West Division Broken rudder THE HONORARY SECRETARY of Moelfre lifeboat station was informed by Holyhead Coastguard at 0845 on Sunday September 21, 1980, that the yacht July Morn had reported that she was in difficulties, her rudder broken, 100 yards off Llanddona Beach in Red Wharf Bay.

Maroons were fired at 0850 and then minutes later Moelfre's 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat Horace Clarkson launched on service under the command of Coxswain William Roberts.

The wind was north easterly, gale force 8, and the sea was rough with a medium to heavy swell. It was half an hour after high water and the ebb stream was setting westerly at about half a knot. Visibility was poor, less than 500 yards for most of the service.

After launching, Coxswain Will Roberts set course south east by south and headed towards Red Wharf Bay.

Despite repeated attempts, no direct radio communication was established between the lifeboat and the yacht, although Holyhead Coastguard, via Anglesey Coastguard mobile and Penmon lookout, was able to communicate with both boats. Using the Coastguard to relay messages, the lifeboat asked the yacht for her position and the depth of water in her vicinity. July Morn gave her position as two miles off Red Wharf Bay and the depth of water as. 35 feet.

Shortly after, at 0922, the lifeboat picked the yacht up on her radar, at half a mile range, and then, a few minutes later, July Morn was sighted a quarter of a mile away.

As the lifeboat approached, the yacht was seen to be a 33ft ketch. She was almost a mile west by south of Careg Onnen Quarry, her bows pointing east.

Apparently she had hit a sandbank about half a mile off Trwyn Dwlban Head, damaging her rudder, and she had then headed east across Red Wharf Bay, using her engine and the wind to steer. Waves were breaking over the yacht and she was barely under control.

Coxswain Roberts decided to try to tow July Morn rather than take off her crew, a man and a woman, who were exhausted. The gale was still blowingfrom the north east, but in the shallow water near the yacht the seas were broken and confused and about 12 feet high.

After approaching the casualty, at 0930, Coxswain Roberts decided to put Second Coxswain John Thomas aboard.

The lifeboat came up astern of the yacht and with skilful seamanship Coxswain Roberts managed to put her bow against the yacht long enough for the second coxswain to jump aboard, taking a towline with him. The lifeboat then drew off seaward and took station off July Morn's port bow.

On board the yacht Second Coxswain Thomas made the towline fast, passing it through a fairlead forward. Coxswain Roberts then headed east towards Puffin Sound and the shelter of the Menai Straits. The fairlead, however, had .sharp edges and frayed the tow rope. Despite the use of a towing sleeve and towels from the yacht, the tow rope parted 11 times in the 3'/2 miles from the start of the tow until the two boats finally passed through Puffin Sound. It took three hours to cover this distance during which time Second Coxswain Thomas was constantly exposed to the full force of the sea; several times he was nearly swept overboard. Each time the tow parted a high degree of seamanship was demanded in manoeuvring the lifeboat to pass it again. For the final difficult leg through Puffin Sound Coxswain Roberts ordered a second line to be passed, a decision which was to prove vital because the main tow parted yet again in those confined waters.

During the course of the morning the sun had appeared and visibility improved dramatically although the gale continued unabated and the sea did not lessen until the shelter of Menai Straits was reached.

No further problems were experienced down the straits and the yacht was left at her moorings near Menai Bridge. Having satisfied himself that her crew needed no more help, Coxswain Roberts, at 1335, put his lifeboat on moorings at Beaumaris. Moelfre lifeboat returned to station the next day, arriving at 1115, having rescued two children being blown out to sea in an inflatable dinghy on the way.

For this service framed letters of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, were presented to Coxswain William J. Roberts and Second Coxswain John M. Thomas.

A letter of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Motor Mechanic Evan O. Jones.

