North Eastern Division Cut off by tide INFORMATION THAT A MAN had been reported cut off by the tide below the cliffs in the vicinity of the Coastguard lookout was passed to the honorary secretary of Whitby lifeboat station at 1630 on Sunday, June 5. The assembly signal was made and at 1639 Whitby D class inflatable ILB launched on service with three crew on board.

The wind was north west moderate to fresh, force 4 to 5, with a moderate sea and heavy swell. The tide was three hours flood.

Helmsman Michael Coates headed, at full speed, to the reported position and the casualty was sighted on the beach immediately below the Coastguard lookout. Heavy swell, estimated at some 7 to 8 feet, was breaking all along the shore at the base of the cliffs, but the ILB was able to approach the shore on the back of a large swell in one of the few areas where the breaking surf was less severe and the anchor was put over. The anchor held, snatching the ILB head to sea, and the inflatable boat was then veered down towards the shore and the casualty.

Crew Member Anthony Easton entered the water to help the stranded man to the boat but experienced great difficulty in the heavy surf. Leaving Crew Member Brian Hodgson to tend the anchor warp, Helmsman Coates made fast the inboard end of this same warp to his lifejacket and waded ashore to help. The heavy surf swept both men off their feet and, together with the casualty, they were carried back on to the rocks.

At this time, about 1650, Brian Hodgson reported that the weight had gone off the anchor warp and the boat was swept bodily towards the beach, on top of the three men. The boat was swept back on to the rocks several times; then, with great difficulty, she was held under control and the anchor warp recovered, apparently parted.

With the casualty aboard, the engine was re-started, after several unsuccessful attempts, and the ILB headed through the surf towards safer water. The engine, however, stalled and although oars were shipped the boat was washed back to the beach.

The honorary secretary was informed of these latest difficulties at 1659 and maroons were fired for the lifeboat at 1700. Whitby's 44' Waveney lifeboat The White Rose of Yorkshire launched and was off the position of the incident at 1706. Unfortunately the rock shelf in this area is very flat and the lifeboat could not close near enough to reach the ILB with her rocket apparatus.

The crew were still able to handle the ILB at this time and, with the tide rising, moved the casualty to higher ground. The Coastguard then started to assemble their own rocket apparatus with the intention of lowering a man down the cliff to try to make contact with The White Rose of Yorkshire from ashore.

At 1729 a helicopter was requested from RAF Leconfield and it was reported as 'scrambling' at 1735. One minute later the ILB crew reported that they were abandoning their boat, owing to the state of the tide and sea.

Coastguard Officer Alan Martin was lowered down the cliff with rocket apparatus and at 1757 he attempted to fire a line. It missed and although it had a floating head the crew of the lifeboat could not find it. A second attempt was thwarted by heavy surf smashing the whip box against the cliff, spilling its contents.

The helicopter arrived on the scene at 1811, when the casualty was lifted to the cliff top within minutes and taken to hospital suffering from exposure. The lifting of the Coastguard and three crew members was completed by 1830; although cold, they had suffered no ill effects.

The White Rose of Yorkshire returned to station, arriving at about 1845, and the ILB was left at the foot of the cliffs to be recovered as soon as possible, when conditions permitted.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Helmsman Michael Coates and Crew Members Brian Hodgson and Anthony Easton. A framed letter of thanks signed by Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman of the Institution, has been presented to Coastguard Officer Alan Martin and a letter of appreciation, also signed by the Chairman, sent to the Commanding Officer, RAF Leconfield.

Western Districts Two swimmers ALREADY OUT ON EXERCISE, On the evening of Tuesday, August 30, Port Talbot D class ILB remained afloat to cover an organised open water swim.

The wind was south west force 4, the sea rough and the tide flooding. Visibility was good.

Heavy surf was building up on the weather side of the north breakwater, towards which two of the 30 or more swimmers were being carried. At 1915 the ILB went between the breakwater and the two swimmers and took them aboard. Then two heavy waves swamped the boat and the engine cut out. Oars were immediately shipped and the crew had paddled out of trouble before being taken in tow by another boat.

