Two girls stranded A DOCK POLICEMAN at Hartlepool saw two girls stranded on a sewer pipe near Seaton Beach on the afternoon of Sunday May 27. He informed the Dock Master's office immediately and, as the crew were in the vicinity of the boathouse, the Atlantic 21 ILB Guide Friendship III launched within five minutes; it was 1449. She was manned by Helmsman Michael Elwine and Crew Members J. Stephen Stoddart and Ronald Latcham.

A gentle breeze was blowing fromthe west, the sea was slight and visibility was excellent but the tide, which had been flooding for 3'/2 hours, was still rising.

The water had already risen above the girls' chests and was lapping around their throats when the ILB arrived, and they were unable to move.

Two men, a policeman and a passer by, had tried to walk the sewer pipe to the girls but they, too, were almost up to their necks in water. Crew Members Stoddart and Latcham jumped into the water and swam with the girls to the ILB as she was manoeuvring into position.

The boat then took on board the two men who had been trying to help and returned to station where, in the boathouse, the girls were treated by thecrews' wives for exposure and shock while they awaited the ambulance which had been called.

The ILB was rehoused and ready for service at 1515..