Clawing off beach AT 2302 ON FRIDAY December 23, 1977, St Anns Coastguard informed the honorary secretary of St David's lifeboat station that the cargo vessel Cumulus I of Panama bound from Glasgow to Beirut appeared to be in serious trouble off Musslewick Beach, Marloes, in St Brides Bay some 7'/2 miles south by east of the lifeboat station.

The weather was bad. Storm force 10 winds were blowing from the west, the seas were very high with a flooding tide and visibility was poor when, at 0140 on December 24, the lifeboat was askedto launch. Maroons were fired but because of the noise of the storm it was doubtful if they could be heard and the crew were called by telephone. At 0210 the 47ft Watson lifeboat Joseph Soar (Civil Service No. 34) launched and set out at full speed.

Cumulus I which had been dragging her anchor, managed to claw her way off the beach and make rendezvous at 0306 with the lifeboat, which then escorted her through very heavy seas to Milford Haven. They arrived at 0835.

Having partaken of refreshment and hot drinks provided by Hakin Point branch, the lifeboat left Milford Haven for her station at 1110 and arrived back in St Davids at 1345.

The captain of Cumulus I made a donation to the lifeboat crew and a letter signed by Captain Nigel Dixon,director of the Institution, was sent to W. Llewellyn, the station honorary secretary, thanking the coxswain and crew..