South Eastern Division Capsized yacht WHILE CROSS CHANNEL FERRY Viking Venturer was entering the Needles Channel on Monday evening July 3 she reported at 2002 the sighting of a capsized and semi-sunken yacht five cables south of Bridge Buoy. There was no sign of life aboard. An SAR helicopter was immediately scrambled and at 2006 Needles Coastguard requested the launch of Yarmouth lifeboat. Accordingly at 2015 the 52ft Arun Joy and John Wade launched with Coxswain/Mechanic David Kennett in command.

There was a strong breeze to near gale, force 6 to 7, blowing from the south west, the sea was moderate to rough and the tide was flooding. Visibility, good generally, was reduced to only fair in occasional rain squalls.

While the lifeboat was on her way the helicopter located the 17ft yacht Turpina and put a diver aboard who, having searched the cabin, reported no sign of life. The position was fixed and a rate of drift established. The helicopter then began a search of the Needles area and as far west as Anvil Point, but found nothing.

Arriving on scene at 2038, Yarmouth lifeboat began a box search of the area until dusk, but found nothing. With dark approaching it was decided to abandon the search and to take in tow the yacht, now drifted to some 3'/2 cables off Tennyson's Cross near Freshwater, Isle of Wight.

Coxswain Kennett manoeuvred the lifeboat close to Turpina which was lying with her stern only out of the water and showing a freeboard of some 12 inches. A grapnel was thrown aboard and the yacht taken in tow, but it was only a matter of moments before the tow line broke out from the yacht.

The tow was again made fast and, as the lifeboat got under way, the bow of the yacht was lifted clear of the water; only then was it realised that a body was caught in the rigging. As soon as speed was reduced the bow sank once more and in the near gale now blowing from west by south and the rough sea it was not possible for the body to be recovered by the lifeboat crew. (It was in fact established that this yachtsman was in the habit of securing himself with a lifeline to mast or rigging when working forward.) A second helicopter, from HMS Norfolk, relieved the SAR helicopter and tried to land a crew member aboard the yacht, but this manoeuvre also proved impossible in the prevailing weather.

Moreover, with the radio equipment it carried on board, this helicopter was able to communicate neither with the lifeboat nor with the Coastguard.

The lifeboat resumed the tow and when just into a slight lee around the Needles the line broke out again. As before, the broken mast, sails and rigging around the yacht made it impossible to get close enough to secure a tow line properly without risk of fouling the lifeboat's propellers.

With the slight lee, sea conditions improved marginally and Coxswain Kennett called for volunteers to man the Y class small powered inflatable to take a tow line across to the yacht.

Crew Members Stuart Pimm and Richard Downes volunteered and, with the lifeboat steaming slowlv ahead into wind and sea, launched the inflatable.

With Stuart Pimm at the helm they closed the yacht and on the second attempt managed to secure a line to one of her cleats. The tow was resumed but almost as soon as the strain was taken on the warp it again broke out; the weight of the three-quarters submerged boat was too much for the cleat and it sheared.

The crew took their boat alongside and using their anchor as a jury grapnel managed to wedge it into the cabin.

The tow was started once again and the inflatable was recovered, not without difficulty in the rough weather. The lifeboat then headed back to station at 2'/2 knots, escorted for the last mile or so by the Police launch Ashburton. She entered Yarmouth Harbour at 0130 and manoeuvred the yacht alongside the jetty, helped to right her and extricate the body before returning to her moorings and being made ready for service again by 0300.

For this service framed letters of thanks signed by Major-General Ralph Farrant, chairman of the Institution, were presented to Crew Members Stuart L. Pimm and Richard Downes.

Letters of thanks signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, director of the Institution, were sent to Coxswain/Mechanic David G. Kennett, Second Coxswain/ Mechanic Brian D. A. Miskin, Assistant Mechanic Nicholas G.

Chandler, Second Assistant Mechanic Robert R. Cooke and Crew Members Alan Howard and Maurice A. Pimm.

