On 19 December 1981 the RNLI Penlee Point Lifeboat Solomon Browne of Mousehole in Cornwall was called out in gales to aid in the rescue of drifting Merchant Vessel Union Star whose engines had flooded with seawater. In a short time both vessels were lost with all hands. This was the last time the Royal National Lifeboat Institution lost a whole crew. Coxswain (William) Trevelyan Richards received a posthumous gold medal and each of the crew, a bronze for bravery.