In the lee of the breakwater the plugs were changed and the engine fired once more. The tow was cast off and the ILB, running on one cylinder and experiencing trouble with the gears, made for the river, beached on the boat club slipway and landed the two swimmers. The ILB was brought back to station on her trailer and rehoused at 2100.

For this service letters of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, have been sent to Helmsman Steven Lewis and Crew Members Henry Worth and Robert Parker.

Ireland Division Fallen from cliff AT 1620 ON APRIL 22 the Garda Siochana informed Dr O'Brien-Moran, deputy launching authority of Tramore ILB station, that a young man had fallen and was lying seriously injured at the base of the cliff just west of Newton Head. The DLA alerted the crew immediately and requested Garda John Lawton to go to the top of the cliff with his radio to act as guide. The ILB launched on service at 1640 crewed by Helmsman Noel Power and Crew Member John Palmer, embarking with them Dr O'Brien-Moran in his capacity as honorary medical adviser. The station's special stretcher was taken.

The weather was overcast with low cloud and intermittent rain; the wind was strong south westerly force 6 with squalls of force 7, and a moderate sea was running. Low water at Tramore was at 1530.

After clearing Tramore, Helmsman Power used the lee provided by Newton Head, but progress thereafter was slow and daunting. The ILB had to tack at reduced power to make headway through the 3 to 4 metre tide-race running off the headland. At 1700 the crew sighted Garda Lawton just above the beach in a small cove a quarter of a mile to the west of Newton Head. The sea was breaking across the entrance to this bay. Helmsman Power spent some time observing the run of the seas, and decided to run in during a lull on to a narrow shingle beach some 40 metres from the Garda.

After beaching, Dr O'Brien-Moran set off with John Palmer, carrying the stretcher, and crossed a series of rocks some 5 metres high between the ILB and the casualty. Helmsman Power tended the boat.

Regrettably, and despite mouth-tomouth resuscitation given by John Lawton, the casualty succumbed to his injuries. Dr O'Brien-Moran consulted the crew and it was agreed that it would be pointless to risk trying to recover the body by sea in the prevailing conditions. The casualty was therefore placed on the stretcher and carried to a ledge ready for a cliff recovery.

The ILB was launched into the rough onshore sea, and once clear of the bay a route well clear of the headland and its tide-race was chosen for the return.

In appreciation of his service, a special certificate inscribed on vellum has been presented to Dr Hugh O'Brien-Moran.

The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum have been accorded to Helmsman Noel I. Power and a vellum service certificate to Crew Member John D.

Palmer. A framed letter of thanks signed by Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman of the Institution, has been presented to Garda John Lawton.

South Western Division In gully INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED from HM Coastguard by St Ives ILB station at 1531 on Thursday, July 28, that there were people cut off by the tide on the north side of Carbis Bay Beach. The assembly signal was made immediately and the ILB launched two minutes later with John Humphries as helmsman and John Lander and James Stevens as crew.

The wind was north by east, fresh to strong force 5 to 6. Visibility was good and the weather fine, but the sea was rough. The tide was 5 hours flood.

The ILB ran through very confused bucking seas to Porthminster Point, on the south side of which she found four people cut off in a gully up which breaking seas were running.

Helmsman Humphries raised the outboard engine and the boat was manoeuvred up the gully by oar. The two adults and two children were brought in over the bow, the boat backed off by oar, and she returned under power to St Ives West Pier at 1554. The four people were taken into the lifeboat house and treated for cuts, bruises and shock.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, was sent to Captain E. Kemp, honorary secretary of St Ives ILB station.

Eastern Division Two yachts aground BRADWELL COASTGUARD MOBILE was in the vicinity of Stansgate on the afternoon of Friday, May 20, keeping watch over a number of yachts off Osea Island, when, at 1723, a yacht was seen to be heading for the sand spit at the eastern end of the island and a red flare was sighted. Lifeboat attendance was requested and the honorary secretary of West Mersea ILB station immediately gave authority for maroons to be fired.

Meanwhile, it appeared that a second yacht was altering course to go to the aid of the first; she also ran aground on the spit, at the north-eastern edge.

