No. 7 Life-boat Area DIFFICULT RESCUE FROM ROCK THE Pwllheli life-boat and the Abersoch ILB, stationed on the Caernarvonshire coast, answered a call on 25th June, 1972, when two men in a motor boat were reported overdue.

The search started when, at 11.20 p.m. on 24th June, the coastguard at Porthdinllaen told the honorary secretary at Pwllheli that two men in a dinghy with an outboard engine had left Hell's Mouth for Abersoch and had not arrived. Concern was felt for their safety, and the Pwllheli life-boat, Katherine and Virgoe Buckland, was launched at 11.40 in a strong south westerly wind with a rough sea.

The life-boat made for the area and started searching off Tudwal's Island and along the coast from Abersoch to Hell's Mouth. Nothing was sighted and the search was called off at 3 a.m. on 25th June until first light, the lifeboat being moored at Abersoch for the night.

She started searching again at 4.15 in worsening weather conditions. Visibility was reduced with driving rain and there was a heavy swell running.

The life-boat searched the same area of coastline and at 5.15 two men were sighted on a rock under the cliffs on the west side of Cilan Head. The life-boat positioned herself up wind of the casualties, the anchor was dropped, and the boat veered down to about 100 feet from the rock, using the full scope of the anchor cable plus extra length gained by bending on a 2-inch nylon securing line. During this operation the breeches buoy was rigged and made ready for use.

At 5.25 the Abersoch ILB was launched to assist the Pwllheli life-boat. An attempt was made to fire the line-throwing gun but the trigger mechanism was found to be jammed.

While attempting to effect a repair to the gun the Abersoch ILB came alongside the life-boat and received a situation report.

After a brief discussion it was decided to veer the ILB in towards the casualty, using a veering line from the life-boat and the ILB going astern on her engines. Two life-jackets and a breeches buoy were passed into the ILB, and Pwllheli life-boat crew member Mr. Roy Morris joined the crew of the Abersoch ILB to assist with the rescue. The ILB veered down to within 10 to 15 feet of the casualties while the life-boat discharged storm oil in an effort to subdue the waves.

The heavy breaking swell and rough sea together with the backlash from the sheer cliff face made the situation extremely dangerous for the crew of the ILB. The Abersoch boat's anchor line was disconnected and, used as a heaving line, was thrown to the marooned men who succeeded in grabbing it on the second attempt. To this line the casualties bent on another line which they had salvaged from the wreck of their dinghy. The life-jackets and breeches buoy were passed to the survivors andinstructions on their use shouted across to them.

The other end of the ILB anchor cable was wisely secured to the life-boat's veering line as an added precaution by Mr. Morris in case the ILB became separated.

The first survivor was instructed to climb into the breeches buoy and at the right moment jumped on to the crest of a rising wave and was pulled clear. The ILB engine was stopped and as the casualty was being pulled towards the inflatable the life-boat crew pulled it clear of the area. Once the first survivor was dragged into the ILB the boat was repositioned and the operation repeated for the second man.

At 6.38 both survivors and Pwllheli crew members were transferred to the Pwllheli life-boat and given rum, hot soup and dry clothing. Both boats returned independently to their respective stations. The survivors were landed at Pwllheli.

The survivors said that their outboard motor had broken down when approaching Gilan Head and the dinghy was set down on to the cliffs. Using a paddle they had managed to reach the rock and scramble on to it. Their boat was lifted on to the rock and swept into the gulley between the rock and cliff face. According to the survivors, it was sucked under and smashed to pieces. They were nearly exhausted when they were rescued and did not think they could have survived much longer on the rock.

The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum have been accorded to Acting Coxswain W. McGill and Crew Member Morris (Pwllheli), and to Helmsman Barrie McGill and Crew Member Michael Bosley (Abersoch). The following members of the Pwllheli life-boat were presented with certificates to commemorate their participation in the service: Acting 2nd Coxswain/ Mechanic Owen Roberts, Assistant Mechanic Tom Jones, Acting Second Assistant Mechanic M. Faulkner and Crew Members Brian Green and R. Roberts.

No. 6 Life-boat Area LIFE-BOAT AND TUG IN HARD TOW THE Falmouth, Cornwall, life-boat on 8th August, 1972, following the sighting of a redflare at about 3.40 a.m., saved a schooner and 10 people.

The wind was south westerly, force 6-7, with a rough sea and heavy swell. There were sharp rain squalls. The relief life-boat The Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7), which is a 46-foot Watson cabin life-boat, slipped her moorings at 4.10 with a crew of seven. After a passage of nine miles in a rough following sea, a red flare was sighted about two miles ahead at 5.14.

