Life-boat O.N. 44-001 Life-boat O.N. 44-001 - At 12.10 p.m.

on 26th March, 1966, while on passage from Dover to Littlehampton, the lifeboat O.N. 44-001 came upon the yacht Orion of Newhaven which was burning distress flares. She was stopped and lying broadside to a steep sea. There was a gale force south south westerly wind and a rough sea. At the same time the cross- Channel ferry Villandry arrived on the scene, and stopped. The life-boat approached the yacht and the owner asked for a tow to Newhaven. The staff socket was corroded and it was necessary to unship the ensign staff before towing could commence. When it had been removed the tow-rope was quickly passed to the yacht and made fast around the base of the gypsy-windlass. The tow started at rninimum revolutions, and the ferry, which had been giving some lee, then continued her voyage. Within a few minutes, however, the windlass came away from the yacht's deck and brought down the main mast, which broke in two.

It was obvious that there was no fitting strong enough to which the tow-rope could be secured, so it was decided to take off the crew of two young boys and a man.

MUCH WRECKAGE There was so much wreckage around the yacht that they had to be taken from the stem of the boat. The life-boat was placed at right angles against the yacht and as the first survivor came over the stem, the lifeboat was put astern. The other two survivors were rescued in a similar manner.

When the survivors were safely on board the life-boat she stood by the yacht for about 15 minutes. The owner then requested that no attempt be made to put anyone back on board because of the considerable risk involved.

It was then decided to abandon the wreck and land the survivors at Newhaven.

The life-boat eventually arrived at Littlehampton at 1.5 p.m..