Two yachts ON SUNDAY June 1, 1980, at 1732, Portland Coastguard reported to a deputy launching authority of Swanage lifeboat station that red flares from one or two yachts had been sighted about five miles south of St Alban's Head.

Maroons were fired and at 1740 the 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat J. Reginald Corah was launched under the command of Coxswain/Mechanic Victor Marsh.

The weather was fine but the tide, in the last hour of the ebb, was setting to the south west at about 4 knots while there was a strong westerly breeze gusting up to near gale, force 7, so that the lifeboat met some very big seas when passing Durlston Head. On the very rough and wet eight-mile passage to the casualties the sea was on her starboard beam.

A helicopter reached the yachts first but, finding that no one on board was injured, left again after guiding the lifeboat in. It was 1840 when J.

Reginald Corah reached the yachts, the 22ft Belle Souris and the 20ft Kaloma.

Belle Souris had a broken rudder and she was shipping a lot of water; with Kaloma standing by, her crew had been trying to make repairs for some time before firing flares. As she had no steerage, it was impossible for Belle Souris to be brought head to sea, but after several attempts, Crew Member Christopher Haw managed to jump aboard her as the yacht came up on the same sea as the lifeboat. While a towline was got aboard and made fast, seas were breaking over both boats.

Kaloma, which had been standing by, was now in difficulties herself because her engine had failed. She, too, was taken in tow, astern of Belle Souris, and the lifeboat headed back for Swanage. The tow was very difficult, calling for considerable skill and ingenuity. Belle Souris, the first of the two boats in the tow, with no rudder, was yawing badly in the rough, following seas. Crew Member Haw tried to bring her under control, first by streaming as many ropes as he could find and then, as that was not effective, by streaming the jib astern to act as a drogue; with the help of this jury drogue, towing became much easier.All was now under control. And then, when some distance had been covered, Kaloma's towline parted. J.

Reginald Corah went about and suggested that the yacht should hoist her storm jib and run in company with the lifeboat. The tide was now turning and the tow continued at about 3 knots with Kaloma coming up about half a mile astern.

Belle Souris was brought safely to moorings at Swanage and then the lifeboat went back and towed Kaloma in too. J. Reginald Corah was rehoused and once more ready for service at 2137.

For this service a letter expressing appreciation to Coxswain/Mechanic Victor Marsh, Crew Member Christopher Haw and other members of the crew and signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Swanage station honorary secretary, Captain D. A. N.

Aldridge..