South Western Division Gale search A 999 CALL was received by Hartland Coastguard at 2125 on Saturday April 25 from the owner and skipper of the 55ft auxiliary ketch Springtide. He told them that the yacht had been moored in an exposed position in Ilfracombe Harbour; preparing to move her to a position more sheltered from the force 8 to 9 northerly gale, he had jumped ashore to let go the mooring lines; the yacht had been blown clear of the quay and hehad been unable to get back on board her. The yacht, with three people on board, a 20-year-old man, a girl of 16 and a boy of 12, had then steamed out to sea to ride out the gale. The owner was confident that the young man on board had the experience and ability to handle the boat, but he asked the Coastguard to establish radio contact with the yacht to find out her intentions.

Radio contact was never established.

At 2150 the owner was told that the yacht was not replying to radio calls but she could be seen by a Coastguard auxiliary.

At 2205 the Coastguard telephoned the honorary secretary of Ilfracombe lifeboat station, but he was ill in bed. At the same time, however, the deputy launching authority arrived at the pier having seen the Coastguard Landrover pass. Seeing the yacht offshore he immediately arranged for the crew to be called by runner.

At 2220 the yacht disappeared from the sight of those watching on the pier.

She had run ashore at Capstone Point in the vicinity of Forty Steps. The DLA was asked to launched the lifeboat and maroons were fired immediately. The crew and shore helpers were already assembled and the lifeboat, the 37ft Oakley Lloyds II, was hauled out of her boathouse at 2222.

Heard Lane Slipway, down which Ilfracombe lifeboat is normally launched, could not be used because it was undergoing structural alterations as part of harbour works. The lifeboat was therefore taken on her carriage to the old slipway at the Brittania Hotel which was being used temporarily during this period. Despite having difficulty in negotiation parked vehicles along the road to the slipway and having to overcome a broken towing-hitch, caused when the tractor and carriage jackknifed on a bank of soft sand which had built up at the foot of the slipway, the lifeboat was launched on service at 2252. It was half an hour after high water.

When the lifeboat steamed clear of the harbour pier she met very rough seas thrown up by the gale blowing fromthe north north east; it was gusting to strong gale force 9. Coxswain David Clemence ordered every man to attach himself to the boat by his lifeline. Five minutes after launching the lifeboat was on the scene and, with an RAF Whirlwind helicopter from Chivenor, searching the sea and rocks around Capstone Point.

The helicopter could not lower a man on to the stranded ketch because of the height of her mast and rigging, and as the yacht had been carried over a large rock, she was inaccessible from the lifeboat.

A girl was recovered by the helicopter from the sea slightly west of the casualty at 2320; she was injured and so was flown ashore to an ambulance. At 2347 the helicopter returned to base to refuel while the lifeboat continued to search the area to the west of the casualty as the tide was now setting down the Bristol Channel.

It was learned at 0020 on Sunday April 26 that the girl survivor had said that a gas bottle had exploded aboard the yacht when about half a mile off shore. The three people on board had donned lifejackets and then jumped overboard.

The crew of the lifeboat endured considerable discomfort during the search.

The cockpit was often swamped by seas coming aboard and Coxswain Clemence was almost washed from the wheel on several occasions. Great concentration was needed to take the lifeboat across the breaking seas while searching very close in to the very rocky lee shore.

Despite the efforts of the lifeboat crew, the helicopter crew (back taking part in the search by 0038) two Coastguard cliff rescue companies searching the foreshore and two Fire Brigade units providing additional lighting, neither the young man nor the boy from the yacht was found. The search continued until 0240, when the lifeboat returned to harbour. She arrived at 0315 and was recovered, rehoused, refuelled and ready for service at 0435.

For this service a framed letter of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, was presented to Coxswain David W. G.

Clemence.

Ireland Division Standing into danger A MOTOR CRUISER, Temple Queen, unsure of her position in a dangerous area just north of the entrance to Strangford Lough was reported to Portaferry lifeboat station by Belfast Coastguard at1900 on Sunday May 17. It was a fair evening but a strong breeze, force 6, was blowing from the south and the seas were rough.

