Hurricane launch NEWS THAT MV Merc Texco had a badly injured man to be landed led to the launching of the Dungeness lifeboat, Mabel E. Holland, a 42' Watson beach class, at 1658 on February 11.

The wind was south south west hurricane force. The sky was overcast and visibility poor. It was 2i hours after high water. The seas breaking on the beach were very large and the launchers had to be roped together when placing the skids to prevent their being washed away.On reaching the water's edge the lifeboat was between waves and stuck in the shingle. The next enormous wave broached her; however, as the sea ran back it swept the stern seawards.

Coxswain Tom Tart put the engines full astern and started to move off. The next wave again broached the lifeboat, throwing her heavily on to the beach; again the receding wave turned the boat allowing the coxswain to put the engines ahead and drive off. Course was then set for the casualty which was bearing north east.

At 1726 the lifeboat signalled Merc Texco to follow her closer inshore as the seas were enormous. It seemed that she was not able to comply, and so Peter Thomas, the first aider, volunteered to try to board. The wind was now in excess of 70 knots and the seas 50 to 60' high. The tide was setting north east at 1.5 knots.

Coxswain Tart ran the lifeboat alongside the lee of Merc Texco and Peter Thomas managed to scramble aboard.

The ship's head was paying off the whole time, making it even more dangerous for the lifeboat which had already suffered some damage to stanchions and bulwarks.

The stretcher was passed and Coxswain Tart decided to lie off until the patient was ready to be lowered. After instructing the captain to ensure that his ship's head remained south east, Coxswain Tart again managed to place the lifeboat alongside. All members of the crew then helped to receive the injured man on board. The patient was strapped down in the cabin and held by three members of the crew as the lifeboat was taking a severe buffeting in the appalling weather conditions.

At 1928 the lifeboat was beached at Dungeness and the patient handed over to the doctor and ambulance staff.

For this service, the silver medal for gallantry was awarded to Coxswain Tom Tart, the bronze medal to Assistant Mechanic Peter Thomas and the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum accorded to Second Coxswain AlbertHaines, Motor Mechanic Alec Clements and Crew Members William Richardson, Colin Haines and Arthur Oilier. The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were also accorded to 'The Launchers and Shore Helpers', some of whom were women, for their efficiency and dedication to duty under appalling conditions; a certificate was presented to each launcher and helper..