AT 1.55 on the afternoon of the 12th of December, 1955, the Swanage coast- guard told the honorary secretary of the Swanage life-boat station, Mr. W.

Powell, that the tug Flying Kestrel had passed a distress message to Niton Radio Station. The Flying Kestrel had had a barge in tow, but this had broken adrift off Poole Bar buoy and was driving ashore. There was one man on board the barge.

The Swanage life-boat R.L.P. was launched at 2.14. The sea was very rough, a gale was blowing from the east-south-east, and it was one hour before low water.

Breaking Sea Astern Coxswain Robert Brown made for the position, setting a course which would keep the life-boat well clear of Standfast Point at the southern end of Studland Bay. As he neared the buoy he saw the barge aground on Milkmaid Shoal, and once more altered course. This brought the wind and the breaking sea astern, and the drogue was streamed until the life-boat approached the barge. By then the time was 2.40.

The barge was aground on the sea- ward edge of the shoal, about half a mile from the shore, and was in six feet of water. Her head was to the north-north-east.Coxswain Brown decided to ap- proach the barge on the weather side because of the lack of water to lee- ward. He made one trial run, in which he passed close to the star- board side of the barge, but the life- boat hit the bottom a number of times and was swept by the break- ing sea.

Veered Down on Barge After this trial run Coxswain Brown decided that he must anchor and veer down on the barge. Using both engines he was able to manoeuvre the stern of the life-boat so that the sur- vivor was able to jump aboard without injury. The man was rescued at 3.5.

The life-boat returned to Poole, where the survivor was landed at four o'clock.

As the weather would not allow her to be rehoused at Swanage she remained at Poole until the 15th of December, when she returned to her station.

For the good seamanship, sound judgment and initiative which he showed in handling the life-boat in difficult and dangerous circumstances, Coxswain Robert Brown has been accorded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum.

Rewards to the crew, £12 10,?.; travelling expenses, £2 2s..