Then at 5.48 the casualty was sighted in a position mile south of Dodman Point, and at 6.01 the life-boat passed a tow line which, however, broke almost immediately under the strain of the lifting seas.

The schooner Mina was at anchor heading south west with her rudder seriously damaged.

She was rolling and pitching heavily and frequently putting her bowsprit under. The m.v.

Sussex was standing by about a mile to the south east.

The weather had deteriorated further, the wind was south westerly force 8-9, with a rough sea and heavy swell. Visibility was very poor with heavy rain squalls.

Coxswain Walter Brown considered the Mina too large a yacht to tow in the heavy sea and at 6.29 the assistance of the tug Orinoco was requested. This was acknowledged by the tug giving an ETA in three hours.

At 7.28 the Mina anchor cable parted and she was in danger of drifting on to the lee shore under Dodman Point. She was now heading north east, having turned under the windage of her mainmast. Coxswain Brown considered there was no time to lose and approached the Mina on her starboard side. As the life-boat came alongside she ranged some 10 feet up and down on the Mina. Eight members of the crew, including four girls, were nevertheless transferred to the life-boat, leaving two members who elected to stay. The life-boat's port rubbing piece and bow pudding sustained damage.

A tow line was again passed to the Minds stern, and with her engine assisting, the life-boat maintained this position off Dodman Point at 8 o'clock. The confused sea in the area and the backwash off the cliffs made towing almost impossible for the life-boat, and the tow line parted at 8.08 to be reconnected almost immediately. The life-boat held this position, making slight headway to the south east, for about 1 hours.

At 9.45 the tug Orinoco arrived on the scene and the tow was transferred 1J miles south south east of Dodman Point. The m.v. Sussex then left, having stood by and assisted in communication between the life-boat and Falmouth Coastguard.

With the Mina under tow by the Orinoco and the Falmouth life-boat escorting, passage was made towards Falmouth. At 12.10 p.m. the Falmouth life-boat returned two crew members back aboard the Mina to assist in pumping operations. Harbour was reached at 3.30.

For this service Coxswain Brown has been awarded the Institution's bronze medal for gallantry. The following were presented with certificates to commemorate their participation in the service: 2nd Coxswain Arthur C. West, Motor Mechanic Vivian D. Pentecost, Assistant Mechanic Ronald F. Twydle, and Crew Members Barry J. Timmins, James T. Painter and Ronald Pentecost.

No. 5 Life-boat Area GROUNDED YACHT THE Eastney, Hampshire, ILB on 18th June, 1972, went to the aid of the yacht Florya and rescued three people.

At 1 p.m. on that day Hayling Island Coastguard reported that a large yacht was standing into danger off the East Winner Bank at the entrance to Langstone harbour. Shortly after this message the yacht grounded on the eastern side of the East Winner and fired red flares.

From among the duty crew who were already standing by, the honorary secretary selected the three most experienced crew members, and McLachlan ILB 18-008 slipped her moorings at 1.5 and made at full speed towards the Langstone bar buoy.

The weather was overcast with drizzle and only moderate visibility. The wind was south west force 7-8, gusting at times to force 9. A rough sea was running, especially in the vicinity of the Langstone bar, and the speed was reduced accordingly when the ILB left the harbour entrance.

The ILB cleared the southern end of the East Winner and rounded up on a northerly course towards the casualty, which was about one cable off shore. Better progress was made in the slight lee provided by the bank against the south westerly wind.

The yacht, which was identified as the Florya, a 29 foot g.r.p. sloop with a crew of three, was lying to ground tackle, was rolling heavily and pounding on the bank of the rising tide. The ILB approached close to the casualty at 1.40 and then grounded herself quite heavily when about 30 yards from the yacht. She was manoeuvred off by using her engines without sustaining any damage.

On instructions from the helmsman of the ILB two crew members from the yacht veered down towards the life-boat in an inflatable dinghy and were taken safely on board. Unfortunately,while the dinghy was being hauled back to the yacht, the veering line parted and the third man was unable to retrieve the dinghy. As the tide was making, the helmsman decided to make a further attempt at going alongside the casualty.

This attempt was successful, and with the bow of the ILB momentarily hard against the quarter of the yacht, the third man was hauled on board.