South Eastern Division Thick fog THE WATCHMAN at St Aldhelm's Head Coastguard heard sounds of a vessel striking the rocks below his lookout in thick fog at 2145 on Thursday July 13.

Without delay he alerted the Coastguard Cliff Rescue Company and, at 2157, requested, through the duty deputy launching authority, the launch of Swanage lifeboat. Twelve minutes later the 37ft 6in Rother J. Reginald Corah launched into the fog with Second Coxswain/Mechanic Victor Marsh in command. It was low water and the wind was variable force 0 to 1.

Course was set to take the lifeboat about a mile south of Durlston Head to clear the numerous trots of lobster pot buoys inshore and by 2225 the lifeboat, using radar for blind pilotage in visibility that was at best 50 feet, was abeam of Anvil Point making best possible speed. Half an hour later she reached the position where the casualty was thought to be, approaching from almost due south, and began to search.

Meanwhile, by 2245, three coastguards of the cliff rescue team had been lowered to the base of the sheer cliff.

They found the yacht, Carillion of Wight, with a damaged rudder. Her crew of six were all uninjured.

Visibility had closed to a maximum of 15 feet and the young flood tide now running at over 3 knots towards the east was bringing up a moderate ground swell making probes in between the rocks at the cliff foot very difficult; they had to be made athwart the tide which carried the stern away to starboard.

There were also many single lines of lobster pot buoys laid in the area. Visibility was practically nil and at such short distance from the shore radar was no help, so Acting Coxswain Marsh asked the casualty to sound her fog horn to help him in his search.

After six attempts to find the yacht among the rocks, during which the lifeboat had grounded several times and had once been brushed against a rock on the starboard quarter by a long, heavy swell, Acting Coxswain Marsh prudently manoeuvred some 20 to 30 feet to seaward, clear of the rocks, and, at 0012, anchored in about 5 feet of water. He then ordered the inflatable dinghy to be made ready.

It was estimated that the lifeboat was 60 feet off the casualty. The dinghy, secured to the breeches buoy veering line, was launched. Second Assistant Mechanic George Bishop, acting motor mechanic, and Crew Member Christopher Haw then rowed between the rocks to the yacht; a difficult task in the ground swell and thick fog. They reached the yacht by 0020, however, and while Acting Motor Mechanic Bishop remained in the dinghy Crew Member Haw climbed aboard Carillion of Wight. Two of the crew were helped into survivors' lifejackets and then helped into the dinghy. With a second veering line made fast to the dinghy and tended by Crew Member Haw aboard the yacht, the dinghy was hauled back to the lifeboat. By 0045 all six people had been taken off in this way and were safely aboard the lifeboat.

The cliff rescue team also asked to be taken aboard the lifeboat, as the climb back up the cliffs would have been dangerous i,n the persisting fog. So, at 0050, the inflatable dinghy secured to veering lines was rowed ashore by Acting Motor Mechanic Bishop and Emergency Mechanic Ian Marsh and the three coastguards were taken off the rocks and out to the lifeboat.

The dinghy was then rowed back again so that Acting Motor Mechanic Bishop could join Crew Member Haw to see if it would be possible to refloat the yacht and tow her off. An attempt was made to bail her out but, when it was found that she was making water too fast for the pump to keep pace with the leak, two anchors were run out to secure her and she was abandoned.

The dinghy was hauled back to J.

Reginald Corah for the last time and at 0255 the lifeboat recovered her anchor and course was set for station. She was alongside her slipway at 0410. The yacht's crew and the cliff rescue team were landed and given hot tea. While the coastguards were picked up by their own transport, the yacht's crew spent the remainder of the night in the crew room and were given breakfast next morning by Mrs Gloria Marsh, the second coxswain's wife.

The lifeboat was rehoused and ready for service by 0455.

