A lifeboat station was established here in 1860 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), but was closed in 1902, when Porthcawl Dock closed.[1]
The station was reopened in 1965 as an Inshore Lifeboat Station, with a D-class (EA16) Inshore lifeboat. It currently operates a B-class (Atlantic 85), Rose of The Shires (B-832), on station since 2009, and the smaller D-class (IB1)Hugo Missen (D-861), on station since 2022.[2]
History
The station opened in April 1860, when the 30-foot self-righting 'pulling and sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with oars and sails, The Good Deliverance, was placed here. A boathouse was constructed on the promenade, at the entrance to Knights Arms Square.[3]
In 1872, a new 32-foot lifeboat Chafyn Grove was placed at the station. The existing boathouse to be enlarged, and a harness room was also included, to store equipment for the six horses needed to launch and recover the lifeboat.[2]
In 1887 the station received another new lifeboat, Speedwell (ON 127). This was used very little, with only 9 launches, until the station closed in 1902.
Porthcawl Lifeboat Station was closed in 1902 due to the cessation of commercial traffic to the Docks. Since the majority of the stations launches were for commercial traffic, it was deemed unnecessary to have a lifeboat station and the boathouse was sold.
In 1965, the RNLI re-opened the station and placed on service an inflatable Inshore D-class (RFD PB16) lifeboat . This lifeboat was one of the first D-class lifeboats, designed to give a rapid response to recreational water users around the coast. Due to the RNLI selling the old boathouse, the new lifeboat was housed in a lean-to next to Jennings building and the crew were recruited using adverts in the local press.
On 30 December 1994, the station was alerted to a windsurfer in difficulty, caught in a riptide. Even thought the conditions were well beyond the operational limits of the D-class (EA16), Tiger D (D-390) was launched with experience helm Stuart Roberts, along with Carl Evans and Wayne Evans. When the surfer was finally pulled aboard, he was still attached to his board by an elastic cord, which shot into the lifeboat, hitting Roberts on his 'bump cap', which was dented. Stuart Ian Roberts, helmsman, was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal.[4]
Porthcawl Tractor in use on the RNLI Slipway in Porthcawl
In 2022, D-class (IB1) lifeboat (D-861) Hugo Missen replaced relief lifeboat (D-776) Super G II, based at Porthcawl since 2020. The lifeboat has been named in memory of Hugo Joseph Missen, son of Helm Joseph Missen and his fiancé Jessica Entwistle, who died of cancer in December 2016 aged 15 months. Hugo was also the grandson of Porthcawl RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Philip Missen MBE. [6]
Eight Silver Medals were awarded for rescues off the coast prior to an official RNLI station opening in Porthcawl in 1860.
Bronze Medal – 1929
A Bronze Medal was awarded to William H B Cotton for going to the help of the crew of the steamship Kendy.
Framed Letter of Thanks x 3 – 1968
Three Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to L S Knipe, J Lock and R A Comley for assisting the sand dredger Steepholm in partnership with the Mumbles lifeboat.
Silver Medal – 1995
A Silver Medal was awarded to Stuart Roberts for rescuing a surfer and his board caught in a rip tide in winds gusting to force 9 on 30 December 1994.
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum x 2 – 1995
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellums were awarded to Crew Members Carl Evans and Wayne Evans for their actions during a rescue involving a surfer and his board on 30 December 1994.
Framed Letter of Thanks – 1995
A Framed Letter of Thanks was awarded to the Station Honorary Secretary, Mr John Williams for his actions during a rescue involving a surfer and his board on 30 December 1994.
Framed Letter of Thanks x 2 – 1997
Two Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Helmsman Philip Missen and Crew Member Steve Jones for assisting two people cut off by the tide.
Framed Letter of Thanks x 2- 1998
Two Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Helmsman Philip Missen and Crew Member Ross Martin for rescuing a man clinging to his capsized boat.
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum – 2002
The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Helmsman Timothy Morgan for the rescue of a windsurfer.
Framed Letter of Thanks x 2 – 2002
A Framed Letter of Thanks was awarded to Crew Members Riccardo Rava and Carl Evans for the rescue of a windsurfer.
Bronze Medal – 2002
A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman Nick Beale for rescuing two fisherman washed off the pier in sea conditions exceeding normal operating limits of an Atlantic 75 lifeboat.
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum x 2 – 2002
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellums were awarded to crew members Riccardo Rava and Stephen Knipe for rescuing two fisherman washed off the pier in sea conditions exceeding normal operating limits of an Atlantic 75 lifeboat.
Framed Letter of Thanks – 2002
A Framed Letter of Thanks was awarded to Helmsman Stephen Jones for rescuing two fisherman washed off the pier in sea conditions exceeding normal operating limits of an Atlantic 75 lifeboat.
Bronze Medal – 2004
A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman Aileen Jones when two people and the fishing vessel Gower Pride were saved near the Nash sandbank. Aileen was first female lifeboat helmsman in 116 years to be given such an accolade.
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum – 2004
Crew Member Simon Emms was awarded the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum for saving two people and the fishing vessel Gower Pride near the Nash Sandbank.
