Girl swimmer MABLETHORPE LIFEBOAT CREW were asked to stand by on the afternoon of Sunday August 26, 1984, after Humber coastguard reported that there were a number of bathers near Tunnel Run outfall where, with the making tide, heavy surf was breaking. The weather was clear and the wind easterly, force 2 to 3.

At 1602 the station's 15ft 6in D class inflatable lifeboat launched, manned by Helmsman Bernard Tuplin and Crew Members Thomas Freeman and Raymond Mayfield. A girl swimmer was in difficulty floating near the outfall.

The lifeboat was run in as close as possible and Crew Member Raymond Mayfield rolled off the sponson into the water. Heavy surf threw him against the concrete outfall, injuring his shoulder and the fingers on his left hand. Despite these injuries, Raymond Mayfield was able to bring the girl to the side of the lifeboat where Thomas Freeman pulled her aboard.

Three large seas broke over the lifeboat before it was eventually possible to get Crew Member Mayfield back on board. The lifeboat then headed back to the beach where the girl was taken to a first aid post.

Wayne Docking took Raymond Mayfield's place in the crew when the lifeboat was called out again to look for another girl who was missing. However, she was later found to be safe ashore and the lifeboat returned to station at 1649.

For this service a letter of appreciation, signed by the chief of operations, Cdr Bruce Cairns, was sent to Crew Member Raymond A. Mayfield..