Swimmers rescued MABLETHORPE iLB deputy launching authority was informed by a council lifeguard at 1458 on August 6, 1975, that there were two swimmers in difficulties off the 'pipe tunnel', an outfall pipe protected by a groyne, some quarter of a mile north of the station.

Maroons were fired immediately to assemble the crew. It was three hours to high water and the wind was southeasterly, force 2. However, despite the light wind, a moderate south-easterly swell was producing a heavy surf, complicated by an additional cross swell, resulting in a confused, boiling sea on the beach and on off-lying shoal ground.

The three helpers and crew were assisted by visitors in holding the boat head to sea before launching. While thelaunch was in progress there were more reports of swimmers in difficulties and at the launching site at least two people were dragged from the water by helpers.

The ILB, with Bernard Tuplin at the helm and John Mayfield and Michael Westfield as crew, launched at 1503.

Handling with superb skill a boat which was frequently being swept by breaking seas and could not in those conditions be effectively drained, Bernard Tuplin cleared the main surf on the beach and off-lying bank. Despite the state of the sea, the ILB then set course at full speed for a position offshore from the two swimmers and just outside the worst of the break on the bank.

The swimmers were in extreme difficulties in the worst of the surf and were about 10 feet apart. The situation was such that any attempt to manoeuvre the ILB to each individual casualty would have been impossible and probably would have resulted in the loss of both people; there would have also been a high risk of capsize. Any delay in picking up the swimmers could well have resulted in a fatality.

Bernard Tuplin realised that there was only one course of action, and that was to pick up both people 'on the run'. He and his crew were all aware of the urgency and the dangers involved—and also that they would probably only have the one chance of success.

Bernard Tuplin took a course running in with the surf that would bring a casualty to each sponson in turn. John Mayfield and Michael Westfield were to grasp a swimmer each and hold him to the sponson.

The determination, skill and good teamwork shown by this crew was well rewarded by a smooth and successful pick-up of both casualties, and the run was continued straight in to the beach; with the confused swell and the boat heavy with water, the ILB could at any time have broached and capsized.

The ILB was recovered and ready for service at 1520.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Helmsman Bernard Tuplin and Crew Members John Mayfield and Michael Westfield..