Hayling Island Coastguard were then advised that all members of the yacht's crew had been taken safely on board and that the ILB was returning to her station. The helicopter from No. 22 Squadron, R.A.F. Thorney Island, which had been hovering but was unable to assist owing to the danger of fouling the yacht's mast, also returned to its base.The ILB was subjected to a difficult and very uncomfortable return passage, especially while working clear of the bank and crossing Langstone bar. Over a period of about 10 minutes several heavy seas were taken aboard and twice the ILB was completely filled, although on each occasion the water was cleared quickly through the freeing ports. After crossing the bar the sea conditions improved and the ILB reached her station at 2.45.

The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Helmsman John Fletcher, and two members of his crew, Mr.

Francis Thomas Hawkins and Mr. Graham Jewell, each received a certificate to commemorate their part in the rescue.

was made fast round the casualty, the other end being secured round the rock. The casualty was lowered down to the beach.

Mr. James lowered himself on the rope to a position below the overhanging rock and retrieved the casualty's transistor radio. The radio was still playing pop music. Then Mr. James returned to the overhanging rock, disconnected the line, and returned to the beach.

A framed letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Commander F. R. H. Swann, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., has been sent to Helmsman James.

No. 7 Life-boat Area No. 7 Life-boat Area MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK THE sighting of a man in distress on Culver Cliff near Minehead, Somerset, on 2nd July, 1972, led to a rescue by the local ILB. He was first seen standing on a small overhanging rock, about 50 feet up, waving a towel. The man's transistor radio continued to play pop music.

At 11.15 a.m. ILB crew member Mr. Kevin Escott was advised by a local boatman that a man had been sighted half-way up Culver Cliff, about half a mile west of the life-boat station.

The ILB was launched with a crew of four into a force 4, north westerly wind and moderate sea.

The ILB went at full speed to the area off Culver Cliff and the position of the casualty was pointed out by the first informant, Mr. Edward Slade, who had returned to the scene in his boat.

Crew members David James and Christopher Rundle landed on the beach, and Mr. James who was in command, instructed the ILB to stand off and wait for further instructions.

Mr. James scaled the cliff face, which consisted of loose chalk and grass, and reached the casualty who appeared to be in good health but refused to climb down. Instructions were passed down to Mr. Rundle to recall the ILB and remove the anchor line.

The anchor line was passed ashore and Mr.

Rundle attempted to climb up with it to the overhanging rock but was unable to do so. Mr.

James descended and took the rope up the cliff to the casualty. The lower end of the rope was passed down to Mr. Rundle, a bight of the rope TROUBLE ON THE BAR THE ability to be able to anticipate a dangerous situation is useful at sea and this was demonstrated at Cardigan on 13th August, 1972, when the local ILB was called out before she was actually needed.

At about 11.30 a.m. on that day Mr. J. W.

Marr, the deputy launching authority, afloat in his motor fishing vessel, saw that the Cardigan bar was beginning to look potentially dangerous.

Several boats were in the vicinity. Anticipating trouble, Mr. Marr called out the ILB by firing distress flares, and positioned his fishing boat off the groyne.

The ILB came alongside at 12.15 and was told to stand by to give assistance if wanted. At this moment the yacht Hi-Hope, trying to enter the river, capsized on the bar in very confused water.

The ILB closed the yacht and rescued the owner and made towards Poppit. Shortly after leaving Hi-Hope the crew members of the ILB became aware that the boat was holed forward.

A second boat, Tyn-Tuc, capsized close by Mr. Marr's boat, throwing four people into the water. Mr. Marr tried to recall the ILB by firing more distress flares and rockets and his crew member, Mr. Brian Francis, went into the water to give help to the crew of the second capsized boat.

The ILB landed the first survivor and returned in answer to the distress signals. Her progress was, however, slow due to the amount of water she had shipped. On crossing the bar the ILB ran into very confused water and was capsized by a large steep falling sea, being turned stern over bow. Crew members V.

Evans and R. Evans climbed back on to the upturned boat and remained with her untilrescued by Mr. M. Nugent, crew member, in his own boat. He also took the ILB in tow.

The four people in the water along with Mr.

Francis from Mr. Marr's boat were picked up by Mr. Gordon Matthews in his cruiser Pat and landed on the beach.

The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Mr. Francis. Framed letters of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the R.N.L.I., Commander F. R. H. Swann, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., have been sent to Messrs Evans and Mr. Marr; and a letter of thanks signed by the Director, Captain Nigel Dixon, R.N. each to Mr. Nugent and Mr. Matthews.

No. 1 Life-boat Area FISHERMEN SAVED A shore-boat case, which took place on 3rd December, 1971, at Kinlochbervie, Argyll, has been reported to the R.N.L.I., two people having been saved from the motor boat Venture thanks to a considerate fellow fisherman.