For this service framed letters of thanks signed by Major-General Ralph Farrant, chairman of the Institution, were presented to Second Coxswain/ Mechanic Victor A. C. Marsh, Second Assistant Mechanic George W. Bishop and Crew Member T. Christopher Haw. Letters of thanks signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, director of the Institution, were sent to Assistant Mechanic Phillip J. Dorey, Emergency Mechanic Ian P. Marsh and Crew Members Walter E. Bishop and John E. Corben.

North Western Division MFV ashore RAMSEY COASTGUARD, Isle of Man, informed the honorary secretary of Port Erin lifeboat station at 0616 on Saturday, June 17 that the 70ft motor fishing vessel Incentive on passage from Whitehaven to Kilkeel with a crew of six aboard, had gone ashore south of Port Erin and needed help.

The weather was fine with good visibility, a moderate to fresh breeze, force 4 to 5, was blowing from the north east and the sea was rough when, at 0635, Port Erin's 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat Osman Gabriel launched and set out at full speed. Half an hour later she came up with the casualty ashore on the rocks at the foot of a 250ft sheer cliff on Calf Island, some two-and-a-half to three miles west south west of Port Erin.

Incentive's port side and bilges were damaged and she was taking in water.

A line was passed and secured and with the fishing boat's engines going astern the lifeboat made three attempts, all unsuccessful, to haul her clear. With Incentive starting to flood badly, the wind freshening and backing to the north and the tide now ebbing, Coxswain Peter Woodworth decided to take off the crew from the fishing boat's stern. As the big swell running made this a hazardous task, the six men embarked on a liferaft which was pulled to the lifeboat. By 0800 they were all safely aboard. The six men were disembarked at Port Erin and the lifeboat then returned to her station and was rehoused at 0855.

For this service a letter of thanks signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, director of the Institution, was sent to Coxswain Peter Woodworth and his crew.

South Eastern Division Injured men A HANG GLIDER crashed on the rocks of Beachy Head and the pilot badly injured was reported to Eastbourne lifeboat station by Fairlight Coastguard at 1524.on April 23. Eight minutes later the D class ILB was launched and, crewed by Helmsman Colin Burden and Crew Member David Corke, set out at full speed. The day was fine with good visibility but a fresh to strong breeze, force 5 to 6, was blowing from the north east and the sea was choppy.

It was 4'/2 hours after high water.

As speed was reduced to negotiate the confused sea at Head Ledge the hang glider was sighted on the rocks near Falling Sands and at 1546 the ILB was beached 150 yards from the pilot, a Frenchman, who was being treated for multiple injuries by ambulancemen and policemen. The two lifeboatmen helped to carry the casualty on a stretcher over the big rocks and down to the water's edge, where he was wrapped in protective plastic sheets. To help relaunch and give extra ballast Police Constable Anthony Kemp volunteered to embark as third crew member, and he put on the extra gear and lifejacket which had been brought in the boat.

At 1553 the ILB was dragged off the rocks until she floated and then, while she was held steady by David Corke, the casualty was carried out. Two minutes later, with the injured man safely aboard, the ILB set off slowly through the choppy sea; once clear of the confused, rough water at Head Ledge, speed was increased to half.

The ILB was safely beached at the lifeboat station, where help was mustered, at 1635 and the casualty transferred to an ambulance. The ILB was rehoused and once again ready for service at 1645.

For this service a letter thanking Helmsman Colin Burden and Crew Member David Corke signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, director of the Institution, was sent to Alderman Cecil Frank Baker, station honorary secretary Eastbourne, and a letter signed by Captain Dixon thanking Police Constable Anthony Kemp was sent to the Chief Constable of Sussex Police.

A few weeks later, on May 28, a pleasure boat was returning from a lighthouse trip when her crew, Second Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic Ronald Wheeler spotted a man on the rocks signalling that somebody was injured.

Unable to help, he returned to Eastbourne and notified Coxswain/ Mechanic Derek Huggett.

