LAUNCHES AND LIVES SAVED BY LIFE-BOATS AND IRBs 1st December to 29th February: Launches 201, lives saved 67 DECEMBER No. 3 Life-boat Area Bridlington, Yorkshire - At 8.49 p.m.

on 16th December, 1967, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that, following an explosion aboard her, the collier Thomas Goulden of London was making for Bridlington with a member of her crew who was suffering from serious burns. The life-boat William Henry and Mary King, with a doctor aboard, was launched at 9.10 in a strong north westerly breeze and a rough sea. On coming up with the collier it was found that heavy seas were breaking over her forecastle.

On the first run in one member of the life-boat crew was put aboard.

The doctor and a stretcher were then transferred. The collier proceeded into the lee of the land, and thedoctor and life-boatman were reembarked.

The injured man was lowered some 20 feet from the after deck of the collier into the life-boat, which then returned to her station, arriving at 1.2 a.m. on 17th December.

An ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital.

Seaham, Durham - At 7.33 p.m. on 22nd December, 1967, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that flares had been sighted south of Seaham. The life-boat Amelia, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 7.38 in a strong south westerly breeze and a choppy sea.

The tide was ebbing. With the aid of the searchlight, and a further flare being fired, contact was made with the coble Boy Alan. Her engine had failed and there was a crew of two on board. The coble was taken in tow to Seaham and the life-boat returned to her station at 8.15.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk - At 12.15 p.m. on 10th December, 1967, the honorary secretary learnt that a boat was in difficulties about half a mile east of the lookout.

The life-boat Khami slipped her moorings at 12.12 in a north north westerly gale and a moderate sea. It was three hours after low water. The life-boat came up with the auxiliary ketch Chimera of Great Yarmouth, drifting about one mile south of the harbour. There was a man aboard.

The ketch, which had run out of fuel, was taken in tow to the harbour and the life-boat returned to her station at 12.38.

Cromer, Norfolk - At 1.15 a.m. on 19th December, 1967, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that there was a sick man on board the trawler Rotha which was 10 miles north east of the Haisboro light vessel. As poor visibility due to fog would make contact difficult, the Rotha was advised to make forCromer and the life-boat would launch to meet her when she was about four miles out. The life-boat Ruby and Arthur Reed, with a doctor aboard, was launched at 3.20. It was shortly after low water. At 3.30 the trawler fired a flare which enabled the life-boat to confirm her radar course. When the life-boat came alongside the trawler was four miles east of Cromer the doctor went aboard and examined the patient.

He was found to have a strangulated hernia and was taken aboard the life-boat where he was given morphia to ease the pain. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.30, and the patient was transferred to an ambulance.

No. 10 Life-boat Area Arklow, Co. Wicklow - At 7.10 p.m.

on 4th December, 1967, the mechanic informed the honorary secretary that a small open fishing boat from Arklow was overdue. The life-boat Inbhear Mor slipped her moorings at 7.25 in a westerly gale and a moderate sea. It was one and a half hours after low water. The life-boat found the fishing boat with a crew of four at 8.5, four and a half miles north east of Arklow. The crew were embarked and the fishing boat, which had engine failure and whose oars had been broken, was taken in tow to harbour. The life-boat returned to her station at 8.50.

IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in December were carried out by the following stations: No. 4 Life-boat Area Southend-on-Sea, Essex - At 12.10 p.m. on 31st December, 1967, the Leigh sailing club informed the honorary secretary that two boats had capsized and asked if the IRB could assist them. The IRB was launched at 12.12 in a strong to gale force west north westerly wind and a moderate to rough sea. It was five hours after low water. She proceeded to the Leigh sailing club and rendered assistance to two yachts and a catamaran. The IRB rescued five people and after landing them returned to her station, arriving at 1.30.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Hastings, Sussex - At 1.15 p.m. on 29th December, 1967, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a small boat with one man aboard appeared to be drifting out to sea. The IRB was launched at 1.26 in a moderate north westerly wind and a calm sea. It was low water. She found a fibre glass dinghy about two and a half miles off the gas works. The man was exhausted and the dinghy was being blown out to sea by the offshore wind. The IRB took off the man and towed the dinghy into Hastings harbour where she was beached and the man landed. The IRB returned to her station at 3.6.

See page 95 for other IRB services JANUARY No. 1 Life-boat Area Campbeltown, Argyllshire - At 10.26 p.m. on 12th January, 1968, the motor mechanic informed the honorary secretary that he had intercepted a radio message from themotor fishing vessel Golden Oriole reporting that she was in difficulties with a fouled propeller and required assistance. She was three miles south east of Sanda island. The life-boat City of Glasgow II slipped her moorings at 10.43 in a fresh gusting to strong southerly breeze and a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The position of the vessel was noted and it was estimated she would drift close to the west end of Sanda and possibly strike the boiler reef. The life-boat proceeded through Sanda Sound to intercept the drifting vessel. At 12.20 a.m. on 13th January the life-boat asked the vessel to put up a flare, and the lifeboat saw her about a mile away.

