Capsized rowing boat TWO FISHERMEN of Newbiggin launched their ferrier rowing boat to go out to their keep-box moored offshore at about 1115 on Friday, January 31, 1975.

When only a short distance from the shore, some 50 to 60 yards, the rowing boat, hit by two successive large waves, was driven under stern first and capsized, throwing the men into the water.

The incident was seen by Coxswain George Dawson, Motor Mechanic Clifford Hancox and other fishermen.Clifford Hancox immediately ran back to the boathouse for the line throwing apparatus, as there was a chance that the line could reach the capsized boat.

Unfortunately it fell just short and the tide was carrying boat and men away to westward.

Coxswain Dawson, realising the urgency of the situation, fired the maroons at 1124, informing the honorary secretary and Coastguard of his action. Meanwhile, John Robinson, who had come down to the beach on hearing of the accident, launched his coble Margaret Lisle with the help of other fishermen.

Mary Joicey, Newbiggin's 37' Oakley lifeboat, was launched from her carriage at 1132, just after Margaret Lisle had entered the water and set off towards the capsized boat, some 150 yards offshore.

It was just turned low water. The wind was south west force 3. There was a moderate swell and the sea in the bay was rough and breaking inshore.

Although the seas on launching did not cause the lifeboat much trouble, John Robinson in Margaret Lisle had to take evasive action to avoid broaching. When he arrived at the capsized boat there was only one person still holding on to it.

To try to break the motion of the breaking seas while John Robinson and his crew recovered the survivor, Coxswain Dawson circled the casualty with the lifeboat. The man had been in the water about 20 minutes and was very exhausted. Bob Dawson gave him artificial respiration, while John Robinson, because of his concern for the survivor and sea conditions inshore, returned to the beach where an ambulance was waiting. The survivor was taken to hospital and recovered satisfactorily.

Coxswain Dawson continued his search further to westward. It was taking him closer inshore, where, with the shoals, the seas were very rough and breaking continually. On occasions the lifeboat was seen to be on her beam ends; she was being swept by breaking seas, was reported to have touched bottom twice and in these conditions close inshore there was always a risk of capsize. Despite these hazards Coxswain Dawson pressed on with the search with great skill and courage.

At 1138 a 'flash of yellow' was seen in the breaking seas. Coxswain Dawson managed to bring the lifeboat alongside this object which turned out to be the hood of the other casualty's oilskin. The man was completely submerged. He was taken aboard the lifeboat and immediately given artificial respiration.

At 1152 a helicopter from RAF Acklington arrived on the scene, winched the survivor from the lifeboat and took him direct to Ashington Hospital, where he was showing signs of breathing.

Unfortunately, however, he did not respond to further treatment and died.

The lifeboat returned to the beachat 1200 and was re-housed and ready for service at 1245.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain George Dawson and Skipper John Robinson. Vellum service certificates were presented to the crew of Margaret Lisle, George Dawson Robinson, William Twizell Dent, Robert Dawson, John Lisle Twizell and George Miller Dent, and to the crew of the lifeboat Mary Joicey, Motor Mechanic Clifford Hancox, T.

Martin, W. Smailes, R. Rowe, H.

Hepple and R. Wrigglesworth.

We regret to record that some time after this service John Twizell was killed in an accident at sea..