At 1555, once again with Helmsman Colin Burden and Crew Member David Corke as her crew, the ILB was launched and set off at full speed for Beachy Head. The weather was fine with good visibility, a gentle easterly breeze and slight sea. The tide was high.

Ten minutes later a man was seen signalling from the top of an old cliff fall 15 feet up from the sea. It was not possible to beach the ILB because of large rocks at the base of the fall and a four to five foot swell, so she was anchored off and veered down as close in as possible.

Colin Burden entered the water with the first aid kit, managed to wade ashore and climbed the rocks. Finding the injured man suffering from a broken ankle he immobilised the fracture with splints and bandages.

As the position would be cut off for some time, Colin Burden returned to the ILB to see if he and David Corke could get her ashore. A rope secured to the ILB was made fast to a large rock, but, as it was found that the boat could not be left in this position for fear of damage, the rope was slackened and David Corke pulled her afloat again.

Colin Burden went back to the casualty and, with the help of his friend, carried him down to the water's edge.

The ILB was pulled alongside the rock and the injured man lifted aboard; then his friend jumped in followed by Colin Burden after he had freed the rope. The ILB was pulled clear of the rocks with the anchor and, at 1634, headed back to the lifeboat station. She was beached safely twenty minutes later and the injured man transferred to an ambulance.

The ILB was checked for damage, but none had been sustained. She was rehoused at 1705.

For this service letters of thanks signed by Captain Nigel Dixon were sent to Helmsman Colin Burden and Crew Member David Corke.

North Eastern Division Four launches OVER THE WEEKEND of September 16 and 17 Filey lifeboat, the 37ft Oakley Robert and Dorothy Hardcastle, launched on service three times and the station D class ILB once within the space of 26 hours.

The first call, to a small fishing boat firing red flares in the tideway off Filey Brigg, came to the deputy launching authority at 1250 on Saturday September 16. The wind was south westerly, strong breeze to near gale, force 6 to 7, the tide was flooding. The lifeboat launched at 1305 and headed for the casualty through rough seas, coming alongside at 1320. The four occupants were transferred to the lifeboat and a tow line put aboard. As the weather was worsening, Coxswain Thomas Jenkinson then headed south west to get into the shelter of Filey Bay before turning north for Filey. The fishermen told the crew that their boat had been swamped by a wave which put the outboard engine out of action. After trying to row, without success, they had fired a hand flare. The men were landed and the lifeboat was rehoused by 1440.

At 2005 information was received that Scarborough lifeboat was launching to investigate red flares sighted by Flamborough Coastguard and at 2240 Filey lifeboat was requested by Tees Coastguard to launch to join Whitby and Scarborough lifeboats in a search north east of Scarborough; the search pattern was co-ordinated by Scarborough Coastguard. Filey lifeboat launched at 2250. It was a fine evening with good visibility and the wind had veered to west south west, moderating to force 3 to 4; the tide was low. After three hours the search was called off.

No boats had been reported missing and nothing could be found. As the tide was not suitable for rehousing Filey lifeboat, she was berthed temporarily in Scarborough. The crew arrived back in Filey at 0330 and mustered again at 0700 to bring their boat home. She was rehoused at 0840 on Sunday September 17.

Just after 1000 that morning Filey Coastguard reported a dismasted yacht off Filey Buoy. The wind had gone round to north west and had risen again to a fresh breeze, force 5; the sea was rough. At 1014 the lifeboat launched to escort the 25ft yacht, which was under her own power, through the heavy seas into Bridlington Bay. During the passage, Bridlington ILB, returning from service, offered to meet the yacht and lifeboat round Flamborough Head.

This offer was accepted and the ILB took over the escort. Filey lifeboat returned to station and was rehoused by 1255 with tremendous spirit despite the fact that there had been three launches and rehousings in 24 hours.

