ILBs SAVE 26 ON 7th August, 1971, when a local yacht club was holding a regatta, comprising 126 yachts, the wind was south south west force 4 to 5.

Then, at 12.35 p.m., the whole area was suddenly hit by a heavy squall and thunderstorm.

The wind became force 8, and dense rain reduced visibility to near zero as 90 of the yachts capsized. Both Southend-on-Sea inshore lifeboats, whose crews had been standing by, were launched and on their way to the scene within one minute.

In company with the motor vessels Thameserver and Swift VI, which were already at sea, the ILBs attended casualty after casualty, their crews handling their boats with the ultimate in skill and efficiency in the now rough seas and the very poor visibility. In the space of 28 minutes they rescued 26 people, and by 1.15 p.m. were back at their stations standing by for the next squall.

In the words of the Coastguard, the ILBs did a 'superb job' in finding all the casualties, pulling survivors from the water and putting them aboard trawlers, cruisers and other vessels and landing some on shore in the very difficult conditions prevailing.

Framed letters of thanks, signed by the former Chairman of the R.N.L.I., Admiral Sir Wilfrid Woods, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.O., are being sent to Helmsman Duncan Clark, crewmen Clifton Warry, Harry Pavitt, and Helmsman Dennis Webb and crewman Stephen Cox..