Skipper taken ill THE YACHT Minuet, crossing the Channel from France with a crew of four on board on Thursday August 23, 1979, was making heavy weather and sent out a distress call; she was about eight miles east by north of Dover. HM Coastguard informed the deputy launching authority of Dover lifeboat station of the situation at 1247 and within eight minutes the 44ft Waveney lifeboat Faithful Forester was on her way.

It was an overcast day and the weather was deteriorating. A strong breeze, force 6, gusting to gale force 8 was blowing from the south west and the sea was becoming very rough. It was one hour before high water.

Minuet was found about two miles east of her original position. Her skipper, who was himself unwell and whose crew were suffering from sea sickness, was having great difficulty in handling the yacht, so, at 1335, two members of the lifeboat crew were put aboard. The yacht was taken in tow and. in view of the deteriorating weather. Coxswain Hawkins decided to cross the Goodwin Sands and approach Dover under the shelter of the cliffs.

After about an hour Minuet's skipper became so seriously ill that, as there was helicopter assistance at hand, it was decided he should be lifted off and taken straight to hospital. In those rough seas, however, it was decided he should first be transferred to the lifeboat so that the lift would be less hazardous. The transfer and lift were accomplished safely and the tow was then resumed to Dover.

Before harbour was reached, just after 1600. the south-westerly wind had risen to gale force 8 gusting to strong gale force 9. Once at Dover, the three remaining crew were landed and the yacht moored. Faithful Forester was refuelled and back on her own moorings at 1631.

For this service letters of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J.

Graham, director of the Institution.

continued on page 33were sent to Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic Anthony G. Hawkins, Second Assistant Mechanic Roy W.

Couzens and Crew Members John J.

Smith, David Williams, Geoffrey I.

Buckland and Ernest S. Watson..