Portaferry's Mark IV Zodiac inflatable lifeboat was launched at 1910 manned by Helmsman J. Desmond Rogers and Crew Members O. John Murray and William Reid. When, ten minutes later, the motor cruiser was reached it was found that her crew were exhausted and that she was standing into danger. Giving command of the lifeboat to Crew Member Murray, Helmsman Rogers himself boarded Temple Queen and piloted her in to Portaferry, escorted by the lifeboat. The two boats arrived alongside the quay at 1935.

The lifeboat was rehoused and once again ready for service at 1945.

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

Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Helmsman J. Desmond Rogers.South Eastern Division Capsized motor cruiser THE DUTY COASTGUARD on watch in the lookout of Solent MRSC on the spring bankholiday Monday, May 25, reported at 1256 that a vessel had capsized in the vicinity of the Shingles Bank Elbow Buoy at the western approaches to the Solent; two people were then spotted in the water. An RN helicopter from HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-Solent, was immediately scrambled, the honorary secretary of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, lifeboat station was informed and a PAN broadcast made to attract the attention of yachts in the area. One yacht without radio saw the capsized boat and turned to try to help; unable to do so, she made red smoke to attract attention.

Pippin II, a fast cabin cruiser from Yarmouth, responded to the broadcast and set out at 30 knots at 1301, followed shortly afterwards by the dredger Arco Tyne which was working just outside the Bridge reef, running west from theNeedles. Yarmouth's 52ft Arun lifeboat Joy and John Wade slipped her moorings at 1305 under the command of Coxswain David Kennett.

A gale, gusting up to force 8, was blowing from the south west, with intermittent rain, and the sea was choppy; high water was at 1532. It was later learned that the motor cruiser Schesaplana had been on passage from Poole to the Solent. She was crossing the Shingles Bank when, while turning, she met three large waves and capsized.

The helicopter arrived overhead at 1316, recovered a man and woman from the water and flew them to Haslar Hospital; it was then confirmed that there had been four people on board.

"Meanwhile Yarmouth lifeboat had arrived on scene. She found that a member of MY Pippiri's crew, Mr F.

Northgraves of Fareham, had gone over the side and, clinging to the stern of the motor yacht, was supporting one of Schesaplana's crew, a woman. Judgingit inadvisable for the Arun to approach, Coxswain Kennett ordered away the Y class inflatable dinghy carried on board to recover both people. The dinghy was launched and, manned by Crew Members Mark Rushton and Clive Smith, successfully picked up the woman and Mr Northgraves and transferred them to the lifeboat; in the gale force winds and rough water it was a difficult operation.

The woman was then taken below and given first aid.

One man was still missing and for the search which followed Coxswain Kennett acted as 'on scene commander', except for a short break when the woman, whose condition began to give cause for concern, was landed at Yarmouth to be taken to hospital by ambulance; during that period Arco Tyne coordinated the surface search. By now the helicopter had returned and a number of other boats had joined the search; they included Lymington's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat, MY Pippiri II, the Needles pilot launch, Lepe Red rescue boat, FV Rowella and several yachts, among them Riga andSiriolla. A search pattern was made and the search was continued until 1600 but, although wreckage was found from Schesaplana, there was no sign of the missing man.

The lifeboat was back on her mooring, ready for service at 1620.

Sadly, the woman who had been rescued by the helicopter later died.

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

Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Mr F. Northgraves. A letter signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, expressing appreciation to Crew Members Mark Rushton and Clive Smith was sent to Yarmouth station honorary secretary, Mr D. B.

Huff am.

Scotland (South) Division Flooding tide A PARTY of four wildfowlers, caravanning at Burnfoot on the Nith Estuary, on the north side of the Solway Firth, set off shooting at about 0730 on Monday January 19. It was about two hours after low water. Two of the party set off across the sandbanks which were dried at the time while the other two men stayed on shore.