The wind was north east, strong force 6 gusting to gale force 8, and, with a strong ebb tide, the seas were heavy and short. Predicted high water at Bradwell was 1548. The weather was fine with fair visibility.

At 1732 West Mersea Atlantic 21 ILB launched on service. Once clear of the West Mersea approaches she had to reduce speed in the heavy seas, but she reached the 23' sloop Contessa, the second grounding, at 1752. Approach to the casualty was difficult in the shallow water as the two streams of ebb tide around Osea Island, reaching a rate of 3 knots, were meeting and causing very heavy confused seas of up to 6 feet against the gale force northeasterly wind. One crew member boarded Contessa and an anchor was run into deep water by the ILB.

Both this yacht and the first casualty, the 25' sloop Lionheart, were chartered from Maldon. The two men in Contesscfs crew of four were loath to leave until told of the continuing bad forecast and an estimated re-floating time at 0100. All four of the crew were then taken aboard the ILB and landed at Marconi Yacht Club, Stansgate, where the Coastguard mobile awaited them.

The Atlantic 21 then went on to Lionheart, reaching her at 1807. After the ILB had run an anchor away for them, the yacht's four crew members were taken off, the transfer, once again, requiring careful manoeuvring; the four people were landed at Stansgate at 1830.

Before returning to station the ILB continued westward to warn other yachts to remain west of Osea Island.

The 6-mile passage back eastwards was again made at reduced speed with the ILB leaving the water frequently in the heavy seas. She was refuelled and ready for service at 1922.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, was sent to Helmsman James Clarke. Letters of thanks signed by Commander Bruce Cairns, Chief of Operations, were sent to Crew Members Graham Knott and David Mills.

Western Division Climber falls THREE YOUTHS WERE CLIMBING down the cliff at Wylfa Headland on Wednesday, April 13, when a peg pulled out of the cliff and one of the boys fell about 35 feet into the sea, striking the cliff face and a submerged rock on his way. One of the other climbers, who was neatly at sea level, scrambled into the sea and managed to drag his unconscious friend clear of the water; then, with the help of the third climber, he tried to drag him up the cliff to safety. About 8 feet up, however, the injured youth became wedged in a crevice. While one of the two climbers remained with him, the other went back down the cliff, waded and swam to a beach and ran about two miles to a farmhouse to dial 999 and ask for the Police.

At 1820, Porthdinllaen Coastguard informed the honorary secretary of Abersoch ILB station that a boy had fallen down the cliff at Forth Ceiriad.

Maroons were fired and Abersoch ILB was launched at 1840.

The wind was moderate to fresh north westerly, force 4 to 5. The sea was choppy, with wind against tide. High water was at 1831.

Once the beach was cleared course was set at full speed for Forth Ceiriad. On passing the headland, Trwyn yr Wylfa, two miles from station, speed was reduced to half throttle and communications established with Abersoch Coastguard mobile. An estimated position of the injured boy was given by the mobile and the ILB crew sighted the casualty at 1900.

The ebb is one hour earlier at Forth Ceiriad than at Abersoch, and a heavy ground swell was running at the foot of the cliff beneath the casualty. Helmsman Barrie McGill decided to anchor, veer down to the cliff and disembark a crew member on the rocks at its foot.

Two attempts were made, but the boat could not be veered past a ledge running 10 foot out from the cliff which, because of the ground swell, was at times only just covered. Position was moved 30 yards to the north and the manoeuvre repeated, this time successfully. Crew Member Michael Davies climbed on to a rock and took two lines ashore, so that the boat was secured by the anchor line and a line from each quarter.

Helmsman McGill and Crew Member Noel Loughlin then swam ashore.

Michael Davies was left to tend the ILB while the other two crew members waded and swam to a position beneath the casualty. Noel Loughlin climbed the 8 feet and found the youth, unconscious and with a head wound, wedged firmly in the crevice; both he and his friend were showing signs of hypothermia.

Realising that he could not lift the injured boy clear of the crevice, Noel Loughlin signalled to Barrie McGill to radio for helicopter help. Helmsman McGill waded and swam back to the ILB to pass this message to Abersoch mobile, and then returned to his position below the casualty.

