Sinking trawler DUNMORE EAST PILOT STATION informed the deputy launching authority of Dunmore East lifeboat station at 1035 on Monday October 12, 1981, that the trawler Wheal Geavor, with a crew of three, was disabled and making water; she was 19 miles south east of Hook Head and in urgent need of help.

Maroons were fired and the lifeboat crew collected a portable salvage pump from the harbour before boarding. At 1050 Dunmore East 44ft Waveney lifeboat St Patrick slipped her moorings and set out on service under the command of Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Whittle.

It was a fine morning with a fresh breeze, force 5, blowing from the north west and a moderate sea running. High water had been at 0520.

On clearing harbour. Coxswain Whittle headed towards the casualty at full speed and, with following seas, a good passage was made. At 1120 the Irish naval patrol boat LE Aisling reported that she had a sent a boarding party to the trawler with a salvage pump and that she was passing a tow. The position of the casualty was 21 miles off Hook Head.

St Patrick arrived on scene at 1230together with a small coastal tanker MV Banwell. She was asked to stand by while Banwell placed a salvage pipe aboard Wheal Geavor. LE Aisling continued to tow the trawler towards Waterford at about three knots.

At 1240 the tanker adjusted speed alongside the trawler's port side and passed a suction hose aboard. Attempts to pump, however, were not successful and at 1305 the lifeboat crew noted an appreciable settlement of the casualty.

St Patrick moved in close and advised 'abandon ship'. By 1312 it was obvious that the trawler was sinking and she was listing to starboard. Six men jumped to safety aboard Banwell but Cadet Foskin remained to let go the tow.

The trawler's list was increasing rapidly and Coxswain Whittle decided to go in and rescue the cadet without delay. With his crew ready on the foredeck, and remaining there despite the danger from the casualty's listing mast and gallows, the coxswain brought the lifeboat alongside the trawler's starboard side and held her bow hard against the trawler while Assistant Mechanic Sean Kearns and Crew Member Patrick Glody snatched the cadet from the well deck and pulled him aboard. He then drove the lifeboat full ahead clear of the trawler just before she sank. At 1315 St Patrick went alongside Banwell and took off the three fishermen. LE Aisling sent a launch to collect her boarding party.

St Patrick arrived at Dunmore at 1510, landed the three survivors and was refuelled, remoored and ready for service at 1600.

For this service framed letters of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, were presented to Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Whittle, Assistant Mechanic Sean Kearns and Crew Member Patrick Glody..