At 0900 the two men on shore realised that the tide was flooding fast and that their two colleagues on the sandbanks would soon be cut off. They tried to attract their attention by firing their guns in the air, but without success.

By 0930 one of the wildfowlers out in the estuary was seen to be up to his waist in water; the other, further away, was still on a sandbank showing above the water. One of the men on shore, Stephen Latham of Melton Mowbray, ran to a cottage near the caravan and called Ramsey Coastguard by telephone.

Then he inflated a very small inflatable dinghy—little more than a toy, but the only boat available—and set out towards the wildfowler in the deeper water. He was prevented from reaching this man, however, by the moderate to fresh west-north-westerly breeze which, in the squalls of rain, gusted up to gale force, and by the strong flooding tide which was setting to the north. Wind and tide eventually set him towards the second man.

At 1030, while Mr Latham was trying to get this man aboard, the dinghy capsized so that both men were now in the water but both were able to keep a hold on the dinghy. Meanwhile a Sea King helicopter had been scrambled from RN Prestwick. She was overhead at 1055 and within minutes had winched these two men to safety.

The remaining man, last seen with the water up to his waist, had by this time disappeared. The helicopter continued to search and at 1250 the honorary secretary of Silloth lifeboat station was informed that a man was missing in Nith Estuary. Silloth's Atlantic 21 rigidinflatable lifeboat was launched at 1310 under the command of Helmsman Colin Akitt and made for Borron Point at the mouth of the River Nith. Keeping in contact with Drumore Coastguard mobile, she searched up the channel towards Glencaple.

Just after 1330 the body of the missing wildfowler was found and recovered by the helicopter. The lifeboat was released at 1350 and she was once again rehoused and ready for service at 1435.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Stephen E. Latham.

North East Division Search in surf A REPORT that Runswick Bay Yacht Club safety boat had capsized on the east side of the bay came to Staithes and Runswick lifeboat station from HM Coastguard at 1444 on Sunday June 21.

Although it was a fine day with only light variable winds, there was a heavy swell which was breaking inshore.

Members of the lifeboat crew were already at the boathouse and the Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat was launched in four minutes manned by Helmsman Iain Baxter and Crew Members Sean Baxter and Martin Hopkinson.

The lifeboat reached the area of the casualty at 1500 and, going in through the heavy surf, saw the club boat being washed ashore. A little while later two men who had struggled to safety through the surf were also seen on the beach, but it was thought that there might be other people still in the water.

The lifeboat continued the search in the heavy surf, therefore, until the Coastguard mobile was able to confirm that there had only been the two crew in the club boat and no one else was missing.

The Atlantic 21 then returned to station and she was once again rehoused and ready for service at 1547.

For this service a letter signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, expressing the Institution's appreciation to the lifeboat crew, was sent to-Mr J.

C. James, Staithes and Runswick station honorary secretary. Runswick Bay Yacht Club makes a considerable contribution to local branch funds each year.

Eastern Division Racing dinghies ON AN OVERCAST Sunday morning, May 3, dinghies from several sailing clubs on the River Blackwater had started racing when they were overtaken by deteriorating weather; soon after 1100 the strong westerly breeze was already gusting up to near gale, force 7, with a forecast of worse to come.

While heading up river on a routine patrol, Bradwell Coastguard boat (CGB) saw, at 1120, several dinghies capsize. Most were soon righted by their crews, only one needing help; the CGB recovered the two dinghy sailors, righted their boat and took her in tow for Stone. Within minutes, however, more dinghies had capsized, so the CGB anchored the dinghy she had in tow and went to help club rescue boats while Bradwell Coastguard requested lifeboat assistance.

West Mersea Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat had just arrived back on station from exercise during which she had already been helping a club rescue boat with capsized dinghies. Crew Member Simon Broadhurst had in fact gone overboard to help dinghy sailors in the water with their boat.

