THE members of the crews of the Scarborough and Teesmouth life-boats have both received framed letters of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Committee of Management, Captain the Hon V. M. Wyndham-Quin, R.N., for their services on the night of i6/iyth November when they were called out to the oil rig Neptune I.

The honorary secretary of the Scarborough station, Mr. D. B. Atkinson, learnt from the coastguard at 8.30 p.m. on the evening of i6th November, 1966, that the oil rig was taking a terrific pounding and had asked for the help of the life-boat as the rig might have to be abandoned. The rig's position was 8 miles north north east of Scarborough.

Maroons were fired at 8.40. There was a force 10 gale blowing from the north north west. The sea was rough, and there was a heavy swell and visibility was poor. It was two hours after high water.

The life-boat, J. G. Graves of Sheffield, which is one of the 37 foot Oakley type, was launched from her carriage at 9.5. When she reached the oil rig squalls of up to 90 knots were recorded and there were seas of up to 35 feet.

The life-boat stood by the oil rig until daylight, when the crew were told her services were no longer needed as wind and weather had moderated. She therefore returned to her station, arriving at 8.45 a.m. on lyth November.

At Teesmouth the report of the danger to the oil rig reached the honorary secretary, Mr. E. R. Copeman, at 8.35 from the Redcar coastguard. Maroons were fired four minutes later, but shortly after the crew had assembled Mr.

Copeman was asked to have the crew standing by as the Scarborough life-boat was going to the oil rig.

Later the District Officer, H. M. Coastguard, asked if the life-boat could be launched to support the Scarborough boat.

The life-boat, Sarah Jane and James Season, which is one of the 47-foot Watson type, put ouc at n p.m.

WASHED OVERBOARD Some three hours later, when the life-boat was abeam of Staithes, Coxswain William Carter handed over the wheel to the bowman while he and the second coxswain, Clive Porter, checked the position.

Coxswain Carter went out through the lee wheelhouse door and was about to come back through it when a very heavy sea rolled over the starboard quarter and washed him overboard. Fortunately, his lifebelt light ignited immediately. The drill for a man overboard was carried out speedily and the coxswain was dragged back inboard.

He decided to press on with the service, and the life-boat reached the oil rig at 7.50 a.m. She had taken 8 hours 50 minutes to cover the 30 miles from Teesmouth.

At 8 o'clock the Teesmouth crew also learnt that their services were no longer needed and they reached Tees Dock at 1.50 p.m.

The station honorary medical adviser examined Coxswain Carter and found he had suffered no serious ill effects.

Members of the Scarborough crew were: W. Sheader (coxswain), T. Rowley (second coxswain), T. Towell (bowman), A. Rennard (motor mechanic), C. J.

Bsan (assistant mechanic), K. Eade, W. Elliott, and J. Rowley.

Members of the Teesmouth crew were: W. Carter (coxswain), E. C. Porter (second coxswain), R. Race (bowman), C. Coates (motor mechanic), D. Robinson (assistant mechanic), L. Oliver, J. Weeks, G. Mclay, and J. Packrin..