Port Talbot's station history

D class lifeboat placed on service on 22 May. Council paid £750 towards the cost of the inshore lifeboat house and the balance was paid by Mr D A Scott and associates.

Mayor presented a plaque to the station bearing the coat of arms of the borough. The plaque is exhibited in the boathouse.

Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to crew member Robert Vernon Harris in recognition of his courage, initiative and seamanship when in rough seas he transferred from the lifeboat to the 24ft 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. The Panama had suffered engine failure.

Framed Letters of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution awarded to crew members Leigh Worth and Stanley May in recognition of their fine efforts during this service.

Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Mr David Acland, presented to Helmsman Matthew Rossi and crew member Leon Murphy for a service on the night of 5 November.  A letter signed by the Director, was presented to crew member David Jones. A man had fallen overboard from the ore carrier Mineral Century. Despite a nine to fifteen feet swell and rough seas the man was recovered and airlifted to hospital. The man had initially been found by the pilot vessel Seamark and the master received a letter signed by the Chief of Operations.

Following the visit on 4 September 2001 by the Coast Review delegation, led by Commodore R C Hastie, it was agreed by the Search and Rescue Committee on 6 February 2002 and resolved by the Executive Committee at their meeting on 10 April 2002 that there be no change to the lifeboat cover provided at Port Talbot Lifeboat Station.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Helmsman David Jones and crewmember Christopher Thomas, and crewmember Rachel Thomas received a Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Admiral Sir Jack Slater, in recognition of their actions when the D class inshore lifeboat saved the life of a man who was overboard from a small motor boat in south westerly Force 6/7 winds and three metre swells. Christopher Thomas had to enter the sea to recover the man, who had submerged. First aid was rendered once the man was recovered. (The second man on the small motor boat was recovered by an RAF helicopter.)

The new station D class lifeboat D713 Nigel Martin Spender was placed on service on 17 March. Lifeboat D550 has been withdrawn.

Following the visit on Tuesday 24 January 2012 by the Coast Review delegation, led by Rear Admiral John Tolhurst, it was agreed by the Operations Committee on 21 March 2012 and resolved by the Trustee Board at their meeting on 4 April 2012 that there be no change to the lifeboat cover provided by Port Talbot Lifeboat Station.