Yacht aground THE POLICE informed Barrow coxswain, Robert Charnley, at 2300 on August 24, 1974, that an independent source had reported the sighting of a red flare north of Walney Island. They were advising HM Coastguard, who would be investigating further. Coxswain Charnley put crew members on stand-by.

On hearing again from the Coastguard at 2330 the assembly signal was made by the Coxswain. Herbert Leigh, a 46' 9" Watson class lifeboat, launched at 2340. The wind was south south west force 3 to 4, with a slight sea and moderate visibility; it was H hours before low water. Having been told that the exact position of the flares was unknown but was believed to be off the north end of Walney Island, near Lowsey Point, Coxswain Charnley made a course for the entrance of the River Duddon.

During the passage the weather and visibility deteriorated. The wind increased to south south west force 7 to 8and visibility was poor in heavy rain.

Navigation was by dead reckoning, Herbert Leigh not being fitted with DF and the radar having failed shortly after launching. During the passage Coxswain Charnley fired white parachute flares and asked the Auxiliary Coastguard, stationed at Walney, to give him the bearing of these flares to help him with his navigation.

At 0210 the casualty was sighted right ahead, about 2 cables from the lifeboat.

She was aground about 1\ miles north west of Lowsey Point. Seas were breaking over both the lifeboat and the casualty. The wind was still south south west force 7 to 8, with rough seas and poor visibility; the state of the tide was one hour to flood.

Coxswain Charnley, in assessing the situation, and having been in shallow water during the approach, at times with only 6' under the keel, decided to anchor the lifeboat to windward, veer down and pass a tow line to the yacht. He thought it too dangerous to attempt to go alongside and take off the people on board.

Following anchoring and veering down, a heaving line was passed to the yacht and then a tow line. These were secured and the lifeboat towed the yacht into deeper water.

It was decided to tow the yacht to Barrow Docks. In the weather prevailing the lifeboat was only able to go at one-third speed and the passage took some four hours. Lifeboat and tow arrived at Barrow Docks at 0610 and the lifeboat returned to station and was rehoused at 0700.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain Robert Charnley.

Vellum service certificates were presented to Second Coxswain Ernest Diamond, Motor Mechanic Frank Moore, Assistant Motor Mechanic Albert Benson and Crew Members Peter Charnley, Thomas Keenan, Paul Cochrane and Anthony Barber..