THE INCIDENTS which led to the launching of Angle lifeboat, the 46' 9" Watson Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth oj Leeds, on Monday, December 6, 1976, built up over several days.

On Saturday, December 4, the Greek tanker Leonidas sailed from Milford Haven in ballast with a crew of 42 on board. She developed boiler trouble and anchored in position 248°T, 3.2 miles from St Anns Head. The weather was described as calm.

During the following afternoon, Sunday, the weather started to deteriorate.

St Anns Coastguard were monitoring VHP between the tanker and Milford Haven Signal Station. At about 1900 Leonidas reported that she had a complete power failure, and that her anchor was dragging. At 1940 Angle lifeboat was placed on standby. The tug Edengarth sailed from Milford Haven at 2158 to stand by Leonidas, and the tug Simpson sailed from Brest with an ETA of 061400.

The weather at 2243 was: southerly gale force 9, veering south west, increasing storm 10 imminent.

At 0345 on Monday, December 6, the tug Glengarth relieved Edengarth, but at 0532, having had difficulty with the weather, she had to go back into shelter to sort out her gear and restow her towing gear.

Leonidas eventually let go her second anchor at 1102 but had, by then, draggedto a position 1.9 miles from St Anns Head. Her bearing was thought to be 270°T.

The noon weather forecast for St Anns Head was: wind southerly gale force or severe gale force 9, locally storm force 10, especially in gusts; squally showers, with hail and thunder at times; visibility mainly good but poor in showers.

After discussion with the Coastguard, the honorary secretary of Angle lifeboat station authorised the maroons to be fired at 1408. He had decided that the lifeboat should stand by the tanker in case she continued dragging her anchors.

The lifeboat launched at 1438. Once clear of the shelter afforded by land she met the full force of the weather.

Coxswain Rees Holmes cleared through West Channel and went to Mid Channel Rock Buoy to assess the situation while it was still daylight. The lifeboat then took shelter in Warwick Bay. She anchored at about 1550 and the crew took the opportunity to have hot soup and tea.

At 1629 Angle lifeboat was asked to close the tanker as the tug Simpson had arrived. The crew weighed anchor and went out through West Channel to stand by, but the tug decided that it was too dangerous to pass a tow line. At 1821 Coxswain Rees Holmes asked the master of Leonidas if he wished to transfer any of his crew to the lifeboat; he knew that, the cliffs being quite close, it would not be possible to transfer 42 crew members if the tanker broke free of her anchors.

The master declined, saying the lifeboat was no longer required to stand by.

Coxswain Rees Holmes then setcourse for Angle station, speed being reduced because of the breaking seas and the south-westerly wind. When about half a mile from her station, the revolutions on the port engine faded, Coxswain Rees Holmes diagnosed fuel blockage and was in the engine room, clearing the blockage, when the Coastguard recalled the lifeboat to stand by Leonidas. Without hesitation, the lifeboat turned about and headed once more into the full force of the gale. There was no shelter in the area of the tanker, and waves were constantly breaking over the lifeboat and into the wheelhouse, where the crew were, for most of the time, up to their waists in water.

Having a complete power failure, the only light to be seen on board the tanker was the occasional flash of a torch from the forecastle. The Coastguard checked by VHP every 15 minutes to confirm that all was well on board the lifeboat, and the tug Simpson used her searchlights to sight the lifeboat at intervals. During this period, the Coastguard asked Coxswain Rees Holmes if he would like another lifeboat to be called to relieve him. Knowing that it would be a long haul from either Tenby or St David's in the prevailing weather, the coxswain decided against asking for another lifeboat.

By 0035 on Tuesday, December 7, Simpson had managed to get a tow secured and the tanker slipped her cable.

The tug held the tanker for about an hour before making headway with the tow, and the lifeboat stood by until tug and tanker were making headway before setting course for her station.

She once more made her way slowly back to Angle because of the breaking seas and high winds, arriving at the boathouse at 0400. She was rehoused and ready for service at 0430.

During the 14 hour service the weather was as forecast at noon on December 6 with hail, thunder and lightning at times.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum werebeen accorded to Coxswain/Mechanic William J. Rees Holmes. Vellum service certificates have been presented to Second Coxswain Brian Brown, Assistant Motor Mechanic Michael Eynon, Second Assistant Motor Mechanic Anthony Steward and Crew Members Peter Jones and Daniel Richards..