Three rescued RED FLARES sighted off Saltfleet Haven were reported to the honorary secretary of Mablethorpe lifeboat station by Humber Coastguard at 1940 on Sunday August 24, 1980, and, with the assistance of shore helpers, the station's D class inflatable lifeboat launched through heavy surf at 1953; she was manned by Helmsman Bernard Tuplin and Crew Member John Mayfield. A moderate breeze, force 4, was blowing from the north east and it was two hours after high water.

The casualty, six miles north of the station, was reached at 2015 and found to be a coble which had suffered engine failure after being swamped while trying to cross the bar; she had a crew of three. A fishing boat out of Saltfleet, Billy Witch, had managed to take off one man but, as by that time the 14ft open coble was inside the surf linevthe state of the sea prevented Billy Witch from taking off the other two.

The inflatable lifeboat made two runs into the surf, taking off the two men on board and also a line from the coble to take her in tow. So heavy was the surf that, with no helpers on shore, it was impossible to land at Saltfleet. Outside the surf line there was only a medium swell, so it was decided to tow the coble back to Mablethorpe.

By the time the lifeboat and her tow arrived back at Mablethorpe it was dark. The shore was illuminated by parachute flares and a searchlight and, with the assistance of all spare crew and helpers, who worked chest high in very dangerous surf, the two boats were beached at 2215. The lifeboat was rehoused at 2230.

For this service a framed letter of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, was sent to the crew and shore helpers of Mablethorpe lifeboat station..