The Atlantic 21 set off again immediately manned by Helmsman James Clarke and Crew Members Leonard Broadhurst and Charles R. Taylor. She joined the other rescue boats helping to right capsized dinghies and tow them to shelter with their crews. Some dinghy sailors were taken off lee shores and the lifeboat helped check that those people who had had to abandon their boats were safe.

By 1150 the Police launch Alert II was on her way from Brightlingsea at full speed to help. By 1220 it was still not possible for the clubs to confirm that everyone was accounted for because of the number of boats now abandoned whose crews were ashore in different places. So Thames Coastguard re-quested that an RAF helicopter from Mansion should scramble to make a general search of the Blackwater. Starting at Sales Point in the river estuary, the helicopter 'hopped' from one boat to another, cross checking the description of apparently abandoned boats with the CGB and the lifeboat.

At 1251 it was reported that one 505 dinghy and one GP14 dinghy, each with a crew of two, were unaccounted for.

Within minutes the lifeboat was able to confirm that she had the missing GP14 in tow and that the crew of the 505 had been rescued.

By 1300 the helicopter had checked all craft within the river and reported that all appeared in hand except for a speedboat with two people on board which had broken down north of Osea Island. By the time the CGB reached her, however, her engine had been repaired and she was making her way to Maldon.

On returning to Bradwell marina, towing abandoned boats, the CGB and Alert II learned of a small swamped pram dinghy which had drifted out of the creek. They checked round the moorings and found that the pram had overturned while alongside a yacht unloading. A woman and a boy had already boarded the yacht; a man had been thrown into the water but had been hauled safely aboard the yacht.

After taking the GP14 to Stone and landing her crew, the lifeboat helped another capsized dinghy in Lawling Creek. By then her fuel was running low so she returned to station, arriving at 1345. By 1400 the Police, Coastguard and club boats had all returned to their stations.

For this service a letter signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, expressing the Institution's appreciation to the lifeboat crew, was sent to Lt-Cdr Maurice W. Bond, West Mersea station honorary secretary.

South Western Division Dinghy and catamaran A TELEPHONE MESSAGE from HM CoaStguard at 1410 on Saturday March 28 informed Mudeford lifeboat station that a sailing dinghy had capsized on Mudeford sand bar; her mast was broken and she was in difficulties. A moderate breeze, force 4, was blowing from the south west and the sea was choppy.

Within minutes Mudeford's Mark IV Zodiac inflatable lifeboat had been launched with Helmsman David Sweetman and Crew Member John Sutton as her crew.

The lifeboat reached the capsized dinghy at 1420 and helped her crew of two cut away the damaged rigging. The boat was then taken in tow back to Mudeford, arriving at 1455. By 1500 the lifeboat was rehoused and once again ready for service.

A few weeks later, on Thursday April 30, Mudeford's D class inflatable lifeboat launched at 1315, manned by Helmsman Brian Stride and Crew Members Paul Walker and Dale Parker, to go to the help of a catamaran, being sailed single handed, which had capsized off Southbourne. A fresh breeze, force 5, was blowing from the west and the sea was choppy; the tide was ebbing.

When the lifeboat reached the catamaran at 1329 Crew Member Parker transferred to the upturned boat and helped to right her. The catamaran started to sail back but had soon capsized again; her helmsman was then taken on board the lifeboat. Crew Member Parker boarded the catamaran and righted her once more, this time taking the sails down and making all fast. Then the lifeboat towed her back to the beach where her owner had a trailer. The lifeboat returned to station at 1410 and was rehoused and once again ready for service at 1428.

Scotland (North) Division Two fishing vessels A MOTOR FISHING VESSEL sinking off Sarclett Head on her way back from fishing grounds was reported to the honorary secretary of Wick lifeboat station at 0135 on Thursday May 21 by HM Coastguard. The lifeboat crew were assembled and Wick's 48ft 6in Oakley Princess Marina launched at 0145 under the command of Coxswain Donald McKay. A gentle to moderate breeze, force 3i to 4, was blowing from the southeast, the sea was slight but it was a hazy night and visibility was poor. It was almost high water.

