Divers in trouble FIVE PEOPLE in an inflatable dinghy in difficulty on the lee side of Dulas Island were reported to the honorary secretary of Moelfre lifeboat station by Holyhead Coastguard at 1408 on Monday August 21, 1978, and at 1417 the station's D class ILB launched on service crewed by Second Coxswain John Thomas, in command, and Crew Member Kenneth Roberts.

A strong breeze to near gale, force 6 to 7, was blowing from the south west with a slight to moderate sea and moderate swell. Visibility was good. It was 40 minutes after high water springs and the ebb stream was setting to the north.

The ILB was taken through Moelfre Sound and then course was set directly for Dulas Island P/4 miles away. Whenabeam of Lligwy Beach the boat began to meet rough breaking seas and heavy swell. The wind was now estimated to be a full force 7 and water was breaking over the ILB, but although experiencing difficulty in controlling the boat in the beam sea, Helmsman Thomas still maintained full speed. When half way across Dulas Bay it was found that the VHP radio was defective.

Shortly after reaching the southern end of Dulas Island, at 1425, Ken Roberts sighted the casualty about a quarter of a mile to the west. Heading for the casualty meant heading into the sea, and the ILB could only make very slow progress. As she worked her way up wind her crew could see six people wearing wet suits sitting in an inflatable boat which was very low in the water, and which was being driven by outboard engine slowly south towards Lligwy Beach. The ILB was taken round her stern and, at 1435, alongside her starboard side. The boat was found to be full of water with some of the crew trying to bail using face masks.

Two people were transferred to the ILB along with a large amount of diving gear and then, with the ILB taking station astern of the casualty, both boats continued slowly towards Lligwy Beach and into quieter water. About quarter of an hour later, at 1450, both boats were beached at Lligwy. Before landing Ken Roberts had been able to get the radio working and had passed a situation report to Moelfre Coastguard.

Once the divers were safely ashore the ILB returned to her station keeping close in to the land in calmer water.

She arrived off the slip at 1500 and was ready for service by 1536.

For this service framed letters of thanks signed by Major-General Ralph Farrant, chairman of the Institution, were sent to Second Coxswain John Thomas and Crew Member Kenneth Roberts..