Stuck in mud A MAN stuck in the mud at the mouth of the River Taff was reported to Swansea Coastguard by Cardiff Police at 2322 on Sunday August 24, 1980. Three men had been in a boat that sank. Two had managed to reach shore, but the third was in soft, deep mud about 200 yards out. It was a fine, clear and calm night with little wind, but the tide which had been ebbing for about five hours was still falling.

While the honorary secretary of the newly opened Penarth lifeboat station was informed an attempt was being made to reach the man with a rocket line, but the attempt failed. Maroons were fired at 2345 and at 0002 on Monday August 25 Penarth's D class inflatable lifeboat launched on her first night service. She was manned by Helmsman Frederick Minchin and Crew Members Richard Minchin and Robert Ryan.

The River Taff was entered at about0020, but there was very little water; even the channel was obstructed in places. When the depth became too shallow for the outboard engine, the lifeboat was paddled up river. A small dinghy was passed on the west mud flats, and when a white parachute flare was fired, the Coastguard confirmed that it was over the casualty.

By now the current was too strong for rowing and the water too shallow for the engine to be used, so the crew disembarked and continued up river for about another 150 yards pulling the inflatable lifeboat; then they saw the waving arms of the man on the mud.

The lifeboat was anchored and while Crew Member Ryan remained behind to tend the boat and man the radio, Helmsman Minchin and Crew Member Minchin crawled across the mud. Finding the man naked to the waist, very cold and exhausted, they gave him an RNLI jacket and got him back to the boat where he was wrapped in a space blanket for warmth. A radio message was sent asking that an ambulance should come to the lifeboat slipway, and that crew members ashore should illuminate the beach with their car headlights.

The lifeboat was then paddled down river until the water was deep enough for the outboard engine to be started.

On the return run the lifeboat struck an obstruction off Penarth Head, damaging her propeller, but she reached her station safely at 0110. The ambulance arrived to take the casualty to hospital and the lifeboat was washed down, rehoused and once again ready for service by 0215.For this service a letter expressing appreciation to Helmsman Frederick J.

Minchin and Crew Members Richard J.

Minchin and Robert J. Ryan, signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Captain Graham Sommerfield, Penarth station honorary secretary..