Coble escort FLAMBOROUGH COASTGUARD told the honorary secretary of Flamborough lifeboat station at 1030 on Friday January 16 that the fishing coble Silver Line was hauling her lines north of Flamborough Head in heavy snow with a heavy northerly sea. All Filey cobles had returned to harbour escorted by Filey lifeboat and Silver Line would have to round the headland and make for Bridlington after recovery of her lines. A strong breeze, force 6, was blowing from the south east.

Silver Line could not be contacted by radio so the honorary secretary of Flamborough station and Coxswain James Major went to the cliff top from where they could see the coble. She was in a very dangerous position and it was decided that she would need to be escorted round the headland to harbour.

Maroons were fired at 1045 and Flamborough lifeboat, the 35ft 6in Liverpool Friendly Forester, was prepared for launching.

It was three hours before high water and the heavy, confused and breakingseas were coming from the worst direction for launching at Flamborough. The first attempt to launch into these seas failed because the haul-off warp anchor did not hold but started to pull home.

The lifeboat was hauled back on to her slipway to stand by for a launch as the tide made. The coble remained in the same position under the watch of the lifeboatmen.

At 1220, one hour before high water, Friendly Forester launched successfully into the very rough seas and continuous snow. By 1230 the lifeboat was in company with the coble and escorted her in to Bridlington Harbour. Both boats were safely berthed at 1345. As the weather was too bad for the lifeboat to be recovered at Flamborough, Friendly Forester remained in Bridlington Harbour overnight and was rehoused at her own station by 1630 on January 17.

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

Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Coxswain James Major, his crew and the shore helpers of Flamborough..