Rough tow A RED ROCKET sighted by Shoreham Coastguard, Sussex, eight miles due south of Littlehampton at 2.58 a.m. on the morning of August 5, 1973, led to the launching a quarter of an hour later of the lifeboat Dorothy and Philip Constant, which is a 42' Watson boat.

There was a south west gale force 8 to 9 blowing and a rough sea combined with rain and occasional squalls.

Having cleared the harbour mouth the lifeboat set course south west, making good a speed of 7 knots. At 4.20 parachute flares were fired which were answered by a red flare one and a halfmiles to the north. Ten minutes later another parachute flare was fired, answered by two red flares to the south.

Visbility was down to about 600 yards.

At 4.55 the lifeboat came close to the 30' yacht Albin Ballad, which was broached to under bare poles with sails flapping in the water and waves of 25' breaking over her. The wind was now south west severe gale 9. The three men aboard were seasick and completely exhausted, so two of the lifeboat crew, Mr K. Everard and Mr G. Tugwell, volunteered to board the yacht.

Coxswain John Fox approached from the north west, put the starboard bow of the lifeboat on to the port side of the yacht amidships, and the boarding party managed to scramble aboard as the two vessels rolled together and a tow was passed. A major factor in the decision to tow Albin Ballad was the problem of moving the exhausted crew in the prevailing weather conditions.

The lifeboat was only able to make 4 knots to the north east and at times her crew could not see the yacht. Ten minutes later, during an extremely squally period, the tow parted. The lifeboat manoeuvred into position and a second tow was passed.

When about two miles from the harbour the yacht over-ran the tow rope, riding down into the trough of a large wave and causing the bight of the tow to foul the keel and rudder of the yacht. But Coxswain Fox swung the lifeboat around and, by careful manoeuvering and expert seamanship, was able to clear the tow. The boarding party then rigged a drogue, using a sail bag, to hold the yacht back.

As Shoreham harbour was approached the severe gale from the south west was blowing over the ebbing tide close to low water. The sea at the harbour mouth was very confused and there was little water over the bar. Coxswain Fox, after taking time to appraise the situation and having ensured that the yacht's sail drogue was effective, decided to approach from the south east. At 7.25 Dorothy and Philip Constant entered harbour with Albin Ballad safely in tow.

A bar to his bronze medal has been awarded to Coxswain John Fox, the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum to Mr K. Everard and Mr G.

Tugwell and medal service certificates to the remainder of the crew, Mr K.

Voice, Mr J. Silverson, Mr K.

Petherwick and Mr M. Fox..