MR. SIDNEY HOOK, a local pilot and member of the inshore rescue scheme at Teignmouth, Devon, has been awarded the thanks of the R.N.L.I. inscribed on vellum, and Mr. Samuel G. Hook and Mr. James P. Boyne have been presented with vellum service certificates for the rescue of three men from a capsized R.N. Gemini boat on the bar at Teignmouth on 4th March, 1969.

Mr. Hook, with his brother, Mr. Samuel Hook, and Mr. Boyne boarded themotor pleasure boat Restless at her mooring and at 11 a.m., five minutes after the boat capsized, made for the casualty.

There was a strong east north easterly wind and a heavy confused broken sea in the vicinity of the very shallow bar area. The weather was overcast, there was rain and snow and it was extremely cold.

Mr. Sidney Hook was aware that there was barely enough water on the bar for the Restless, which draws three feet. By driving her at full speed he managed to get her over the bar despite a severe buffeting and breaking seas. The boat was lifted by one particularly heavy wave and took the ground heavily on the starboard bilge.

BOAT AND MEN SAVED Once clear in deeper water, Mr. Sidney Hook approached the three men in the water from seaward and, in the face of heavy sea conditions, his crew managed to take the survivors aboard. A second approach was made and the capsized boat taken in tow.

It was not possible to return the Gemini boat or the survivors to H.M.S.

Iveston as sea conditions were too bad. Another Gemini boat was lowered from the naval vessel and the casualty and survivors were transferred by this boat to Iveston.

On the homeward journey over the bar Restless again touched bottom but, with the wind fair, this was not as heavy as on the outward journey. She returned to harbour at 12.30 p.m..