In 1965 the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) re-established a lifeboat service at Porthcawl and introduced D Class no. 52, at the time, one of the charity’s new experimental inshore lifeboats. A volunteer crew was formed and demand for the service grew as people spent more leisure time at the coast.

Thursday 26th June 2025 marks exactly 60 years to the day that D Class 52 went on service in Porthcawl. Today Porthcawl RNLI station is one of the RNLI’s busiest in Wales, averaging 70 launches a year operating two inshore lifeboats; an Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rose of the Shires and D Class lifeboat Hugo Missen. Last year (2024) Porthcawl’s RNLI’s lifeboats launched 71 times, saving 16 lives and aiding 91 people.

During the last 60 years the station’s crew have engaged in a number of memorable rescues, in challenging conditions, including three for which station helms have been recognised with gallantry medals by the RNLI. In 1994 Stuart Roberts received a silver medal for the rescue of a surfer in conditions described to be well beyond the limits of a D Class lifeboat. In 2002 Nick Beale received a bronze medal for saving the life of a fisherman swept off Porthcawl Breakwater after a severe gale with enormous waves. In 2004 Aileen Jones received a bronze medal for the rescue of the fishing vessel ‘Gower Pride’ and its two crew in strong south westerly winds at the Nash sand bank. This made Aileen the first ever female crew member within the RNLI, to receive an RNLI medal for gallantry.

The past 60 years have seen huge changes in the technology and design of the lifeboats and the personal protective equipment worn by the crew. The D class lifeboat was originally only operational in summer months and was launched by the crew pushing the boat down the slipway on a trailer. The D Class has evolved over the years and is now fitted with e-nav equipment and AIS and launched at Porthcawl using a specially modified Tooltrak tractor or by Landrover, dependent on the tide. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with twin engines, e-nav equipment, radar, VHF direction-finding equipment, AIS and a righting mechanism in the event of capsize. The Atlantic 85 is launched by a specifically designed tractor, purpose built for launching the Atlantic 85 lifeboat in all conditions.

Today the station’s lifeboats are operational 24/7, 365 days a year and crewed by volunteers.