Ten small boats WEST MERSEA deputy launching authority was informed by HM Coastguard at 1652 on Saturday May 26, 1979, that an upturned sailing dinghy had been sighted l'/2 miles east of Shinglehead Point. Maroons were fired and at 1700 West Mersea Atlantic 21 ILB launched on service manned by Helmsman James Clarke and Crew Members Jonathan French and Graham Knott.

It was a fine, clear evening but a strong gale, force 9, was blowing from the south. It was two hours before low water springs. The sea was only slight at the launching position and the ILB set out at full speed for the casualty, l'/2 miles from the station. As soon as the shelter of Cobmarsh Island was cleared, however, she met the full force of the winds and steep, breaking seas of eight to ten feet. Continuous blown spray reduced visibility.

The ILB and Bradwell Coastguard GP boat reached the capsized dinghy at the same time, 1710. No survivors could be seen in the water and Crew Member French went overside and under the upturned hull to see if anyone were trapped inside. No one was found, the dinghy was righted and then, with great difficulty, Crew Member French was brought back on board.

A search was started for the missing dinghy sailors, the ILB heading down tide and the Coastguard boat heading down wind. Meanwhile an RAF helicopter had been scrambled from Mansion.

At 1718 it was confirmed that the two missing men had swum ashore and were safe, and the ILB escorted the Coastguard boat to the lee of Bradwell, arriving at 1728.

West Mersea ILB, joined by the helicopter, then continued searching for, checking and escorting the many small boats in the area caught out by the bad weather. At 1740 Stone Sailing Club rescue boat was in trouble with one of her crew in the water off Thirslet Spit; the ILB stood by while the man was lifted by helicopter and flown to Southend Hospital.

The task of shepherding was continued and at 1807 Crew Member Knott was landed near Mill Creek to check a casualty on the mud flats. After warning the boat's single-handed crew not to try to launch again, he was lifted back on to the ILB by the helicopter.

At 1835 the helicopter returned to base and at 1850, after the crew hadassured themselves that no small boats were in any possible danger, the ILB returned to station, arriving at 1910.

She was refuelled and once again ready for service at 1925. In the two hours and ten minutes she had been on service in severe gale force winds gusting to 50 knots and steep seas of up to 12 feet, she had given help to about ten boats.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Helmsman James A.

Clarke and Crew Member Jonathan P.

French. A vellum service certificate was presented to Crew Member Graham M. Knott..