THE MASTER of the tug Superman asked Wells Coastguard for lifeboat assistance at 0450 on October 21, 1973; she was towing an ex-Admiralty MFV, Pilgrim, which, with two people on board, was in danger of breaking up; their position was 009°T 20* miles from Wells. The honorary secretary, being informed, instructed maroons to be fired and at 0515 the lifeboat, Ernest Tom Nethercoat.

a 37' Oakley built in 1965, was launched in Wells Harbour and set course for the harbour bar at reduced speed; the wind was west north west force 9 to 10 with very rough seas, particularly over thebar, and heavy waves were breaking over the boat. High water at Wells was 0136.

Low visibility precluded the use of any shore marks or leading lights and Coxswain David Cox was seriously concerned about the falling tide on the bar. However, at 0540 the lifeboat was safely clear and a course of 010°T was set to intercept the tow.

At 0616 Humber coast radio station advised the lifeboat that tug and tow were now in position 178°T 2-| miles from the East Dudgeon Buoy. By 0641 the lifeboat was abeam of the South-East Docking Buoy, having made 6 knots from the Wells Fairway Buoy with mountainous seas on the bow. Coxswain Cox had found great difficulty in maintaining course and the after wheelhouse was continually filled as seas broke over the entire boat.

A message came from Humber radio at 0648 that 202 Squadron, RAF Leconfield, had been asked to scramble a Sea King helicopter which should be over the tow's position by 0720.

At 0744 the two crew had been safely lifted from Pilgrim and at 0748 Wells honorary secretary authorised the Coastguard to advise the lifeboat to return to station. The helicopter returned to base with the two survivors.

The return passage in heavy quarter seas required considerable skill to avoid broaching and the drogue was run out to steady the boat. Due to the low water it was impossible for the lifeboat to return over the bar, and the gale force winds made beach recovery off the harbour mouth out of the question. CoxswainCox asked the honorary secretary for the tractor and carriage to be taken to Holkham Beach to the westward, where, despite very heavy surf, he drove the lifeboat on to the shore and the recovery was effected without damage to the boat or injury to crew and helpers.

The lifeboat returned to station at 1048.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain David Cox.

Vellum service certificates were presented to Second Coxswain Anthony Jordan, Acting Motor Mechanic Richard Abel, Assistant Mechanic Alan Cox and Crew Members Albert Warner, John Dickinson and David Court..