Three stranded A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC dialled 999 at 1937 on Thursday, September 3, 1987 to alert Milford Haven Coastguard to two boats in heavy surf off Broad Haven, moving towards Goultrop Roads.

A RAF Sea King helicopter, on exercise in the area, was diverted to investigate and the Broad Haven auxiliary coastguard was also sent to observe.

The helicopter reported that one craft was at anchor and the other wasreturning to Little Haven. The auxiliary coastguard said he believed the craft were safe.

However, at 2029, with darkness closing in and still no sign of the boat, Little and Broad Haven station honorary secretary, Mr J M Phillips, who had been told by coastguards of the initial alarm, expressed concern for the safety of the three men believed to be on board the craft, especially after hearing of a light observed coming from the rocky beach at Goultrop.

The station's 16ft D class inflatable lifeboat was launched immediately with Helmsman Chris Williamson and Crew Members Peter Lewis and Ian Whitby on board. There was a strong southeasterly wind, force 5-6, moderate sea and 4-5ft swell.

Visibility was good with some moonlight and, on arrival at Goultrop, the crew fired two parachute flares to illuminate the area.

Further illumination was provided by the searchlight of the RAF helicopter,which had returned to assist the lifeboat and the three men were recovered from the rocks by the D class and taken through the heavy surf to Little Haven beach.

It was established that the three men had intended moving a large powerboat belonging to one of them from its moorings off Little Haven beach to the more sheltered anchorage at Goultrop Roads, returning to Little Haven in a 12ft dinghy.

Having decided not to attempt the return because of adverse sea conditions, two of the men were landed on the rocks while the dinghy owner moored his boat and swam fully clothed to rejoin them.

It was then their intention to climb a little used and overgrown footpath to the clifftop—a difficult enough task in daylight.

A letter of appreciation signed by the chief of operations, Captain George Cooper, has been sent to the station, congratulating those involved for completing a first class service, in close cooperation with other rescue services and praising in particular Helmsman Chris Williamson for his handling of the lifeboat in the surf, in darkness and a boulder-strewn beach..