Rough ride in race A SMALL BOAT was sighted off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, on September 10, 1972, with engine broken down and crew waving. This led to the Bridlington ILB being sent as low water on a spring tide at Flamborough prevented the lifeboat from being launched.

Near Flamborough Head, the sea conditions became worse as a northerly swell, which was the relic of a northerly gale the preceding day, made itself felt.

Then in the main tidal stream off Flamborough Head the wind against the three knot spring tide produced a vicious short, steep sea with the waves averaging 10 to 12 feet high with breaking crests. The Flamborough Race extended from half a mile off-shore to three miles off-shore and about one mile from north to south under the prevailing conditions.

The position of the casualty at 11.45 was given as two miles east of Flamborough Head drifting north. At noon the ILB was sighted from the CG mobile on the head. At this stage speed had to be reduced to about 12 knots because of the sea conditions. Visibility from the ILB was poor in the rough conditions and the CG mobile directed the ILB towards the casualty using the VHF radio link.

As the ILB entered the race, speed had to be further reduced because of the severe conditions. At 12.09 p.m. the casualty was sighted from the ILB. Part of the cabin top was broken away and the crew of three were huddled in the bottom. The ILB closed the casualty and the survivors were quickly transferred to the ILB.

During this operation a great deal of water was shipped by both ILB and casualty. The casualty had a painter rigged from forward and during the transfer operation this was quicklymade fast to a towing bridle in the ILB and an attempt made to tow the casualty ashore.

At 12.14 a.m. the return journey started and slow progress was made until the ILB cleared the race, when speed was increased. As the survivors were suffering from shock and exposure they were wrapped in polythene survival blankets. Two of them had lost feeling in some of their limbs and Crewman K. Bentley massaged them in an effort to restore circulation.

The casualty, a 12-foot GRP motor boat with an outboard engine, on anchoring in the tideway to fish, had found that her bows were being pulled under by the strong tide. The crew cut the anchor line and the tide carried them into the race.

Before being rescued they had been thrown on to their beam ends several times and the cabin top carried away.

At one time two of the crew had been thrown overboard.

Framed letters of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Commander F. R. H. Swann, QBE, RNVR, were sent to the crew of the ILB, Coxswain John King and Mr. Bentley..