Man in water THE MUMBLES COASTGUARD telephoned the honorary secretary of Atlantic College, St Donat's Castle, lifeboat station at 0948 on Sunday May 24, 1981, to inform him that a man had been reported in the water off Witches Point, Southerndown Bay. The assembly klaxon was sounded and within five minutes the station's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat was launched with Helmsman Michael Barker at the controls. With him were Crew Members Lars Linstedt, Adrian Lunn and Arshad Mohammed.

The launch was executed extremely quickly despite very difficult conditions.

The time of high water was 1035 so that the launch had to take place at the top of the slipway. This meant that not only did the crew and launchers have to contend with the moderately rough southwesterly swell coming in from the sea, but also with the return surge when this swell hit the castle wall bordering the slipway.

Although the weather was good a fresh breeze, force 5, was blowing from the south west and the sea and swell were moderate to rough. Nevertheless, full speed was maintained throughout the passage and the four-mile distance, going through Nash Sound, was covered in seven minutes.

On arrival at the scene an angler onshore immediately directed the Atlantic to the casualty. The man was floating, face down, about 300 yards from the shore. The first attempt to come alongside him failed, manoeuvring the boat in the prevailing conditions proving difficult.

So Helmsman Barker instructed Crew Member Linstedt, a swimmer, to enter the water. Lars Linstedt succeeded in turning the man face upwards and with the help of the throwing line returned with the casualty to the boat.

Helmsman Barker deflated a section of the starboard sponson so that the man could be brought aboard more easily.

With the aid of the Brooke Airway mouth to mouth resuscitation was immediately started and the breathing of the casualty revived.

At 1012' a helicopter from RAF Chivenor arrived overhead. The man was air-lifted to Cardiff for transfer to hospital but died while in the ambulance on the way.

By 1042 the Atlantic 21 was back at her slipway. The boat was expertly recovered in conditions which were as difficult as those experienced for launching.

At 1115 she was rehoused, refuelled and once again ready for service.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, was sent to Helmsman Michael Barker and Crew Members Lars Linstedt, Adrian Lunn and Arshad Mohammed, all students at the United World College of the Atlantic..