A CLIFF SAVE AT 2.25 p.m. on 10th June, 1972, the coxswain of the Clovelly, North Devon, life-boat was advised by a member of the public that two men were trapped on the cliff face below Gallant Rock to the west of Clovelly. Gesturing hand signals from the shore attracted the attention of theClovelly crew, who were aboard life-boat 44.001 at the mooring, and two volunteers, Boat Mechanics R. G. Tanner and P. J. Croft, landed in the ILB, also on temporary duty at the station, to investigate.

The wind was north west, force 3, and the ILB took only two minutes to land Mr. Tanner and Mr. Croft, who were equipped with a nylon line. Then the boat returned to life-boat 44.001 to report the situation.

The two men were trapped on a ledge some 20 feet above the beach but due to rock falls found their footholds insecure. This prevented them from climbing down. They were in no danger, however, from the rising tide as the high water mark was some 20 yards from the base of the cliff.

Mr. Tanner and Mr. Croft, wearing working clothes and seaboots, were not dressed for the work in hand, but they went ahead with the rescue. They scaled a steep dirt track to a height of 100 feet, crossed the cliff at this point, which is covered in scrub and undergrowth, and arrived at a point directly above the casualties. Using a nylon line secured at this point they climbed down the cliff and helped the two men to safety to the beach below.

Framed letters of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Commander F. R. H. Swann, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., have been sent to Boat Mechanics Tanner and Croft..