Danish coaster capsized RAME HEAD Coastguard reported to Plymouth deputy launching authority at 1403 on January 16 that the Danish coaster Merc Enterprise was in serious difficulties 23 miles south of Plymouth breakwater, and that her crew were abandoning ship. Salcombe lifeboat had been advised to launch but weather conditions prevented her crossing the bar. Helicopters were taking off from RNAS Culdrose.

Plymouth DLA agreed to launch provided the coxswain did not consider weather conditions too severe. A most intense storm was blowing from the south west, with winds of hurricane force 11 to 12. It had been building up for hours and was now blowing against the full run of the ebb tide. There was a very rough sea inside the Plymouth breakwater and visibility was half a mile. The sky was overcast with driving, squally rain. Seas of phenomenal character could therefore be expected as soon as the lifeboat left the comparative shelter of the breakwater.

Immediately he was informed of the situation, however, Coxswain John Dare requested the maroons to be fired and, 10 minutes later, at 1417, with a full crew on board, Plymouth lifeboat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse, a 52' Barnett boat, left Millbay Docks.

As the lifeboat cleared the eastern end of the breakwater at 1435 she met the full force of the hurricane. Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse was continually swept by heavy breaking seas as she crossed Tinker Shoal, and Coxswain Dare found himself and the crew up to their waists in water in the wheelhouse.

He ordered all the crew into the shelter of the after cabin.

The crew confirm that they have never imagined such seas and Coxswain Dare and Motor Mechanic Cyril Alcock both admitted that they themselves were frightened.

At this time Coxswain Dare received an anxious enquiry from the DLA as to whether he thought the weather conditions were too bad for him to continue. His unhesitating and bluntreply was 'Negative, we are continuing'.

Two minutes later Rame Head Coastguard told the lifeboat that the casualty had capsized and the helicopters were recovering survivors.

Another message came at 1520 to say that the helicopters had picked up seven survivors and a Russian trawler, Leningrad, was in the area.

At 1627 the lifeboat received news that Leningrad had recovered four more survivors but that seven were still missing. On being informed three minutes later by the Coastguard that the helicopter crews were reporting conditions in the area were so bad that they advised the lifeboat to return, Coxswain Dare replied, 'As there are still seven missing we are continuing'.

The Coastguard passed definite recall orders to the lifeboat at 1643, saying that these had come from DLA and the inspector. Coxswain Dare had now arrived in the area of search, 26 miles due south of Rame Head, and, seeing no signs of any survivors, and assuming that the inspector referred to in the Coastguard's message was the inspector of lifeboats, he decided to comply with the recall and return to base. The search was officially called off at 1720.

Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse escorted Leningrad with her survivors to the safety of Plymouth Sound and then stood by while the pilot was put aboard, at 1940. The lifeboat then entered Millbay Docks and, after refuelling, returned to her moorings at 2020.

Coxswain Dare states that this was the worst sea he has ever experienced, and the same statement was made by the skipper of the Russian trawler.

The lifeboat crew included three reserve members and Coxswain Dare reports that all the crew bore themselves with distinction throughout, as, indeed, did the lifeboat herself.

For this service the bronze medal for gallantry was awarded to Coxswain John Dare. Medal service certificates were presented to Motor Mechanic Cyril Alcock, Assistant Mechanic Patrick Marshall, Crew Member Michael Keane and Reserve Crew Members David Dinham, Frank Parker and Douglas Jago..