Two taken off BEAUMARIS ILB STATION deputy launching authority was informed by Penmon Coastguard at 1646 on Saturday, October 23, 1976, that sailing dinghies had capsized in the vicinity of Gallows Point and Garth Point, Menai Strait; the crews were in the water clinging to the boats.

Maroons were fired and the Atlantic 21 B515, Blue Peter II, launched at 1653.

The wind was from the south, gale force 8, the sea moderate. The sky was overcast with squally sleet showers; visibility was moderate to good. It was 1| hours before low water and the tidal stream was flowing to the north east at its spring rate of about 1.3 knots.

Blue Peter H, commanded by Helmsman John Askew, made full speed for a position just south of Gallows Point where two overturned dinghies could be seen being dragged into shallow water by their crews, who indicated that lifeboat assistance was not needed. To the north of Gallows Point someone could be seen swimming towards the shoreaway from a capsized dinghy, but an onlooker standing at the water's edge told the ILB crew that the water was very shallow and the swimmer was out of danger.

Having satisfied himself that the people reported to have been in the water were all accounted for, Helmsman Askew decided to return to station and advised Penmon Coastguard accordingly.

The time was 1704. The Coastguard acknowledged receipt of the radio message and told the ILB that red flares had been sighted off Careg Onnen Point on the north-east side of Anglesey some six or seven miles away. Helmsman Askew replied that he would investigate and set off at full speed.

When half a mile south of Puffin Sound, just east of Penmon Point, rough and confused breaking seas were encountered and speed was reduced to half throttle. Blue Peter II was entering Puffin Sound at 1713 when the Coastguard asked her to investigate a yacht sighted 1J miles north of Trwyn-du lighthouse. Course was altered to the north and the ILB headed into rougher water for about five minutes. At 1718 a yacht was sighted a quarter of a mile to the north west, sailing on the port tack under reefed main and jib. The yacht, later identified as Tantivy, a 5 ton bermudan rigged cabin cruiser, was being blown over on to her beam ends at times and appeared to be in difficulty.

It was estimated that the wind was blowing force 7 from the south and the sea was rough and confused.

Blue Peter II made an up-wind approach, closed the stern of Tantivy and enquired if she had fired a flare. The two men on board said that they had not made any distress signal, but had sighted a red flare to the south west close inshore. John Askew said that he would return as soon as possible after investigating the flare, as Tantivy's crew were experiencing great difficulty in handling the boat in the strong wind and confused seas. A situation report was passed to the Coastguard along with a request for the offshore lifeboat to be placed on standby. Blue Peter II continued south-westwards to Careg Onnen Point.

On closing the land an intercepted radio message between a rescue helicopter and Coastguard mobile indicated that the boat which had fired the flare had been beached and her crew were safe. The Coastguard asked the ILB to return to Tantivy. The time was now 1730. Course was reversed and as Blue Peter II headed back to the north east a Wessex helicopter from RAF Valley arrived overhead and escorted her to Tantivy.

The quartering seas made steering difficult, and Helmsman Askew later reported the worst conditions were experienced during this part of the service. On arriving back with Tantivy she was seen to be lying beam to the sea with sheets flying. The main boom wasswinging from side to side as she rolled heavily in the rough sea. The crew indicated that they wished to be taken off and Helmsman Askew told them that he would attempt an up-wind approach on to the stern of the boat and would take one man off at a time.

Blue Peter II was positioned downwind off the casualty's starboard quarter in preparation for the approach. On making the approach the helmsman was able to lay the ILB alongside Tantivy's port quarter long enough for both men to be taken off. At 1739 a message was passed to Penmon Coastguard that the crew were safe aboard the ILB and the yacht abandoned.

Course was set to close Tryn Dinmor to obtain a lee before attempting the passage back through Puffin Sound, and the helicopter remained in attendance until Blue Peter II reached quieter water. The survivors were landed at the lifeboat station at about 1825.

The abandoned yacht was taken in tow four days later off Holyhead and found to be in a good seaworthy state.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum have been accorded to Helmsman John C.

Askew. Vellum service certificates have been presented to Crew Members Gareth Parry and Huw G. Williams..