Coxswain Alan Thomas of Tenby. Alan Thomas joined the Tenby lifeboat crew in 1966, was assistant motor mechanic from 1972 to 1974 and served as second coxswain from 1974 to 1982 when he became coxswain. He was awarded the thanks of the Institution on vellum for a service he carried out on May 15, 1983 in the station's inflatable lifeboat. The D class inflatable was launched into a moderate sea after two young boys had been cut off by the tide at Freshwater East, westward along the coast. The two boys were picked up, none the worse for their ordeal, but in worsening weather the return trip took nearly an hour. Alan Thomas is married with four children and is well known among the many holiday makers who visit the town as he is the boatman in charge of the ferry to Caldy Island, a trip Alan makes at least once a day, every day of the year, fair weather or foul..