On a summer’s day in 1981, a familiar vessel left the Bristol Channel coastline and set out on what should have been a routine pleasure cruise. The MV Prince Ivanhoe departed from Minehead, calling at Penarth and Barry before heading towards the Gower Peninsula.

For many on board, it was simply a day out at sea. Within hours, it would become one of the most dramatic maritime incidents in South Wales’ recent history.

Now, 45 years on, the Port Eynon History Group is preparing a special exhibition over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend (23–25 May 2026) to commemorate the sinking of the Prince Ivanhoe and the extraordinary rescue that followed.

But to truly tell the story, they are asking for your help.

A moment that changed everything

On 3 August 1981, more than 460 passengers and crew were enjoying an afternoon cruise along the Gower coast when disaster struck. Just off Port Eynon Point, the vessel hit an unseen underwater object, tearing a 60-foot gash in its hull. Water began to flood in.

With the ship in danger, Captain David Neill made a critical decision. Turning towards shore, he grounded the vessel in shallow water at nearby Horton, bringing it to within around 75 yards of the beach. From the shoreline, people watched in alarm as lifeboats were readied and hundreds of passengers donned life jackets, the scale of the situation becoming clear in real time.

An extraordinary rescue

What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Lifeboats from Horton and Mumbles launched alongside coastguard teams, while helicopters arrived overhead. In a coordinated response, every passenger and crew member was brought safely ashore. Tragically, one passenger later died after collapsing on the beach. For those who witnessed it, whether on board or from the shore, it remains an unforgettable moment, defined by both fear and relief.

The missing voices

In the years since, elements of the story have been carefully preserved. The Port Eynon History Group has already gathered accounts from coastguard personnel, lifeboat crews and those who watched events unfold from land.

But one vital perspective is still missing: the voices of the passengers themselves. What did it feel like in those first moments after impact? How quickly did the reality of the situation set in? What do you remember of the rescue, the journey ashore, the conversations that followed?

Help tell the full story

The upcoming exhibition is not just about marking an anniversary. It is about capturing lived experience and ensuring that this moment in our shared coastal history is remembered in full. With the Prince Ivanhoe calling at Penarth and Barry on its final voyage, this is a story that connects communities right across South Wales.

If you were on board that day, or if you have photographs, memories, or stories passed down through family and friends, the Port Eynon History Group would love to hear from you.

Email: porteynonhistory@gmail.com

Because 45 years on, it is those personal memories that will bring this story to life once more.