At this stage Coastguard Officer N. D.

Arnott, Porthdinllaen station, came down the cliff on a line, followed by a stretcher. Between them, Noel Loughlin and Mr Arnott placed the injured youth in the stretcher and manhandled him to a ledge 25 feet higher, from which both he and the uninjured climber could be winched aboard the helicopter.

With the two youths safely away, Noel Loughlin was lowered to the base of the cliff. When all three crew members were back on board the ILB, anchor was weighed and the return passage to station made at full speed. The ILB was refuelled and ready for service at 2115.

For this service framed letters of appreciation signed by Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman of the Institution, have been presented to Helmsman Barrie D. McGill and Crew Members Noel H. Loughlin and Michael Davies.

Scotland (South) Division Quick help IN A MODERATE TO FRESH north-westerly breeze on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 19, the owner of the yacht Chica was thrown into the sea just opposite Campbeltown Old Quay when his inflatable dinghy capsized. His wife threw a lifeline, but when it failed to reach him she sound the yacht's fog horn and set off a distress flare, attracting the attention of Duncan McCallum.

Mr McCallum, who before his retirement had been motor mechanic of Campbeltown lifeboat for 39 years, immediately made for the scene of the accident, single handed, in a fast motorboat.

He found the man, exhausted, floating in the sea, and with the help of a crew member from a nearby yacht, got him aboard the motorboat and helped him back aboard the yacht.

A yachting instructor who saw the rescue described it as 'an excellent piece of seamanship carried out with great calm and efficiency'.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, was sent to Duncan McCallum, BEM, former motor mechanic of Campbeltown lifeboat.

North Western Division On passage A YACHT IN DIFFICULTY in gale force winds, 12.4 miles bearing 015°M from Llandudno lifeboat station, was reported to the honorary secretary by HM Coastguard at 1610 on Thursday, August 4.

RFA White Rover was standing by the yacht, which was on passage from Port St Mary to Holyhead. Lilly Wainwright, Llandudno's 37' Oakley lifeboat, launching at 1630, reached the casualty at 2010.

The wind was south west gale force 8.

The sea was very rough, it was raining and visibility was poor. The tide was four hours ebb.

White Rover provided a lee while the lifeboat took the yacht in tow, and then, at 2020, the tanker continued on passage while the lifeboat and her tow headed back with the tug Mumbles in attendance.

At 2140, as conditions had improved a little, Mumbles resumed her passage.

The lifeboat and tow arrived in Llandudno Bay at 2310, only to find no mooring available.

As a weather report received gave the wind as south west force 8, veering to north west force 8, it was decided to tow the yacht to Deganwy. Setting out at 2345, the river was entered two hours later. The yacht was safely on a mooring at 0200 and her crew ashore by 0215.

Five minutes later the lifeboat started on the return passage to station, arriving at 0315 after nearly 11 hours at sea in gale force winds.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, has been sent to Coxswain Meurig Davies and his crew.

North Eastern Division Search through surf BLYTH LIFEBOAT, the 46' 9" Watson Winston Churchill (Civil Service No. 8) had launched on exercise on Monday, August 8, and was heading for the harbour mouth when, at 1007, a call was received from HM Coastguard for ILB assistance off the River Wansbeck: a boat had overturned.

The lifeboat was just passing the harbour master's office, so she came alongside the jetty and Crew Members Leslie Fay and David Cussins were put ashore to launch the ILB. This was done off the beach to the south of the boathouse, into Blyth Bay, with the help of local fishermen at 1012.

The wind was north east strong, force 6, and there was a heavy swell. The tide was one hour before high water. Visibility was good.

The ILB, with Leslie Fay at her helm, made full speed to the Wansbeck, passing the lifeboat on the way as she, too, headed north to the incident. On reaching Sandy Bay it was found that a helicopter, called out previously, was already searching. Contacting Coastguard Newbiggin mobile, the ILB received instructions to search the inshore area from the mouth of the River Wansbeck south to the sewer outfall, some 800 yards away; one casualty was still missing, three apparently having been taken from the water by the helicopter and by helpers on the shore.

