The Mumbles Lifeboat and the STEEPHOLM rescue

The volunteer members of the Mumbles Lifeboat crews have been famous for well over 150 years for their dedication in rescues at sea.

On this occasion, 3 October 1968, the crew saved seven men from the Sand Dredger, Steepholm, which had been grounded by a gale on the Tusker Rock off Porthcawl.

The vessel used was a Watson Class reserve lifeboat, The Cunard, which was standing in for the usual one, The William Gammon which was away having a refit at the time. Visibility was poor and they were assisted by the Porthcawl lifeboat and by the radar of a coastal tanker, Grovedale H, which had just left Swansea.

Six survivors were picked up from their life rafts and the lifeboat ventured towards the wreck, where the Master, still on board, tried to jump onto the lifeboat. A heavy sea caught the boat and he fell between the hulls. Second Coxswain William Davies and Lifeboatman, Jack Whitford quickly dragged him aboard.

The RNLI awarded Coxswain, Derek Scott a Bronze Medal and the rest of the crew received a certificate citing their involvement in the rescue. The crew of the Porthcawl boat received framed letters of thanks.