Port Talbot History

1966 The RNLI established an inshore lifeboat (ILB) station on 22 May with a D class lifeboat. The ILB was kept in a boathouse at Aberavon Beach.

1995 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Crew Member Robert Vernon Harris for his courage and initiative when he transferred from the lifeboat to the converted ship’s lifeboat Panama to secure a tow and to reassure the three crew whilst the craft was towed to a mooring in the River Afan on 4 March.
Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Crew Members Leigh Worth and Stanley May.

1997 The station was temporarily moved.

1998 A new ILB boathouse was built close to the Coastguard station.

1999 Framed Letters of Thanks were presented to Helmsman Matthew Rossi and Crew Member Leon Murphy and a Director’s letter of thanks to Crew Member David Jones for a service to the ore carrier Mineral Century. A man had fallen overboard and despite a 3–5m swell and rough seas he was recovered and airlifted to hospital. The man had initially been found by the pilot vessel Seamark and the Master received a letter of thanks from the Chief of Operations.

The new D class lifeboat, D-550 Gwenllian The Rotary Club of Port Talbot, was named on 5 September.

2006 Helmsman David Jones and Crew Member Christopher Thomas were awarded Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum, while Crew Member Rachel Thomas received a Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman. The service involved saving the life of a man who was thrown overboard from a small motorboat in force 6-7 winds and 3m swells.

Station honours

At Port Talbot lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks 5
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 2