An elongated box search pattern was worked off the beach some 150 to 200 yards out on the edge of considerable surf for about 30 minutes, during which time the first helicopter was relieved by a second. No sign of the casualty was seen.

At about 1100 the ILB received a request from the Coastguard mobile to try to search further inshore. An attempt was made but with little success as a slow search through the heavy surf over the sand bars was impracticable; it would have resulted in serious damage to the ILB—in fact she did nearly overturn on one occasion.

Coastguard advice was altered so that the inflatable boat resumed search on the edge of the breaking surf while the helicopter searched within the surf and the lifeboat searched some 500 yards off shore.

At about 1130 the helicopter discontinued the search and twenty minutes later, after discussion with the Coastguard, the lifeboats were also instructed to discontinue the search and return to Blyth.

When they were some half mile off Blyth entrance a further call from Newbiggin mobile reported definite sighting of the casualty in the water 150 yards off shore and some 600 yards south of the River Wansbeck mouth.

Both lifeboats put about (it was 1210) and made full speed for Sandy Bay.

The ILB arrived off the given position at about 1215 and was directed by the mobile to search in heavy surf which was worsening as the tide receded over the sand bars off the river mouth.

For some 70 minutes, with Winston Churchill standing off some 500 yards to the east, many runs were made into the surf in an attempt to find the casualty.

The ILB had to be drained on numerous occasion as she took heavy breakers over the bow. Some 15 minutes after resuming the search both crew were thrown half out of the boat as she took a particularly large green and white full on the starboard side. During much of the search David Cussins, disregarding his own safety, stood upright in the bow of the ILB to get a better field of vision.

Coastguard and police on the beach contrived to indicate further sightings, but, although attempts to close them were made each time, only once did David Cussins glimpse something in the water; the very confused sea, however, covered it up before the boat could get in close.

Two policemen came to the water's edge beckoning the ILB to come in even closer, which she did, bottoming the engine on several sorties towards the beach. At about 1315 Helmsman Fay took the ILB to within some 25 yards of the waterline where she bottomed on her keel before being overcome by a large breaker, which, to her credit, she took, and she was able to drive out to sea again.

It now became obvious that the people on the beach, by wading into the shallow water, were in a much better position to effect a recovery than was the ILB; moreover the boat was running low on fuel. After discussion with the Coastguard, therefore, the ILB was instructed to return to Blyth. The return passage was made at half throttle, the ILB was landed on the slip at 1340, was rehoused, refuelled and ready for service at 1400.

For this service letters of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, have been sent to Helmsman Leslie Fay and Crew Member David Cussins.

Ireland Division Lobster boat sunk THE LIGHTKEEPERS on Tory Island sent a message to the honorary secretary of Arranmore lifeboat station at 2015 on Saturday, September 17, reporting that a half-decker lobster fishing boat had gone on the rocks. The crew of three had managed to clamber ashore but two were badly injured and needed hospital treatment.

Southern Africa, the 51' Barnett relief lifeboat on temporary duty at Arranmore, launched at 2030 and set course for Tory Island, 19 miles north of the station. The night was fine with good visibility, a smooth sea and light northeasterly winds. It was high water.

The wounded men were taken off at 2326 and landed at Burtonport at 0230 where an ambulance was waiting to take them to hospital. The lifeboat was ready for service again at 0300.

South Western Division Injured climber A MAN, APPARENTLY SERIOUSLY INJURED and lying at the foot of the cliff at Jackets Point, three miles north east of Port Isaac ILB station, was reported to the honorary secretary by HM Coastguard at 1332 on Wednesday, May 4.

Maroons were fired and the ILB launched at 1342.

On arrival off Jackets Point the crew could, at first, see no sign of the man.

On re-approaching the point from the north east, however, a narrow entrance between the rocks became apparent in which the casualty could now be seen, with people standing on the cliff tops above him.

The weather was fine, the wind light from the east north east and the tide was just starting to flood. There was little sea but a considerable swell was creating heavy breaking surf in the entrance to the cove.

