Penlee Lifeboat Disaster With great sorrow the death is announced of the coxswain and crew of Penlee lifeboat which was lost on service on the night of Saturday December 19, 1981.

Penlee lifeboat, the 47ft Watson Solomon Browne, had launched in a violent storm to go to the aid of the coaster Union Star which had reported engine failure when nine miles east of Wolf Rock Lighthouse; there were eight people on board, including one woman and two children. The weather was atrocious with heavy breaking seas, a large swell, heavy rain and very poor visibility - it was so bad that in spite of repeated attempts a Sea King helicopter could not lift off any of the coaster's crew. Penlee lifeboat had reported that she had taken off four people from Union Star before radio contact was lost.

Those who gave their lives were: Coxswain William Trevelyan Richards, Second Coxswain/Mechanic James Stephen Madron, Assistant Mechanic Nigel Brockman, Emergency Mechanic John Blewett, Crew Member Charles Greenhough, Crew Member Barrie Torrie, Crew Member Kevin Smith and Crew Member Gary Wallis.

The deepest sympathy of all lifeboat people is extended to the families of these noble men.

The tragedy occurred just as the final pages of the winter journal were going to press. Fuller information will be published in the next issue..