richards Grandfathers had served in the lifeboat crew at Moelfre.
At the age of 17 Richard Evans also joined the crew, at that particular time, his father was a member of the lifeboat crew and his uncle was the Coxswain.
Richards 3 sons David, Derek and William also joined the crew at Moelfre lifeboat. During the second World War Richard was second Coxswain and in 1954 when his uncle retired hew was promoted to Coxswain.
Richard was in the lifeboat service for a massive 50 years and during that time he was involved in 179 rescues and the saving of over 200 lives.
Lifeboat Awards
- 1940 Thanks of the RNLI on vellum for being involved in the rescue of 60 crew from the SS Geleden which had been torpedoed and run aground in the Menai Strait.
- 1943 RNLI Bronze Medal for being involved in rescue of airman from a crashed Whitley bomber.
- 1959 RNLI Gold Medal for actions as the coxswain of the lifeboat leading to the rescue of the entire crew from the MV Hindlea which was being dragged onto the rocks from its anchorage in a severe storm and heavy seas at Moelfre.
- 1960 Queen’s Silver Medal for gallantry at sea.
- 1966 RNLI Gold medal for rescue of crew from the disabled and drifting Greek vessel Nafisporos.
- 1969 British Empire Medal.
- In 1978 Evans was also made an Honorary Bard at the National Eisteddfod of Wales held in Cardiff.
Richard Evans Memorial Statue
Richard Evans (Dic) and his amazing lifeboat career were immortalised in a full size Bronze statue which looks out to sea next to the Seawatch centre at Moelfre.
On the 23rd of November in 2004 this amazing bronze statue was unveiled by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. The statue which stands 7 ft high and was created by sculptor Sam Holland is placed on a plinth of granite.
The Moelfre Seawatch shop address is: RNLI Seawatch Centre, Moelfre, Anglesey. LL72 8HY. The opening hours for the Seawatch Centre are: February half term week. Daily 10.30am - 4.30pm. Easter-October
