COXSWAIN JOHN Fox and the young crew of the Shoreham life-boat have been awarded a framed letter of thanks, signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Admiral Sir Wilfrid Woods, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.O., for the rescue of two people from a yacht in distress.

It was at 1958 hrs. on 22nd September, 1968, that red flares were reported a mile south east of Littlehampton pier head. The maroons were fired two minutes later. A wind of force 6-7 was blowing.

The Dorothy and Philip Constant, which is a 42-foot Watson life-boat, was launched at 2008 hrs. on 23rd September. At about 2130 hrs., having reached the reported position, she started to search. By then conditions had worsened, there was a rough, confused sea, and visibility was reduced by rain squalls. The life-boat's searchlight and parachute flares were used. Then, at 2215 hrs., the anchor light of the casualty was sighted further seaward than reported.

Having circled the yacht, the life-boat approached the casualty's starboard side at 2219 hrs. It was found that the yacht was taking in water and her engine was out of action. A woman was taken aboard the life-boat, and a member of the life-boat crew was transferred to the Jean Ann to assist the skipper.

SEAMANSHIP PRAISED Coxswain Fox took the yacht in tow, made a wide sweep to seaward and ran before the sea on the rough 11 -mile passage back to Shoreham, reaching there at 0050 hrs. Due to the weather the life-boat was not rehoused until 1020 hrs.

that day.

The skipper of the yacht said afterwards: 'The seamanship displayed was magnificent because both boats were being violently tossed about in the darkness . . .'..