At 12.52 a line was passed and the life-boat towed the Golden Oriole to Campbeltown. The life-boat returned to her station at 3.50. The skipper of the Golden Oriole made a donation to the Institution's funds.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Clacton-on-Sea, and Walton and Frinton, Essex - At 9.43 a.m. on 15th January, 1968, the coastguard informed the brother of the acting honorary secretary of the Clactonon- Sea life-boat station that the oyster smack Frederick George of Maldon, which had left Maldon bound for Gillingham at 11.30 a.m.

on 14th January, had not arrived. It was known that the smack had experienced engine trouble in the past. The life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring slipped her moorings at Brightlingsea at 10.50 to search the river Blackwater area. There was a strong west south westerly breeze with a slight sea. The tide was flooding.

At 11 o'clock a further message was received that the smack was off Walton-on-Naze and that the Walton and Frinton life-boat was proceeding to her assistance. The Clacton-on-Sea life-boat was instructed to return to Brightlingsea which she reached at 12.5 p.m. The Walton and Frintonlife-boat Edian Courtauld, with the Inspector of life-boats who was at the station to carry out a routine exercise on board, left her moorings at 11.13. The smack with three men on board was found drifting one and a half miles east north east of the coastguard lookout. The vessel was taken in tow to Harwich which was reached at 12.46. The life-boat left Harwich at 2.32 to carry out the exercise and returned to her station at 3.58. The rescued people made a donation to the Institution's funds.

Sheringham, Norfolk - At 9 p.m. on 29th January, 1968, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that red flares had been sighted one to two miles off Cley. The maroons were fired at 9.10. The life-boat The Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows could not be launched until 9.42 owing to damage to the slipwaywhich made it necessary for the life-boat to be launched across the shingle. There was a west south westerly breeze and a moderate sea.

It was three hours after high water.

The life-boat came up with the motor cruiser Hilary Anne with one man aboard at 10.30. The Dutch coaster Fokke de Jong was standing by. The motor cruiser was taken in tow, but owing to the state of the tide the life-boat anchored off Blakeney until 6.30 a.m. on 30th January. A local boatman then piloted the life-boat and her tow to Blakeney Pit, where the Hilary Anne was safely moored. The life-boat then returned to her station which she reached at 9.15.

No. 10 Life-boat Area Ballycotton, Co. Cork - At 3.15 p.m.

on 9th January, 1968, the coxswain was informed that the local fishing boat Three Boys with a crew of two was in difficulties in Ballycotton bay.

The life-boat Ethel Mary slipped her moorings at 3.30 in an easterly gale and a very rough sea. It was low water. On closing with the casualty it was found that she had lost her rudder. The life-boat took the fishing boat in tow to Ballycotton pier and returned to her station at 4.10.

Cloughey-Portavogie, Co. Down - At 2.55 a.m. on 8th January, 1968, the coastguard informed the coxswain that the French trawler Chenonceaux had gone aground on the rocks at Burial Isle, Birr Point, Co. Down.

The life-boat Glencoe, Glasgow slipped her moorings at 3.10 in a fresh easterly breeze and a moderate sea.

It was three hours before high water.

The life-boat came up with the trawler, which carried a crew of 10, at 3.20. A line was passed and the trawler was towed clear of the rocks at 4.57. The life-boat then returnedto her station which she reached at six o'clock.

IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in January were carried out by the following stations: No. 4 Life-boat Area Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk - At 2.29 p.m. on 24th January, 1968, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a young German seaman, on a work raft, was being swept up river by the flood tide and was nearing Breydon Waters. He had been painting the motor vessel Werner Mayburg of Hamburg when the raft, which had been hoisted up to act as a cradle, fell and was swept away. An attempt had been made to get a life-belt to him but it could not hold him. The IRB was launched at 2.32 in a moderate northerly breeze and a choppy sea. The IRB came up with the raft just after it had been swept into Bryden Water. The seaman was taken off and was returned to his ship. The IRB arrived back on station at 3 o'clock.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire - At 4.38 p.m. on 28th January, 1968, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that two people were seen to be cut off by the flooding tide two miles north of the station. The IRB was launched at 4.45 in a moderate wind and choppy sea. She proceeded to the position indicated and found a man and a woman trapped on the cliff face. They were embarked safely and the IRB returned to her station at 5.45. gee page 95 for other IRB services FEBRUARY No. 1 Life-boat Area Buckle, Banffshire - On 21st February, 1968, the life-boat George and Sarah Strachan, on temporary duty at the station, put out to the assistance of the motor fishing vesselMistletoe and rescued her crew of six. A full account of this service will appear in the September issue of THE LIFE-BOAT.