Two fishing boats went out at about 8 a.m.: the Venture, manned by Mr. J. A. Morrison, and his brother Mr. L. Morrison, to fish on the north side of the Loch, while the Loch Innes continued round the headland to haul lobster pots.

The wind was south west force 7 with a moderate sea and a moderate swell creating a considerable amount of motion in the loch.

At about 9.15 the skipper and owner of the Loch Innes Mr. Cathel Campbell, with his crew, Mr. R. Morrison and Mr. A. Munro, realised that the weather conditions were deteriorating and ceased hauling. Knowing that the Venture was fishing near by they decided to check that all was well before returning to harbour. Wind conditions were now south west force 8 with a rough sea and moderate swell.

On rounding the point there was no sign of the Venture and it was at first presumed that the boat had returned to harbour. However, at 9.30 the crew of the Loch Innes sighted fish boxes and other gear floating in the water. A closer inspection of the area followed and the two Morrison brothers were sighted clinging to a life-buoy. They were drifting and being blown close inshore where the cliffs are steep-to. At the foot the sea swell was extremely dangerous and confused.

Skipper Cathel Campbell did not hesitate in taking his boat close inshore. Extreme difficulty was experienced in bringing the boat alongside the men in the water: the confused sea and swell smashing on the rocks and against the steep shore created a dangerous sea state, coupled with the backwash from the shore.The two survivors were taken aboard the Loch Innes. Both men had been in the water for about 20 minutes and were showing signs of extreme exhaustion. A message was radioed ashore requesting a doctor, and the casualties were taken into Kinlochbervie harbour.

The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Skipper Campbell. His crew, Mr. Morrison and Mr. Munro, each received a certificate for their part in the rescue.

No. 6 Life-boat Area COXSWAIN DIVES FOR BOY IN a life-saving service at St. Ives, Cornwall, on 26th July, 1972, Coxswain Thomas Cocking, who had been taken to the scene by motor launch ahead of the ILB, dived overboard to assist a boy who was in distress.

The operation started when the St. Ives Coastguard told the honorary secretary that a boy was in the sea off St. Ives Head. The ILB crew were alerted by telephone by Coxswain Cocking at 11.11 a.m. and the ILB was launched at 11.15 with two men.

Immediately following the alerting of the ILB crew Coxswain Cocking ran down to the harbour and, seeing the motor launch Silver Star alongside the quay, requested the owner, Mr R.Pollard, to take him to the scene of the incident.

Silver Star slipped from the quay and took only a few minutes to cover the J mile to the casualty.

The boy was found clinging to a rock, which was awash. He was having difficulty in maintaining a hold in the surge of the ground sea. Unable to get closer with the Silver Star, and with the ILB not yet on the scene, Coxswain Cocking dived overboard and swam 120 yards to the boy.

On reaching him he helped the boy to a safer position to await the arrival of the ILB. Both men were finally taken aboard the ILB which returned to St Ives at 11.28.

A framed letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Commander F. R. H. Swann, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., has been sent to Coxswain Cocking.

No. 6 Life-boat Area A CLIFF SAVE AT 2.25 p.m. on 10th June, 1972, the coxswain of the Clovelly, North Devon, life-boat was advised by a member of the public that two men were trapped on the cliff face below Gallant Rock to the west of Clovelly. Gesturing hand signals from the shore attracted the attention of the Clovelly crew, who were aboard life-boat 44.001 at the mooring, and two volunteers, Boat Mechanics R. G. Tanner and P. J. Croft, landed in the ILB, also on temporary duty at the station, to investigate.

The wind was north west, force 3, and the ILB took only two minutes to land Mr. Tanner and Mr. Croft, who were equipped with a nylon line. Then the boat returned to life-boat 44.001 to report the situation.

The two men were trapped on a ledge some 20 feet above the beach but due to rock falls found their footholds insecure. This prevented them from climbing down. They were in no danger, however, from the rising tide as the high water mark was some 20 yards from the base of the cliff.

Mr. Tanner and Mr. Croft, wearing working clothes and seaboots, were not dressed for the work in hand, but they went ahead with the rescue. They scaled a steep dirt track to a height of 100 feet, crossed the cliff at this point, which is covered in scrub and undergrowth, and arrived at a point directly above the casualties. Using a nylon line secured at this point they climbed down the cliff and helped the two men to safety to the beach below.

Framed letters of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Commander F. R. H. Swann, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., have been sent to Boat Mechanics Tanner and Croft..