Cruel Sea: The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster, March 12, 2024, BBC Four

Set to air on BBC Four on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM is “Cruel Sea: The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster.” This documentary revisits the tragic events that unfolded in December of 1981 off the coast of Cornwall. The Penlee lifeboat was called to rescue a stricken coaster amidst hurricane-force winds and towering waves reaching up to sixty feet. Despite their valiant efforts, the crew aboard the Solomon Browne were unable to save those aboard the ill-fated Union Star.

Through actual radio recordings, firsthand testimonies from witnesses who were present that night, and emotional accounts from family members who lost loved ones in this disaster; “Cruel Sea: The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster” paints a vivid picture of courage and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds.

Originally broadcast in 2006 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tragic event, this film serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by those who risk their lives at sea to save others.

Join BBC Four on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM for “Cruel Sea: The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster” and witness the resilience and heroism displayed during this harrowing maritime catastrophe.