Stranded under cliffs BRIXHAM COASTGUARD informed the deputy launching authority of Torbay lifeboat station at 1431 on Monday, August 23, 1976, that survivors from a wrecked speedboat were stranded on a beach at Forest Cove under overhanging cliffs.

The 52' Barnett class lifeboat, Princess Alexandra of Kent, on temporary duty at Torbay, was launched ten minutes later with Second Coxswain Keith Bower in command and headed for Forest Cove, some ten miles south towards the northern end of Start Bay.

Princess Alexandra of Kent arrived off the beach at 1600. High water would be at about 1730, but it was little more than a neap tide and the survivors were in no immediate danger; the upper reaches of the beach would obviously be above high water level. However, there were children among them and it was probable that they would be suffering from shock and some degree of exposure.

There was a moderate to fresh breeze, force 4 to 5, blowing into the cove from the east, accompanied by a moderate swell, producing rough seas and surf of about 4 to 5 feet. The lifeboat was anchored and veered down to within about 50 yards of the beach but could not get closer because of surrounding rocks. In the prevailing drought it was considered unwise to fire a rocket line ashore because of the danger of starting a cliff fire, nor did there appear to be anywhere for those on shore to secure the tail block.

John Dew, a professional diver who acts as a crew member whenever he is home on leave from Nigeria, volunteered to swim ashore with a veering line.

Removing his seaboots and protective trousers, but wearing his protective jacket and lifejacket, he did so and then hauled the breeches buoy ashore as it was veered out from the lifeboat on the other veering line.

Lifejackets were sent inshore with the breeches buoy, and John Dew put them on survivors before lifting them into the breeches buoy. There were six adults, eight children and an Alsatian dog to be brought off. John Dew paired one adult with one child in the breeches buoy, as far as possible, and then swam alongside to escort them to the lifeboat, making seven round trips in all; the veering line ashore was tended by the strongest man of the survivors' party.It was 1710 before the rescue from the beach was completed and, although the temperature was reasonably warm, John Dew was obviously working hard for an hour under very difficult conditions; the protective jacket kept him warm but made swimming harder and every time he tried to wade ashore the pockets, heavy with water, made it more difficult to get through the surf. By the time the last survivor (and the dog) were safely aboard the lifeboat, John Dew, a big man of strong physique, was exhausted.

The survivors were landed at Dartmouth and taken to hospital and the lifeboat returned to her moorings at 2010.For this service the bronze medal for gallantry has been awarded to Crew Member John Dew. Medal service certificates have been presented to Acting Coxswain Keith W. Bower, Deputy Coxswain Arthur L. V. Curnow, Motor Mechanic Stephen J. Bower, Emergency Mechanic Brian W. Gaunter and Crew Members Michael Kingston, Richard R. Brown and Michael B.

Smith..