Night search TWO RED FLARES sighted by the Coastguards at Gorleston and Happisburgh at 0259 on Sunday, October 21, 1973, were reported to the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston honorary secretary. Some ten minutes later Khami, one of the first of the 44' Waveney steel fast afloat lifeboats, had cleared her moorings under the command of Second Coxswain David Bennington and headed northward from the harbour entrance towards the Winterton overfall area to search. The wind was north westerly, gale force 8, on a flood tide, and visibility was reduced in heavy rain squalls. High water at Great Yarmouth would be 0453.At 0400 Second Coxswain Bennington began firing parachute flares in the vicinity of North Cockle Buoy, but nothing was sighted by the lifeboat crew or by either of the fishing vessels, John Murray and Essex Shore, which were in the area.

Gorleston Coastguard then suggested a search area bounded to the north by North Cockle Buoy and Winterton overfalls and to the south by North Scroby and NE Cross Sand Buoys. The lifeboat spent an hour here, using parachute flares, and having reported no sighting to Gorleston Coastguard, was advised to search further southward.

Second Coxswain Bennington headed towards the Barley Picle area and, at 0420, sighted a light to the southward.

At 0500 he came up to the 45' converted naval pinnace Doris, lying head to wind and listing heavily. There were two crew aboard.

The wind at this time was north west, severe gale force 9, with 16-18' seas.

Second Coxswain Bennington took the lifeboat close to Doris to pass a tow line because he considered it too dangerous to attempt to transfer the crew, and they showed no inclination to leave the vessel. The tow was secured and, after an abortive attempt to tow the listing vessel in a very heavy following sea, Mr Bennington turned the lifeboat northward at reduced speed, advising the Coastguard of his intention to attempt the return passage north of the Scroby Bank.

Second Coxswain Bennington maintained a constant watch on the tow and, at 0630, saw that Doris had foundered and her crew were in the water, having cut the tow line before being thrown overboard. The searchlight was manned, and, with considerable skill, Mr Bennington manoeuvred the lifeboat astern, picking up both survivors at the first attempt.

Although wearing lifejackets, both men were shocked and cold and first aid was rendered to them by Crew Member Jeffrey Bishop while the lifeboat turned southward. Khami entered Gorleston it 0800 and the survivors were landed and taken to hospital after an extremely hazardous return passage during which the boat touched bottom. Despi'e working regularly in these waters, all crew members were extremely shaken by the severity of the conditions.The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum have been accorded to Acting Coxswain David Bennington.

Vellum service certificates were presented to Crew Members Colin Staples and Jeffrey Bishop..