THE two members of the crew of the Easmey, Hampshire, inshore rescue boat, Helmsman Robert Faro and Roy Richards, have each been accorded the thanks of the R.N.L.I. inscribed on vellum for rescuing two people from a speedboat which capsized in a strong west south westerly wind on the afternoon of Sunday, 26th March, 1967.

A report that a speedboat had capsized was made by the coastguard at 2.56 that afternoon. The position given was mile south of Gunner Point. The coast- guard asked for the help of the IRB. The IRB put out two minutes later.

The strength of the wind was estimated at force 7. In the fairway and at the approaches to the harbour entrance the sea was rough. It was two hours after high water.

The helmsman kept to the east side of the channel, where conditions were easier, and at 3.5 the IRB reached the speedboat. She found her almost sub- merged with one survivor hanging on to a line and supported by a kapok cushion.

He said that his companion had swum ashore.Mr. Faro, who knows these waters extremely well, decided to make a search in the direction of Hayling Island. Here the sea was extremely rough and con- fused and it was clear that the survivor would have been unlikely to swim through it. The IRB therefore altered course to the eastward and a head was sighted in the water. As the IRB closed the survivor he was seen to be clinging to a poly- thene fuel container. At the second attempt the IRB crew succeeded in dragging him aboard.

Mr. Faro decided the best way to return to the station would be directly across the East Winner, close to Hayling Island, as sea conditions on the southern side were very bad and there was a strong adverse tide. He therefore took the IRB on the two-mile return passage through rough confused seas and reached the station at 3.30. The two men rescued received treatment for severe shock..