Surfer saved by inshore lifeboat in severe gale and heavy seas Helmsman Stuart Roberts of Porthcawl's D class inshore lifeboat was awarded a Silver Medal for outstanding bravery during the rescue of a surfer in very rough seas on 30 December 1994. Crew members Carl and Wayne Evans were awarded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum.In his report George Rawlinson, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats (west) said: 'The conditions were well outside the operating limits for a D class lifeboat. The station honorary secretary made the difficult decision to launch because the situation was so grave, but also having discussed the rescue with the extremely able and experienced helmsman and seaman and the fact that the casualty was in sight.

The service was superbly executed in severe surf, wind and tidal conditions, which demanded the most excellent boathandling and seamanship skills as well as a high degree of bravery and confidence.' At 1341 on 30 December 1994 a surfer was reported in difficulties off Coney beach. The honorary secretary, John Williams, had been at the station earlier and realised that the deteriorating weather would soon be beyond the Force 7 operating limit of the D class lifeboat. In view of the weather Mr Williams did not launch the lifeboat immediately but went to the station to assess the situation. Meanwhile he asked that the crew pagers be activated.

At about 1330 Helmsman Stuart Roberts was driving along the promenade and decided to go to the lifeboat station in view of the severe weather. Having been told that there was someone in the water he ran to the end of the pier and then telephoned the Coastguard when he saw a surfer caught in a rip tide and waving for help.

Huge waves were piling into the bay and a heavy south-westerly swell was sending green water over the end of the breakwater. The wind was Force 8-9 andthe tide was flooding. When the honorary secretary arrived the lifeboat was at the top of the slipway ready to launch. A lone surfer could be seen waving for help, about 300m offshore. He was caught in a vicious rip tide and was continually being washed off his board and in imminent danger.

Mr Williams was faced with an agonising decision, for the conditions were well outside the operating limits for a D class lifeboat. He and the helmsman discussed the situation and at 1355 the lifeboat launched, with great difficult as the wind was pinning her to the breakwater.

It was impossible to head directly towards the casualty as the helmsman had to square the lifeboat up to the walls of broken water, about 4m high and breaking as they reached shallow water.

Progress was difficult and dangerous, with the lifeboat constantly filling with water. Helmsman Roberts had to sit on the sponson of the lifeboat to steer, so that he could see over the surf and watch for approaching waves. By using a high degree of seamanship and boathandling skills he was able to close the surfer within two or three minutes.

Helmsman Roberts positioned the life-boat head to sea and crew member Wayne Evans grabbed the casualty just as a huge wall of broken water hurtled towards them. Stuart Roberts shouted to let the man go, and powered the lifeboat forward to break through the wave.

He feared that the wave would capsize them, but the wave went right over the lifeboat, swamping it with white water.

The helmsman managed to get the boat clear of the surf and turned in to pick the man up, although it took another two attempts before the surfer could be pulled aboard. His was still attached to his board by an elastic cord and as he was dragged aboard the surfboard flew into the lifeboat and nearly knocked out the helmsman, denting his bump cap. Turning the lifeboat square on to each wave helmsman Roberts managed to dash shorewards in each of the troughs.

Keeping the lifeboat just ahead of the following seas he ran her straight up onto the sandy beach to land the casualty.

The honorary secretary, and others, watching from the shore, had seen the lifeboat repeatedly engulfed in broken water and were all amazed that boat and crew could withstand so much punishment..