Belgian sloop aground LYMINGTON ILB STATION deputy launching authority received a telephone message at 2035 on Friday, November11, 1977, from HM Coastguard Needles saying that the 42' Belgian sloop Colombe had called on her RT to say that she was aground on the east bank of Lymington River and to ask for help.

The wind was westerly gale to strong gale, force 8 to 9, and the seas were high, but visibility was good. It was one hour before high water. In these conditions the DLA and Senior Helmsman Christopher Carrington agreed that the ILB could operate inside the river only and the launch was authorised.

Subsequently it was learned that Colombe had left Plymouth in the morning and when she met the heavy and worsening weather in the Channel decided to make for what she thought would be the more sheltered waters of The Solent. In fact she met very heavy seas on or near the Shingle Bank and in Hurst Narrows. Her engine failed and, as her owner was familiar with Lymington, he decided to come into the river under sail. With the gale force wind, however, he failed to round a bend and was being forced on to the east bank.Fortunately the yacht's crew got an anchor out and this, with the rising tide, meant that she was not too hard aground.

The Atlantic 21 ILB launched at 2043 manned by Helmsman Carrington and Crew Members Peter Harvey and Richard Smith. When she reached Colombe, seas were breaking over the yacht, even in the river. It says much for the Atlantic 21 and the way she was handled by her crew that she was able to tow a 42' sloop to a berth in Berthon Marina. The ILB was rehoused and ready for service at 2130.

For this service a letter of thanks signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, the director of the Institution, has been sent to the deputy launching authority, Andre E. Prove, and to the crew, Helmsman Christopher R. Carrington and Crew Members Peter E. T. Harvey and Richard C. Smith..