COXSWAIN DIVES FOR BOY IN a life-saving service at St. Ives, Cornwall, on 26th July, 1972, Coxswain Thomas Cocking, who had been taken to the scene by motor launch ahead of the ILB, dived overboard to assist a boy who was in distress.

The operation started when the St. Ives Coastguard told the honorary secretary that a boy was in the sea off St. Ives Head. The ILB crew were alerted by telephone by Coxswain Cocking at 11.11 a.m. and the ILB was launched at 11.15 with two men.

Immediately following the alerting of the ILB crew Coxswain Cocking ran down to the harbour and, seeing the motor launch Silver Star alongside the quay, requested the owner, Mr R.Pollard, to take him to the scene of the incident.

Silver Star slipped from the quay and took only a few minutes to cover the J mile to the casualty.

The boy was found clinging to a rock, which was awash. He was having difficulty in maintaining a hold in the surge of the ground sea. Unable to get closer with the Silver Star, and with the ILB not yet on the scene, Coxswain Cocking dived overboard and swam 120 yards to the boy.

On reaching him he helped the boy to a safer position to await the arrival of the ILB. Both men were finally taken aboard the ILB which returned to St Ives at 11.28.

A framed letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Commander F. R. H. Swann, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., has been sent to Coxswain Cocking..