Coaster on rocks A VESSEL on the rocks at Prawle Point was reported to the honorary secretary of Salcombe lifeboat station by Prawle Point Coastguard at 2233 on Sunday December 16, 1979. Less than ten minutes later Salcombe's 47ft Watson lifeboat. The Baltic Exchange, under the command of Coxswain John Graham Griffiths, slipped her moorings and set out at full speed.

The wind at Salcombe Harbour Bar was south west strong breeze to near gale, force 6 to 7, but increasing. Visibility was good but decreasing. Thetide was in the first hour of flood.

By 2307 when the lifeboat reached Prawle Point the wind had increased to strong gale, force 9, and she was experiencing very rough seas, estimated at between 30 to 40 feet high; they had been building up before the south-westerly gales which had been blowing for the past week.

Up till this time the Coastguard did not know the identity of the stranded vessel, but Coxswain Griffiths was able to report by VHP radio that she was the coaster Heye P of Ramsey. At first there was no sign of life on board, but then the coxswain reported that there were people in the wheelhouse.

The coaster had gone ashore on Sea Gull Rock, an island separated from Prawle Point by a gully about 80 feet wide through which thundering seas were sluicing from both ends. The Coastguard rescue team on shore was unable to cross the gully and had to set up their lights and equipment on the mainland.

As the coastguards were finding it difficult to get a rocket line across to the casualty. Coxswain Griffiths ordered a line to be fired from the lifeboat. He realised that in the prevailing conditions he would not be able to make a rescue by breeches buoy but hoped that, as he was firing down wind, he would be able to reach the coastguards ashore and haul out their jackstay to the ship. Both Coastguard and lifeboat rocket lines straddled the coaster's wheelhouse, but the wheelhouse was being swept, and occasionally buried, by huge seas and the crew could make no attempt to secure the lines. They indicated that they would like to be taken off by helicopter.

At 2330 the lifeboat anchored and tried to veer down close to the coaster's side, but with the anchor down the lifeboat was pitching violently, shipping very heavy seas forward and snatching at the line. So close was she to dangerous rocks that the anchor was hove in to recover it, but it had to be cut away with an axe by Second Coxswain/ Mechanic Edward Hannaford.

Meanwhile, at 2333, a Sea King helicopter took off from RNAS Culdrose, arriving on scene at 0014. The wind had veered westerly force 9 and seas were breaking over the coaster.

On her first approach, while hovering at about 30 feet, the helicopter was engulfed in dense spray, but with great skill the pilot pulled clear and made another approach.

The Coastguard light was too far from the coaster to give enough help so the casualty was illuminated by the lifeboat searchlight, manned from the foredeck by Assistant Mechanic Brian Cater and Crew Member Frank Smith.

Supporting each other across the rope stowage bin, on the port side forward, they were continually swept by seas.

The position of the lifeboat, very close to the rocks, was maintained by Coxswain Griffiths on helm and engines.

All three of the coaster's crew were lifted off safely one at a time, even though the winch wire became entangled with a signal mast during the second operation.

At 0033 Salcombe lifeboat left the scene and returned to station at 0055.

After refuelling and washing down, she was remoored at 0131.

Before daylight the wheelhouse had been swept from the coaster, which was a total wreck.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain John Graham Griffiths and vellum service certificates were presented to Second Coxswain/ Mechanic Edward Hannaford, Assistant Mechanic Brian Cater and Crew Members Frank Smith, Peter Taylor, Brian Cooper and David Gibbens.

A letter of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Captain W. A. Tofts, RN, commanding officer, RNAS Culdrose..