French crew saved AT ABOUT 1755 on Thursday, March 31, the Coastguard mobile from Beer arrived at Lyme Regis ILB house and the Coastguard informed Crew Member Christopher Greenhill that he was concerned about a small yacht which he had sighted, making heavy weather, off the mouth of the River Axe and which he now believed was heading for Lyme Regis.

Chris Greenhill alerted Helmsman John Hodder and two other crew members. As John Hodder arrived at the boathouse the yacht came into view about half a mile to the east and was seen to fire a red flare, so he immediately telephoned the honorary secretary explaining that the yacht was in immediate danger of being driven on to Broad Ledge. Knowing the experience of his crew the honorary secretary authorised the launch although the sea condition was greater than anything in which the ILB had previously been out during her four years at Lyme Regis. The wind hadbeen blowing from the south west for two days and a heavy swell was now accompanying the near gale force 7 south-south-west wind, producing waves of 15 to 20 feet, which were breaking over Broad Ledge. The tide was in the second hour of ebb and running at about 0.6 knots with the wind.

The Atlantic 21, with four crew on board because of the difficult conditions, was launched at 1802. Only one engine could be started but, because the yacht was drifting rapidly towards Broad Ledge, Helmsman Hodder decided to go out to sea on one engine. Once clear of the harbour he gave the helm to Crew Member Christopher Woodbridge and went aft to work on the defective engine. When the ILB was about half way to the casualty he discovered a fault in the starting cable connector and managed to short circuit this and get the engine started. He then took over the helm again.

A few minutes later the ILB closed the casualty, the French yacht Verseau, which was now in very broken water over Broad Ledge. She was a 20' bermudan sloop with mainsail partly hoisted and jib fully up. Her rigging had parted and she was unable to tack.

There were four people aboard, none of whom appeared able to speak English. One man was aft in the cockpit with the two women, who appeared exhausted, and another man was on the foredeck secured by a safety line. None wore lifejackets.

Helmsman Hodder skilfully took the ILB within a few feet of the casualty so that, on the first attempt, a tow line was successfully passed to the man on the yacht's bow. Ten fathoms of 1" nylon was used and the ILB crew secured this to a towing span which they had devised and which secures on to cleats on either quarter, clear of the engines. Theysignalled the casualty to take her sails down and John Hodder manoeuvred the ILB to start a dead slow tow to harbour.

With the sea almost abeam to port on the return journey the yacht was rolling very heavily but the narrow harbour entrance was safely gained about eight minutes later.

Chris Greenhill had manned the radio throughout, keeping the Coastguard fully in the picture. As a result of the Coastguard reports the station HMA arranged for a doctor to meet the ILB.

The two women were taken to the hospital on arrival, for check-up, and the ILB crew then helped the two men to secure the yacht alongside a berth in the harbour. The ILB was rehoused and ready for a service at 1830.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum have been accorded to Helmsman John Hodder and vellum service certificates have been presented to Crew Members Christopher Woodbridge, Christopher Greenhill and Graham Turner..