Humber, Yorkshire - At 7.28 p.m.

on 18th February, 1968, the coastguard informed the coxswain that a motor boat was in difficulties off Cleethorpes pier. The life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 7.35. It was one hour before high water. Patches of dense fog restricted visibility and the lifeboat did not locate the casualty until nine o'clock. She was found about a half mile north of Cleethorpes pier drifting out of the river into the main channel on the ebb tide. Her engine had broken down. There was a man and a woman on board. The latter was taken aboard the life-boat and the motor boat was taken in tow to Grimsby. The life-boat returned to her station at eleven o'clock. A helicopter also participated in this operation.

Bridlington, Yorkshire - On 4th-5th February, 1968, the life-boat William Henry and Mary King was launched to the assistance of the motor vessel Maria F of Hamburg. A full account of this service will appear in the September issue of THE LIFE-BOAT.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Skegness, Lincolnshire - At 11.39 p.m. on 21st February, 1968, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a red flare had been seen about one mile east of Skegness pier. The life-boat Charles Fred Grantham was launched at 12.10 a.m.

on 22nd February in a moderate north easterly breeze and a rough sea.

The tide was flooding. The life-boat found the cabin cruiser Alula with two people on board two miles south east of Skegness pier. The Alula's engine had failed and she was in danger of being swept on to a sandbank.

With the aid of a parachute flare the life-boat took the cabin cruiser in tow, and brought her to Boston which was reached at 7.15 a.m. After mooring the cabin cruiser to the harbour wall the life-boat returned to her station which was reached at noon.

Cromer, Norfolk - At 10.10 a.m. on 4th February, 1968, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a small dinghy with three men on board which was off Haisbro Gat would be in difficulties if they attempted to land. The life-boat Ruby and Arthur Reed was launched at 10.21 in a moderate west south westerly breeze and moderate sea.

A helicopter was also alerted by the coastguard. The life-boat found the dinghy half a mile offshore. The three men, who were not wearing life-jackets, were taken on board the life-boat. Their nine and a half foot dinghy was also taken on board and the life-boat returned to her station at 1.55 p.m.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex - At 1.15 p.m.

on 4th February, 1968, the coastguard reported that a small boat was in difficulties off Lion point, Jaywick.

The life-boat Valentine Wyndham- Quin was launched at 1.50. It was two hours before high water.

The life-boat came up with the cabin cruiser Ginny with three people on board at 2.10. Her engine had broken down. She was taken in tow and moored at Brightlingsea at 3.30. As conditions were unsuitable for rehousing at Clacton the life-boat remained at Brightlingsea and returned to her station at 10.40 a.m.

on 5th February. This was the first service by this new life-boat.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Ramsgate, Kent - At 4.14 p.m. on; 6th February, 1968, the honorary secretary was informed that the small tanker Busby was in difficultiei with her steering gear broken down off Ramsgate harbour. The life-boatMichael and Lily Davis slipped her moorings at 4.22 in a south south easterly gale with a very rough sea.

It was high water. The life-boat came up with the Busby a quarter of a mile from the east pier. The tanker with a crew of three was being carried by the wind and tide. At 4.34 the lifeboat successfully passed a line but was unable to tow her to Ramsgate.

The Busby was therefore taken to Margate roads where she was anchored to await the arrival of the tug Heros from Dover. The tow was transferred to the Heros and at 7.52, when her services were no longer required, the life-boat returned to her station which was reached at 8.21.

The Busby was taken to Dover by the tug Heros.

At 2 a.m. on 10th February, 1968, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a French trawler was aground on the North Goodwin Sands. The life-boat Michael and Lily Davis slipped her moorings at 2.17 in a light north easterly breeze and a slight sea. It was one hour before low water. The life-boat came up with the casualty, the trawler Bon Pasteur with a crew of nine, at 3.10. The sea was breaking over her. The life-boat stood off until sufficient water enabledher to close the trawler. A line was passed and at 6.27 she was towed clear. About half an hour later the tow was transferred to the trawler Jackez Couz. The life-boat returned to her station at 7.33.IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in February were carried out by the following stations: No. 5 Life-boat Area Largs, Ayrshire - At 11.35 a.m. on llth February, 1968, the police informd the honorary secretary that a dinghy with two people aboard appeared to be in difficulties off Fairlie. The IRB was launched at 11.40 in a fresh easterly wind and a smooth sea. It was two hours after high water. She searched off Fairlie but found nothing. A search was then made of the channel between Wee Cumbrae and Big Cumbrae and the dinghy was found off the Lion rock. The IRB towed the dinghy to Fairlie and landed the two survivors who were suffering from cold and exposure. The IRB returned to her station at 2.5 p.m.

See page 95 for other IRB services.