Helmsman Clive Martin made a slow approach consistent with avoiding the submerged rocks in the mouth of the cove, and, at the same time, keeping enough way on the ILB to avoid being overwhelmed by the breaking surf. After safely negotiating the entrance a sharp turn was made to starboard, the ILB was beached on the rocks close by the casualty, and the crew climbed over to where he lay. He had slipped while climbing, falling some 50 feet, and it was aooarent that at least one of his ankles was broken and his back was injured.

A Neil Robertson stretcher was lowered by the Coastguard and, while Helmsman Martin and his crew, Barry Slater and John Coshall, rendered first aid, two other Port Isaac crew members, Edward Flanagan and Andrew Bolton, climbed down the cliff. They helped to strap the casualty firmly in the stretcher and, with great care, carry him over the rocks to the ILB.

With the two extra crew members providing useful additional ballast, the ILB was successfully re-launched into the surf. Helmsman Martin followed, as closely as possible, the reciprocal of the track successfully used to enter the cove and, handling the ILB with great skill, not only succeeded in negotiating the very heavy surf safely, but also caused no undue discomfort to the casualty.

The ILB returned to Port Isaac at 1440, to be met by the honorary medical adviser and an ambulance. On arrival at hospital the casualty was found to have two broken ankles and a broken wrist as well as an injured back. He has expressed his grateful thanks to the RNLI.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum have been accorded to Helmsman Clive Martin. Vellum service certificates have been presented to Crew Members Barry Slater, John Coshall, Edward Flanagan and Andrew Bolton.

South Eastern Division Broken rudder THE HONORARY SECRETARY of Poole Lifeboat station was informed by Portland RHQ at 0750 on Tuesday, August 23 that a Dutch warship had reported a 25' yacht, Lucy, with a broken rudder 23 miles south of Anvil Point.

She was on passage from Cherbourg.

Poole's 44' Waveney lifeboat, Augustine Courtauld, slipped her moorings at 0810 and headed for the position. The wind was north east force 2 to 3, the sea was slight and the weather fine. The tide was threequarters ebb. A thorough seach was made of the area in excellent visibility but nothing was seen of the casualty and it was thought that she might have rigged a jury rudder and continued on her way. The search was called off at 1130, the lifeboat returned to station at 1330 and was refuelled and ready for service at 1400.

That same night, at 2012, Coastguard Needles reported to the honorary secretary of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, lifeboat station, that red flares had been sighted by a Viscount aircraft 27 miles south south west of the Needles lighthouse.

It was thought it might be Lucy.

By now the wind had gone round to south west, but it was still light, with the sea smooth and visibility good. It was slack water. Yarmouth lifeboat, the 52' Arun Joy and John Wade, launched at 2021 and made a thorough search in the area of the position given, with the help of a helicopter (before it got too dark) and other ships, but without result. The search was called off, with the intention that it should be resumed from the air at first light, and the lifeboat was back on station at 0200. However, before dawn Lucy had arrived in Christchurch, having in fact rigged a jury rudder, and she confirmed that she had fired the red flare sighted by the aircraft.

The next evening, Wednesday, August 24, at 1900, a member of the public reported a flare sent up from a boat aground off Blackberry Point in Christchurch Harbour to the honorary secretary of Mudeford ILB station.

After discussion with HM Coastguard, the ILB was launched at 1905 and made for the point at full speed. She helped MFV Foam get a line aboard the grounded yacht, Lucy, which was then towed back to Christchurch by the fishing boat.

The wind had risen to south west near gale force 7 and the sea was choppy.

The tide was flooding.

On her way back to base the ILB saw a man in the water holding a life ring. He said he was trying to swim out to his son who had been stranded for some considerable time on a little speed boat on her moorings. He refused help for himself but asked if the ILB would take off his son. The ILB took the boy ashore, while his father got there by himself, and then she returned to station. She was rehoused by 1930.

Scotland South Division Yacht stranded ON PASSAGE from the Isle of Whithorn to Kippford on Wednesday, August 24, the 23' yacht Albino mistook the entry into the Urr Estuary and went to the west of Almorness Point, driving into the shallow Orchardton Bay. On discovering her mistake she tried to anchor, but the anchor did not grip on the hard bottom, despite the fact that there was 60 feet of chain and a nylon warp attached. Albino was driven on the rocks and her rudder was torn from the transom.

