Fire rescue WHEN THE Ministry of Defence range finder m.v. Dolwen was reported on fire nine miles out on December 8, 1972, the Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, lifeboat was alerted.

At 4.37 p.m. the Howard Marryat, a 46-foot Watson, was launched in a gale force southerly wind and a rough sea.

She found the casualty fiercely ablaze from stem to stern. The crew of seven, having abandoned ship in an inflatable life raft, were taken aboard the lifeboat and brought into Fishguard, with the inflatable raft and the Dolwen's dinghy in tow.

The lifeboat returned to her station at 7. p.m. Later a tug went out and towed the burnt-out hulk of the casualty into Milford Haven.

Letters of appreciation for the prompt and efficient response and action by the lifeboat crew were received from the managers of the Dolwen and from the Superintendent of Ranges, Ministry of Defence..