Filey ILB launched at 1515 after the crew of a small boat had been reported waving an oar. It was one of the sailing club's own rescue boats and the club's other rescue boat came to her assistance, arriving just after the ILB. The club rescue boat took her 'partner' in tow, the ILB escorting both boats through the tideway. The ILB then returned to station and was rehoused by 1527.

For these services a letter of thanks signed by John Atterton, deputy director of the Institution, was sent to the coxswain, crew and shore helpers of Filey lifeboat station.

Eastern Division Coaster capsized A CARGO VESSEL, Nimrod, with a list to starboard and requiring urgent assistance was reported to the honorary secretary of Cromer lifeboat station by HM Coastguard at 0358 on Monday November 14, 1977. Her position was given as two miles west of Dudgeon Lightvessel.

Visibility was fair with a near gale, force 7, blowing from the north north east when, at 0426, Cromer's 48ft 6in Oakley lifeboat Ruby and Arthur Reed launched and set out at full speed in very rough seas. While en route it was learned that Nimrod, which had been on passage from Whitstable to Leith with a cargo of stone chippings, had capsized at 0540 and had sunk within three minutes. At this time it was thought that her five crew members had taken to liferafts but in fact they were all in the water. Three ships were in the vicinity searching for survivors, The Dutch Mate, the ferry Norwave and Haico Holwerda. The men in the water could be heard shouting but, even when located, they could not be picked up by the high-sided vessels in the eight to twelve foot waves.

A helicopter was able to winch one survivor to safety and, because of his condition, immediately took him back to shore.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 0620 and began to search. With the help of Nonvave's searchlight one man was found. Coxswain Richard Davies started to approach in the normal manner but found that, with the high seas and the wind lifting the lifeboat, it was too dangerous: there was the risk of the boat coming down on top of the man.

So he decided to go up wind and let the lifeboat blow down on the casualty.

This approach still meant taking a risk, but it proved successful. Suffering badly from exposure and in great pain the man was unable to help himself.

With two crew members lying on deck and hanging through the guardrail he was pulled alongside; then other crewmen leaning over the guardrail pulled him clear of the water and on board. He was taken below where members of the crew worked to revive him.

Meanwhile the search continued.

One more survivor was picked up by Haico Holwerda and the last two men were successfully winched to safety by a second helicopter.

Having made certain that Nimrod's crew of five were all accounted for, the lifeboat started on the return passage at 0715. She arrived back in Cromer at 0918 but, not being able to rehouse because of the heavy swell, went on to Great Yarmouth, docking and landing the survivor at 1209. Her crew returned to Cromer by road, and the lifeboat eventually returned to Cromer and was rehoused on November 20.

For this service a letter signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, the director of the Institution, was sent to Dr Paul Barclay, chairman of Cromer station branch, thanking Coxswain Richard Davies and his crew and also D. L.

Snelling, at that time station honorary secretary.

Western Division Clawing off beach AT 2302 ON FRIDAY December 23, 1977, St Anns Coastguard informed the honorary secretary of St David's lifeboat station that the cargo vessel Cumulus I of Panama bound from Glasgow to Beirut appeared to be in serious trouble off Musslewick Beach, Marloes, in St Brides Bay some 7'/2 miles south by east of the lifeboat station.

The weather was bad. Storm force 10 winds were blowing from the west, the seas were very high with a flooding tide and visibility was poor when, at 0140 on December 24, the lifeboat was asked to launch. Maroons were fired but because of the noise of the storm it was doubtful if they could be heard and the crew were called by telephone. At 0210 the 47ft Watson lifeboat Joseph Soar (Civil Service No. 34) launched and set out at full speed.

Cumulus I which had been dragging her anchor, managed to claw her way off the beach and make rendezvous at 0306 with the lifeboat, which then escorted her through very heavy seas to Milford Haven. They arrived at 0835.

Having partaken of refreshment and hot drinks provided by Hakin Point branch, the lifeboat left Milford Haven for her station at 1110 and arrived back in St Davids at 1345.