A member of the public, seeing the yacht's difficulty, telephoned at 2000 to the honorary secretary of Kippford ILB station and the ILB crewed by Helmsman Leonard Filer and Crew Member John Robertson launched ten minutes later. The wind was south east moderate force 4, the sea rough. The tide was full.

The ILB reached the stranded yacht at 2030. The approach was difficult as the seas were about six feet, breaking continually over the ILB. However, the yacht was towed clear of the rocks and held in position until the tide eased. She was left on dry ground and recovered next day by the yacht yard.

The ILB returned to her station at 2230 and was rehoused at 2250. The yacht's crew of two were given hospitality.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, has been sent to Dr T. Maurice Donald, honorary secretary of Kippford ILB station.

Scotland North Division Near rocks A CREW MEMBER from a small fishing vessel which, on Friday night, August 19, had broken down just south of Longhaven, rowed ashore, managed to scramble up the cliffs and made a 999 call to RHQ Peterhead; it was 2225. His skipper was still aboard the boat, Zenith, which was anchored; they feared, however, that she might go on the rocks and there was too much sea and swell for a local boat to help.

While the Coastguard mobile picked up the crew member and took him back to the cliffs, a message was sent to the honorary secretary of Peterhead lifeboat station that a boat was stranded in the vicinity of Boddam, and Cruden Bay Rescue Company were mustered. The wind was north by east force 2 with a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing.

Peterhead's 48' 6" Solent lifeboat James and Mariska Joicey launched at 2240, reached Zenith at 2305, manoeuvring in under the cliff, and began the tow at 2325. Lifeboat and tow were berthed in harbour at 0010.

Western Division On the bar TWO RED FLARES sighted on the south side of Portmadoc Estuary, near and inside the bar, were reported to the honorary secretary of Pwllheli lifeboat station by Coastguard Porthdinllaen at 0035 on Thursday, September 1. The wind was near gale force from the south west and the sea rough, the weather fair with good visibility. The tide was on the ebb.

Maroons were fired and at 0054 Pwllheli's 35' 6" Liverpool lifeboat Anthony Robert Marshall launched and set course for Portmadoc.

By the time the lifeboat was off Portmadoc Bar (0300) it was unsafe to enter as breaking seas on the bar reduced depth in the troughs to inches only. The Coastguard therefore asked Criccieth ILB to launch and work with the lifeboat. While Anthony Robert Marshall lay off in support and illuminated the scene with her searchlight, Criccieth ILB made two trips to the 22' yacht Zircon, now high and dry, taking off two of her family crew of four each time and putting them ashore at Black Rock Sands. The yacht was secured as well as possible. Anthony Robert Marshall escorted the ILB back to Criccieth and then returned to station.

Scotland Northern Division Driven ashore THE HONORARY SECRETARY of Stornoway lifeboat station received a message from HM Coastguard at 0540 on Sunday, August 28, saying that a small foreign vessel, Vieux Copains, had gone aground at Battery Point at Stornoway Bay, one mile south east of the station. Gale force 8 winds were blowing from the south west, the sea was rough, and visibility was poor on an overcast morning. The tide was 5 hours flood.

Relief 48' 6" Solent lifeboat The Royal British Legion Jubilee, on temporary duty at Stornoway, slipped her moorings at 0600 and arrived at the casualty about eight minutes later. By this time a liferaft had been drifted ashore to the beach from Vieux Copains and five women and a boy had been taken off by the Coastguard.

A tow line was connected from the lifeboat but an attempt to tow the stranded vessel off proved unsuccessful; she had been pushed too hard on to the stony beach by the south-westerly swell, and the tide had reached its highest point for that morning. So the tow was abandoned. The five remaining crew were put ashore in the liferaft and taken to the local Sailors Home to await the next high water for possible refloating.

The Royal British Legion Jubilee, recalled, was back on her mooring and ready for service at 0740..