NCC is taking part in the SOS Radio week in memory of the crew of the Penlee lifeboad who perished 30 years ago wile atending a rescue.

The lifeboat launched at 8:12 pm and headed out through the storm to the drifting coaster.The lifeboat was the Solomon Browne, Watson Class boat built in 1960 and capable of 9 knots After it had made several attempts to get alongside, four people managed to jump across, the captain's family and one of the men were apparently safe. The lifeboat radioed that 'we’ve got four off', but that was the last ever heard from anyone on either vessel.

Lt Cdr Smith USN, the pilot of the rescue helicopter later reported that:

"The greatest act of courage that I have ever seen, and am ever likely to see, was the penultimate courage and dedication shown by the Penlee crew when it manoeuvred back alongside the casualty in over 60 ft breakers and rescuing four people shortly after the Penlee had been bashed on top of the casualty's hatch covers. They were truly the bravest eight men I've ever seen who were also totally dedicated to upholding the highest standards of the RNLI"