A SAILING DINGHY in difficulties off Little Orme was sighted by Llandudno deputy launching authority and station mechanic at 1525 on April 27, 1974. The DLA immediately advised HM Coastguard and assembled the crew.

The wind was north east force 5 with a moderate to rough sea; it was about 40 minutes after high water. On the first attempt to launch, the 1LB was thrown back on to the beach, but her crew (Station Mechanic Robert Jones as helmsman, Gordon Short and Hugh Hughes) got her away on the second attempt and by 1535 had set course for the casualty.

Arriving off Little Orme ten minutes later they found that the dinghy was already on the rocks. One of her crew was ashore on the rocks; the other, who had tried to climb the cliffs, was stranded about 30' above the sea, a short distance to the south.

The wind was still north east force 5, with a short, steep swell and rough sea.

Helmsman Jones, awaiting the right moment, ran in between and behind the rocks on the back of a large wave, took off the first man and cleared to sea by again waiting for a large wave and making the run out on it. During this operation the engine sustained some damage.

Having satisfied himself that the man on the cliff was safe for the time being, and fearing that the man he had aboard, who had been in the sea, might be suffering from exposure, Helmsman Jones decided to return to the beach and ask for the help of the Mountain RescueTeam. The 1LB was back at the beach by 1635.

The Mountain Rescue Team, called on to rescue the second man, asked that Rhyl ILB should stand by below. The man was helped down the cliff, taken aboard the ILB and landed at Llandudno beach. Rhyl boat and crew were then taken back to station in the Llandudno Land Rover.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Helmsman Robert Jones.

Vellum service certificates were presented to Crew Members Gordon Short and Hugh Hughes..