The captain of Cumulus I made a donation to the lifeboat crew and a letter signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, director of the Institution, was sent to W. Llewellyn, the station honorary secretary, thanking the coxswain and crew.

North Western Division Trapped under pier FOUR FISHERMEN in a 14ft dinghy, trapped among the girders under the central pier and being battered by the waves, were reported to the honorary secretary of Morecambe ILB station by HM Coastguard at 1458 on Sunday June 11.

The tide was still flooding and a gentle to moderate breeze was blowing from the west when at 1505 the inshore lifeboat launched into a moderate sea and made for the casualty at full speed.

Arriving on the scene four minutes later, the ILB embarked two of the survivors. Having landed them safely ashore, she returned to the dinghy and, taking the remaining two people on board, she again returned to the shore with the dinghy in tow.

It transpired that the fishing party had set out that morning in good weather but as the day progressed, the weather deteriorated and they decided to return to shore. On the way back, their outboard engine failed and they were driven under the pier and into the girders by the wind and tide.

The ILB returned to her station where she was rehoused and again made ready for service at 1538.

North Eastern Division Propeller fouled AT ABOUT 2100 on Thursday June 1, HM Coastguard informed the honorary secretary of Hartlepool lifeboat station that a Shackleton aircraft and a helicopter were searching for the MFV Dolphin whose trawl had caught on an underwater obstruction and had fouled her propeller. The intention had been to drop skin divers with wire cutters to free the propeller, but the aircraft were unable to sight the vessel. At 2130 Hartlepool's 44ft Waveney lifeboat The Scout was placed on standby.

The weather was good, with fair to good visibility, light variable winds and a smooth sea when, at 2205, the helicopter returned to base bringing with her the skin divers and The Scout let go her moorings and set off at full speed to the search area.

In the position given there was no sign of any vessel, nor was there any sign on the radar screen. The lifeboat widened the area of search and let go flares at eight miles from Hartlepool and again at 12'/2 miles. This last flare was seen by the casualty which, in turn, set off a distress flare.

The Scout closed the casualty at 0015 on June 2 and within half an hour the propeller had been freed and the vessel was able to return to Hartlepool under her own power, escorted by the lifeboat.

The Scout returned to her moorings and was again made ready for sea at 0430.

South Western Division Catamaran out of control A CATAMARAN, Floral Dancer of Falmouth with a crew of three aboard, out of control and needing help was reported to the honorary secretary of Sennen Cove lifeboat station by HM Coastguard at 1347 on Saturday February 18. Her position was given as in the vicinity of Longships Lighthouse.

Storm to hurricane force winds were blowing from the south east with squalls of rain, hail and snow. Visibility varied from a quarter to two miles and the sea was rough when, at 1418, the reserve 37ft Oakley lifeboat The Vincent Nesfield, on temporary duty at Sennen Cove, launched and set off on course at full speed.

By this time, a helicopter had become airborne and she sighted the casualty some two miles west of the Brisons, two rocky islets, and well clear of the lee of the land. Guided by the helicopter, the lifeboat arrived alongside the casualty at 1440. Floral Dancer had a fouled propeller and rudder, her stays and halyards had been carried away and her engine had failed leaving her at the mercy of the wind and tide.

To have transferred the three men aboard her to the lifeboat would have entailed risk to both vessels and to the survivors themselves. Accordingly, a towline was passed and secured and the casualty was taken in tow into the relatively calmer water close in under the land. There it became obvious that the port hull was taking in water fast and unless the catamaran was quickly beached, she could be lost. She was therefore made fast to the starboard side of the lifeboat and a quick run was made for Sennen Cove. Haven was reached safely at 1620 and Floral Dancer was beached without damage to either her or to The Vincent Nesfield.

The securing lines were cut and immediately the lifeboat went full astern to save herself being stranded by the rapidly falling tide.

The lifeboat then returned to her station and was rehoused at 1637..