Rock pool FALMOUTH COASTGUARD telephoned the deputy launching authority of St Agnes lifeboat station at 1817 on Friday August 6, 1982, reporting a youth trapped on rocks at Porthtowan swimming pool, about 3'/2 miles south west of St Agnes.

Maroons were fired and at 1824 the D class inflatable lifeboat was launched on service manned by Helmsman Peter Bliss and Crew Members Paul Gamble and Andrew Beckett.

It was an overcast evening, but clear, with a fresh breeze, force 5, blowing from the north. The sea was rough and it was an hour before high water.

At first the lifeboat's course took her through rough beam seas; speed had to be reduced and the boat frequently had to be brought head to sea to meet the nine foot breaking waves. However, once round St Agnes Head and running before the following sea full speed was maintained; altogether the passage to Porthtowan took about 13 minutes.

When they arrived off the swimming pool the lifeboatmen could not at first see the youth. Then they spotted him, stranded on a 20 foot high rock some 30 feet from the shore; his path to safety was completely covered by a mass of turbulent water which extended acrossthe entire area of the pool. The rock on which he was stranded afforded him some protection against the waves which were frequently breaking over all.

Helmsman Bliss spent several minutes assessing the situation before deciding to try to effect a rescue. He knew that a helicopter had been alerted but considered that the youth was in imminent danger of being swept into the sea and that there was no time to lose.

Porthtowan swimming pool has been made among the rocks making use of their natural formation. On one side is the cliff face and on the other the line of rocks on one of which the youth was stranded. A man-made concrete wall completes the seaward side of the pool.

An approach to the casualty from the sea was out of the question because of the heavy breaking waves and the rocks. The only possible way of approach was from within the pool, which meant taking the lifeboat over the concrete wall, at that time just awash.

The lifeboat's painter was freed in readiness and the outboard engine tilted. While waiting for a wave large enough to carry the boat in over the wall, a particularly heavy series of breaking seas made it necessary for Helmsman Bliss to steer back head to sea until the danger had passed. When the right moment came, however, Helmsman Bliss steered for the narrow entrance to the pool and, keeping close up to the cliff face, he managed to clear the wall. On the way over, the engine skeg struck the wall but although the engine was knocked up it continued to run normally. It was later found that the hull had been damaged by iron pieces protruding above the concrete wall.

The pool itself was rough and confused, the seas sweeping in around the rocks whipping up a caldron of white water. Helmsman Bliss made his approach from directly behind the rock on which the youth was stranded, seeking the only lee available. Crew Members Gamble and Beckett were landed on the rock to see the boy safely into the lifeboat. He was immediately helped into a lifejacket and covered by a survival sheet.

It was extremely difficult to control the lifeboat in the turbulent seas and she was making water. Helmsman Bliss told Crew Member Beckett to remain on the rock and steady the boat with the painter and he called for the Coastguard ashore to throw him a cliff rescue line. The line was attached and the many helpers ashore were able to pull the lifeboat in so that the youth could be landed. Before the lifeboat could return for Crew Member Beckett, however, another series of large waves forced him to release his hold on the painter. The lifeboat was swept round on to the rocks. Crew Member Gamble tried to row clear but both oars snapped, so Helmsman Bliss told Andrew Beckett to wait to be airlifted from therock while he ran the lifeboat ashore to await the falling tide. The time was about 1913.

A Wessex helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was now overhead and Crew Member Beckett was winched to safety.

The youth was taken to hospital where he was treated for shock and cold before being released later. The lifeboat was returned to station by road and, as examination revealed several tears in the hull, she was taken off service.

For this service a letter signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, and expressing appreciation to Helmsman Bliss was sent to Mr R. C. Thomas, honorary secretary of St Agnes lifeboat station. A letter signed by Admiral Graham was also sent to the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose expressing the Institution's appreciation to Lt Ross Waddams, the pilot of the helicopter, and his crew..