Two capsizes A SMALL COBLE, John Dory, with four anglers on board was reported capsized close inshore off Cullercoats, l'/2 miles north of Tyne Piers, on Sunday morning February 22. The message came toTyne Coastguard from the coble Flying Spray at 1013. A Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer already in flight on a training exercise off Beadnell was diverted to the scene of the casualty at 1015. Three minutes later the honorary secretary of Tynemouth lifeboat station was informed of the capsize and he replied that the D class inflatable lifeboat would launch.

It was one hour before low water with a moderate to fresh breeze, force 4 to 5, blowing from the south east and a moderate to heavy swell breaking as surf in places along the shore. There were occasional snow flurries.

At 1027 the inflatable lifeboat, manned by Helmsman Stuart Brown and Crew Members James Griffiths and Graeme Boyd, was reported under way. On clearing Tyne Piers she was forced to moderate her speed in the heavy going and continue on her way with caution. At 1033 Tyne Coastguard mobile passed a message advising her not to go in too close because very heavy seas were breaking and the helicopter had arrived.

By the time the inflatable lifeboat reached the scene of the capsize, at 1040, the helicopter had already winched up two men and a third was scrambling ashore. Nothing could be seen from the air of the fourth fisherman and at 1042 the helicopter reported that both the men she had picked up were in a critical state and needed to be flown to hospital immediately.

As the helicopter would be away from the scene, taking the survivors ashore, Tynemouth honorary secretary informed the Coastguard that the 52ft Arun lifeboat George and Olive Turner would launch in support of the D class inflatable lifeboat.

In the meantime the crew of the inflatable lifeboat decided that they were the only chance for the remaining man in the water and that they should go in towards the wreckage and search as best they could in the surf and among the rocks. Aware of the dangers, they inflated their lifejackets fully before making a first run in as close to the wreckage as possible. It quickly became clear just how difficult and dangerous searching in those waters was going to be: apart from the hazards presented by debris and ropes from the capsized boat, when in the bottom of a trough the crew could see the kelp and rocks under the surface. They took the lifeboat out into deeper water and then, with more knowledge of the lie of the land, made two more runs in, searching parallel with the rock ends.

Having received confirmation from the Coastguard that there was still one man missing, it was decided to make another run in. Just as the crew were turning the inflatable lifeboat ready for the run she was struck by an extra large wave, about 10 foot high, which was breaking along its length. It caught the lifeboat on her starboard quarter pivoting her on her port shoulder and capsizing her. Helmsman Brown was washed away clear of the lifeboat, Crew Member Boyd was trapped under the hull and Crew Member Griffiths was close alongside the boat.

James Griffiths was aware that Graeme Boyd was underneath the hull but was not able either to lift the boat or get under the sponson because of his inflated lifejacket. Graeme Boyd could not get out, at first, for the same reason. However, air was trapped in the fore-end of the boat under the canopy and, although he was being thrown against the anchor and the still 'talking' radio, there was enough air for him to regain his strength so that, choosing the right moment in rhythm with the boat's movement, he was able to force himself under the sponson.

Another large wave then struck the inflatable lifeboat and separated the two men. Graeme Boyd was washed away while James Griffiths, who had tried unsuccessfully to hang on to him, managed to climb on to the upturned hull and was washed on to the rocks; he managed to scramble ashore, keeping a firm hold on the inflatable lifeboat.

The helicopter had landed the anglers from John Dory and was on her way back when she heard on the radio that the inflatable lifeboat had capsized.

As soon as she arrived she winched up Graeme Boyd and Stuart Brown and landed them on the rocks before continuing the search for the missing fisherman; he was eventually found but unfortunately had been trapped under water and was already dead.

The three lifeboatmen were later taken to hospital for a check up and observation.

The 52ft Arun lifeboat had slipped her moorings in the River Tyne at 1055.

By the time she arrived off Cullercoats at 1109 all the crew from the smaller lifeboat were safely ashore, but the Arun, unable to come close inshore herself to help search, stood by until the body of the missing angler had been landed on the beach at about 1120. She was back on her moorings ready for service at 1150.

Crew members from Cullercoats, a summer only D class lifeboat station, helped crew members who had come overland from Tynemouth to recover their boat. She was taken back by road to Tynemouth where a 40hp outboard engine waiting to be used on the station's new boarding boat was available.

The inflatable lifeboat was checked and taken out on exercise before being placed on service again at 1700.

Meanwhile arrangements had been made through the duty staff officer at Poole headquarters for replacements to be sent to Tynemouth the next day.

When they arrived the divisional inspector of lifeboat for the North East, Lt Alan Tate, was at the lifeboat station.

Defective and missing items on the station's own boat were replaced and she was inspected and taken out on exercise to confirm that she couldremain on station. During this exercise the boat was called on service to a position half a mile north of the spot where the fishing coble had capsized on the previous day. Wind and sea were similar, and the boat and all her equipment worked perfectly: there was no need even to change the radio.

Sadly, one of the fishermen who had been rescued by helicopter did not recover, but died in hospital some days later.

For this service a letter signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the RNLI, expressing the Institution's appreciation to the crew of the Sea King helicopter, and in particular to Flight Sergeant Jock Menmuir, the winchman, was sent to the commanding officer of RAF Boulmer. Letters signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, expressing the Institution's appreciation to crew members of Tynemouth and Cullercoats lifeboat stations were sent to the honorary secretaries, Mr K. Middlemiss and Mr R. J. Taylor..