109. Baptism by Hurricane: Graham Drinkwater

Holyhead volunteer Graham Drinkwater MBE on helping to save 19 lives at 19-years-old

Graham Drinkwater’s first ever lifeboat rescue takes some beating. On 2 December 1966, at just 19-years-old, the Holyhead lifeboat volunteer went to the aid of the crew aboard the stricken Nafsiporos Greek cargo ship in a raging storm and 100mph winds.

Graham shares his memories of the rescue, being on the lifeboat alongside Harold ‘Hurricane’ Harvey – and bringing the survivors ashore in time for a Christmas party at the local hotel. The rescue earned Graham a Bronze Medal for Gallantry – an award he never expected.

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   

Interview by RNLI’s Eleanor Driscoll   

Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls   

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200