RIG SERVICE IN 60 KNOT GALE AROUND 1.30 p.m. on 19th October, 1971, it was learnt that the crew of the drilling rig William Allpress were in need of assistance. The rig was anchored J mile off Rustington, Sussex, and had been in this position since the previous Friday while awaiting the services of a tug to start passage to Portsmouth. However, the severe wind and sea conditions prevailing had prevented this movement and the crew had been without food or sleep for three days. All were suffering from severe sea sickness.

The Shoreham life-boat Dorothy and Philip Constant launched at 2.10 p.m. into a very heavy south westerly sea and swell. The wind was recorded by the Coastguard as 43 to 45 knots (force 9) from the south west, with frequent gusts approaching 60 knots (force 10-11).

Visibility was generally very poor with mist patches and continual heavy rain showers.

At this time the life-boat estimated her position as three miles west of Shoreham harbour entrance and about If miles offshore, making about six knots over the ground. The visibility was estimated as being down to 10 yards at sea level.

At 3.30 p.m. the life-boat asked the Coastguard for a check on the position of the rig.

The life-boat estimated that she was right on course and about one miles from the rig. This estimate proved to be extremely accurate because at 3.35 p.m. the Coastguard advised that the life-boat had been sighted by the crew of the rig about J mile away. Although at this time there was a slight improvement in the visibility, another three or four minutes passed before the rig was sighted by the life-boat at a distance estimated by Coxswain John Fox to be about half a cable.

Previously the Coastguard had passed much valuable information to the life-boat about several projections from various parts of the rig which presented hazards in going alongside but, nevertheless, the coxswain very prudently decided to circle the rig once to assess the best method of approach before attempting to take off any of the crew. The crew of the rig were told of this and were instructed to stand by wearing life-jackets.

The casualty was lying to her two forward anchors, heading roughly south, and althoughvery heavy seas were breaking over her there was a slight lee provided along her port side.

The coxswain decided to put only the starboard bow of the life-boat alongside the port quarter of the rig, as he felt sure that the life-boat would certainly be thrown against one or more of the many heavy projections if he attempted to go alongside any other part of the casualty.

From all available fenders on board, the lifeboat crew made up one large bow fender which was rigged over the starboard bow, and at the right moment the coxswain put the bow alongside and with the engines running full ahead kept the life-boat alongside long enough for four of the five rig crew members to be pulled on board by the life-boat crew on the foredeck.

The life-boat was pushed away by a heavy sea before the last man, the master, could be brought on board, but the same manoeuvre was repeated and he was brought safely on board just as a particularly heavy sea lifted the bow of the life-boat completely over and clear of the deck of the rig.

Coastguard Shoreham were advised that the crew had been taken off at 3.44 p.m. and the life-boat headed back to Shoreham with torrential rain reducing visibility to about a boat's length. Navigation was again by dead reckoning and soundings and the life-boatcontinually advised Shoreham of her estimated position, courses steered and times of course alterations. The shore east of Worthing was sighted briefly on one occasion but apart from this nothing was seen until the Shoreham breakwater was sighted at 5.10 p.m. when the life-boat altered course to run straight into the harbour. She reached her station five minutes later.

The Committee of Management has awarded the bronze medal of the Institution for gallantry to Coxswain Fox, and awarded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum to assistant Mechanic Kenneth Everard who was acting as motor mechanic on this service, the permanent mechanic being on annual leave.

Medal service certificates will be presented to the remainder of the crew, R. Pellant, J. Silverson, K. Voice, G. Tugwell and K. Petherwick..