Stranded on rocks ON HEARING FROM BARRY COASTGUARD, at 2220 on Saturday, September 13, 1975, that red flares had been reported to the west of Brean Down, the honorary secretary of Weston-super-Mare gave instructions for the maroons to be fired, and at 2231 the McLachlan ILB A504 was launched; her crew were Helmsman Julian Morris and Crew Members Bernard Watts and Ian Watts.

The wind was north by east force 9 and the sea rough. It was a very dark night with overcast sky and squally showers. The visibility was good but moderate in showers. It was three hours before high water and the tidal stream setting northwards at about 2 knots, aggravating the rough sea state with wind against tide.

Before launching, the honorary secretary had instructed the helmsman to go to a point mid-way along the north side of the Brean Down peninsula and search westward. The ILB set course down wind at maximum speed and wheii half a mile off the Down an irregular flashing light was sighted close inshore about one point on the port bow.The time was 2241. Course was altered and the ILB closed to within 60 to 70 yards and, with the aid of the Aldis lamp, it was established that the light was from a local motor boat stranded on rocks.

The boat was lying bows east with seas breaking over her. People could be seen standing in the water and on a rocky ledge 5 feet above sea level behind the boat, at the base of a sheer cliff. Using the Aldis lamp and a parachute flare it was seen that the boat was ashore in a small cove bounded by sheer cliffs that offered no escape route.

It was estimated that the tide would rise about 14 feet and that those ashore were in grave danger of being drowned.

Helmsman Morris decided to attempt a rescue The sea close inshore was rough and confused due to the backwash from the cliffs. An eddy tidal stream was running westwards at about 1 knot. The ILB was taken in to within 10 yards of the casualty; people ashore could be heard shouting for the boat to stand off because of submerged rocks and she frequently took the ground in the rough, confused breaking seas. The ILB was turned round and stood out to sea.

Helmsman Morris anchored the ILB 20 to 30 yards off the casualty, up-tide, and veered down with both engines raised but running. As the boat set too far westward, the anchor was recovered and dropped further to the east. The second attempt was more successful.

The ILB, felt to be striking the rocks quite frequently, was veered to within 20 feet of the casualty and a heaving line thrown ashore to the survivors. Instructions were passed for the line to be secured around the waist of a survivor and he was pulled into the water and taken aboard. Four men were rescued in this way; the fifth man, the owner of the boat, managed to wade out to the ILB.

All the survivors were safely on board by 2305. The boat was pulled out,engines lowered and anchor recovered, and Barry Coastguard were advised that the survivors would be landed at the Ferry Stage, Uphill. The ILB entered the River Axe and the five men were put f.shore at 2320; they were met by the local Coastguard. Five minutes later, after re-securing the boat's gear, the ILB set out, at reduced speed, into the rough seas and a strong head wind.

Difficulty was experienced in recovering the ILB because of the very rough weather and because direct communication was impossible between boat and shore helpers. It was unsafe for the helpers to stand on the slip, and messages had to be passed via Barry Coastguard to the boathouse. The ILB was eventually taken out of the water at 0020 and re-housed by 0035.

For this service the bronze medal for gallantry was awarded to Helmsman Julian Morris. The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Crew Members Bernard Watts and Ian Watts..