Single-handed sloop A RED FLARE was observed about three miles west of Needles Coastguard lookout at 1240 on Tuesday, October 5,1976.

A helicopter from HMS Daedalus, Leeon- Solent, took off to investigate and at 1300 found the casualty to be the 35' sloop Snowgoose with a single, exhausted occupant.

Following a request from HM Coastguard to the deputy launching authority of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, lifeboat station, the assembly signal was made at 1255 and eight minutes later the 46' Watson* Canadian Pacific, on temporary duty at Yarmouth, slipped her moorings. Second coxswain John Cook was in command as the coxswain was on leave.

In the comparative lee of the Isle of Wight, the wind was southerly gale force 8 with moderate seas. The tide was ebbing, it was raining heavily and visibility was only fair.The helicopter directed the lifeboat to the casualty, which was sighted at 1340.

By 1346 Canadian Pacific was lying close to Snowgoose. Several attempts to secure a line aboard failed; the singlehanded skipper was exhausted and the weather was deteriorating rapidly. The wind was now south south west severe gale force 9 with heavy rain, producing very rough seas and poor visibility. A wave recorder close to the position of the casualty recorded maximum wave height at this time to be 36 feet.

In view of the violent motion and the reluctance of the skipper to abandon ship, Acting Coxswain Cook decided to escort the yacht eastwards in the hope of finding calmer water in which to effect a tow or take off the man if he decided to leave his boat.

Snowgoose continued to drift east north east towards the shore escorted by the lifeboat. At 1535 when some six cables off Hordle Cliffs, with the weather continuing to worsen, the skipper agreed to abandon ship. With considerable difficulty in the rough, confused seas, Acting Coxswain Cook manoeuvred Canadian Pacific alongside Snowgoose and the skipper was snatched aboard by the crew.

Leaving the abandoned yacht, which later ran ashore, Acting Coxswain Cook set course back to Yarmouth by way of North Channel, close to Hurst Point.

At 1615 the lifeboat arrived back at Yarmouth where the survivor was landed into the care of a waiting doctor.

Half an hour later Canadian Pacific was re-fuelled, back on her moorings and ready for service.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum have been accorded to Acting Coxswain John C. Cook and vellum service certificates have been presented to Acting Second Coxswain Christopher R.

West, Assistant Motor Mechanic Alan Howard, Emergency Motor Mechanic Keith Hopkins and Crew Members Richard H. Pierrepont, Stuart L. Pimm and David J. Richards..