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..