Two yachts in force 10 WHEN, at 2327 on September 20, 1973, the honorary secretary of Shoreham, Sussex, was told by the Coastguard that a yacht was in distress 20 miles south of Shoreham, the maroons were fired and Dorothy and Philip Constant, a 42' Watson lifeboat, launched at 2342.

There was a northerly gale blowing and a rough sea, combined with hail squalls and thunder. Visibility was moderate.

It was one hour before low water. On clearing the harbour a course was set for the casualty and communications established with MV Tagus, which was standing by the stricken yacht but unable to take off survivors due to the high wind and sea. Shortly afterwards communications became very bad due to an electrical storm, and the lifeboat having lost the lee of the land was soon in waves of 20'. At the height of the storm, lightning struck the water close to the lifeboat, illuminating the cabinand giving Assistant Mechanic Kenn Everard, who was holding the MF metal handset, a severe shock which threw him across the cabin.

At 0150, when close to the first reported position of the casualty, a yacht was sighted at 400 yards distance.

Coxswain John Fox tried to make contact with her crew, but with no success. He therefore asked MV Kenrix, which was in the area, to investigate this yacht while the lifeboat continued to the original casualty.

The wind was now gusting force 9 with a following sea in excess of 20' which caused the lifeboat to veer 30° either side of her intended course. Coxswain Fox did consider using the drogue but decided against it in order to maintain the best speed to the casualty.

At this time another yacht, Perseverence, reported that she was disabled, having lost her rudder. Shoreham lifeboat contacted her and ascertained that the crew were not in immediate danger.

Shortly after this HMS Lynx reported her position and offered to help, so Coxswain Fox asked her to stand by Perseverence.

At 0300 MV Tagus was sighted standing by the original casualty, the yacht Lugger. Lugger was lying bow to wind (N) and Coxswain Fox decided to try to 'run in and snatch' the survivors. The wind was now gusting force 10 with seas of 25' and lightning continuously illuminating the scene. The lifeboat approached from the north east on Lugger's starboard bow but had to put the engines full astern to avoid being forced on to the yacht's foredeck. A second successful attempt was made, with a girl and a man being lifted off as the lifeboat was knocked away. The yacht was left with her sea anchorstreamed, but she was eventually washed up and wrecked on the French coast.

The lifeboat then set course for Perseverence, but was only able to drive into the large seas at half speed. At 0353 HMS Lynx asked Perseverence to fire a red flare. This was spotted by the lifeboat which then fired a white flare and asked the yacht to report the bearing. The yacht was 1| miles to the north east. The lifeboat closed Perseverence and Coxswain Fox said he would take off the crew but would not consider towing. HMS Lynx agreed with the coxswain, adding that she was prepared to stand by the yacht until first light. The lifeboat then set course for Shoreham Harbour, arriving on station at 0915.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain John Fox, and vellum service certificates to commemorate their participation in this rescue were presented to Second Coxswain Kenneth Voice, Motor Mechanic Jack Silverson, Assistant Mechanic Kenn Everard and Crew Members Keith Petherwick and David Wainwright..