Twelve minutes of terror It took Port Talbot's inshore lifeboat crew just a few minutes to save a life at sea but the three found their training and courage tested to the limit On the morning of 10 January 2006 a call came through to Port Talbot's Lifeboat Operations Manager Robbie Harris requesting the immediate launch of the station's D class Gwenll/an. There was a man overboard from a motorboat somewhere near the deep-water harbour.

Seven minutes later, Helmsman David Jones and Crew Members Chris Thomas and Rachel Thomas left the boathouse for their launching site on the beach. They were faced with torrential rain and an exceptionally high wind that was driving a heavy, dumping surf for 400m out to sea. It was vital to time their launch precisely if they were to avoid capsize.

Once in position, David boarded the lifeboat to start the engine while Chris and Rachel held it head to surf. With waves breaking over the lifeboat and a powerful undertow, this was quite a challenge.

Picking his moment, David called for Chris and Rachel to board and they set out on a skilfully negotiated path through the heavy surf - on occasion, the lifeboat even became airborne. Once clear of the surf, David turned the lifeboat to run south easterly, parallel to the shore and along the crests of the incoming waves, from where they spotted the motorboat, Holly.

Minutes later, Gwenllian safely reached Holly and they spotted the man overboard, Lyndon Ward. He had one arm through a buoy and the other holding onto the motorboat. He was not wearing a lifejacket.

With Holly pitching and rolling heavily in 3m waves, it would not be possible to manoeuvre the lifeboat alongside without posing a danger to Lyndon, so David asked Chris to enter the water and swim to him with the rescue float.

No sooner was Chris in the water than Lyndon went under. Chris forced himself underneath the hull of the motorboat in a desperate bid to find him. He was able to grab Lyndon's arm and bring his head clear of the surface - undoubtedly saving his life.

Whilst Chris put his energies into keeping Lyndon afloat, David skilfully held the lifeboat as steady as possible so that Rachel could drag the pair back to the lifeboat using the rescue float. Once they were alongside, Rachel held onto Lyndon while Chris got himself back into the lifeboat and then she swapped with David at the helm. Due to Lyndon's several layers of saturated clothing, it took the combined strength of the two men to get him onboard. On the third attempt, they used the lifeboat's rolling motion to good effect and successfully hauled Lyndon in. David resumed his position at the helm for the return passage.From her experience as a student nurse, Rachel could tell that Lyndon was in urgent need of medical attention but her attempts to administer first aid were hindered by the lifeboat's violent motion.

Chris informed the Coastguard that they would need back up to get the casualty to hospital. To save time, David took full advantage of the D class's flat bottom and, skirting an area of difficult seas, made an emergency landing on the beach. They were met by other crew and the Coastguard.

Lyndon was now only semiconscious and fitting. Rachel wrapped him in a survival bag and gave him oxygen.

Meanwhile, David and Chris saw that Holly was close to capsize. Thinking of the man still onboard, who had declined their offer of evacuation, they were glad to see a rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor approaching. A winchman was put onboard and the man recovered. Lyndon was picked up from the beach and both casualties were flown to hospital. Within a minute, Holly was hit by a large breaking wave and did indeed capsize. She was later washed up on the beach.

Helmsman David Jones and Crew Member Chris Thomas receive theThanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum in recognition of their courageous rescue in difficult circumstances. Rob Atkinson, RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector (West) praises their actions: 'David demonstrated both courage and great skill in safely manoeuvring the lifeboat through the large breaking seas.

He remained calm, made a number of excellent decisions and led his crew in an exemplary fashion. Chris showed great courage and physical strength by entering the water, swimming to and getting underneath the vessel to recover Mr Ward.' The important role played by Rachel Thomas is also recognised in a Framed Letter of Thanks from RNLI Chairman Sir Jock Slater. 'Rachel's medical knowledge played an important part in this service,' explains Rob. 'Equally, despite her inexperience on the helm, she managed to hold the lifeboat head to sea while David assisted in recovering the casualty.'.