While the lifeboat was on her way to the stricken fishing boat, five miles south of Wick, the Coastguard received radio messages from MFV Restless Wave and MFV Maid of Honour saying that they were also steaming for the last known position of the casualty.

When, at about 0220, the lifeboat arrived off Sarclett Head she sighted flares which guided her to a liferaft in which were the four crew of MFV Andreas, which had now sunk. The four men and the liferaft were taken on board the lifeboat, which returned to station and landed the survivors at Wick Harbour at 0310.

A fortnight later, on Thursday June 4, the fishing vessel Scottish Maid on passage from Wick to Kirkwall went ashore half a mile south of Noss Head Light; there were three men on board.

It was a fine night with variable light breezes, a slight sea and good visibility.

A message came to the honorary secretary from the Coastguard at 0035 and at 0050 Princess Marina launched, once again under the command of Coxswain McKay. It was high water.

At 0105 Coxswain McKay was informed by radio that Scottish Maid's crew were in a liferaft astern of their boat. Five minutes later the lifeboat reached the stranded vessel and the best means of approach was planned, taking into account the rocky coastline. The master was asked to join his crew in the liferaft, which was then taken alongside the lifeboat. The three fishermen were taken on board and with the liferaft in tow Princess Marina returned to station. She arrived at 0145 and was rehoused and ready for service at 0200.

West Division Two calls A SURF BOARD sailor, sitting on his board trying without success to paddle back to shore against an offshore breeze was reported to the deputy launching authority of Ramsey lifeboat station by HM Coastguard at 1530 on Friday June 5.

The Coastguard had been unable to find a shore boat which could help.

Ramsey's 37ft Oakley James Ball Ritchie launched at 1544 under the command of Coxswain Lawrence Gawne and headed for the surf board, IVz miles south east of the station. It was a fine afternoon with a gentle to moderate south-westerly breeze and a slight sea.

The tide had been ebbing for an hour and a half. The man, by this time exhausted, was taken on board the lifeboat at 1556 and put ashore at Ramsey at 1604. He was taken 'home by the Coastguard.

On Saturday June 13, at 0420, red flares were sighted east of the station by Ramsey Coastguard. It was an overcast morning with a gale force 8 blowing from the south. The sea was rough and it was an hour after low water.

James Ball Ritchie launched at 0439 under the command of Coxswain Gawne and reached the auxiliary yacht Shaula at 0455. As the lifeboat came within hailing distance she was told that the yacht could not make any progress in the southerly gale and her propeller was fouled; there were three men on board. A tow rope was passed and the lifeboat towed the yacht into more sheltered waters to wait the tide into Ramsey Harbour; she was safely berthed in harbour at 0600.

The lifeboat remained moored afloat in harbour for the time being as there were other yachts still sheltering from the gale in Ramsey Bay, but she was once again rehoused by 0815.

West Division Broken in two A MESSAGE from HM Coastguard was received by New Brighton lifeboat station at 1438 on Saturday July 11 to say that a motorboat, Mary, was in trouble off New Brighton bathing pool; she was taking in water.

The lifeboat crew were already at the boathouse making ready for the dedication ceremony the next week of their new Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat.

Maroons were fired at 1440 and the lifeboat was launched from Portland Slip at 1445 under the command of Helmsman Ian Campbell; with him were Crew Members Anthony Jones, Michael Jones and Robert Robertson.

It was a fine afternoon, but a fresh breeze, force 5, was blowing from the west north west and the sea was very rough. It was just after low water.

The lifeboat first made for the position she had been given off the bathing pool, where there were a number of pleasure boats. Seeing one boat with a fishing party on board which appeared to be lying low by the stern, Helmsman Campbell went alongside, but it was not this vessel which needed help.

At this point, Helmsman Campbell decided that Mary must be further out to sea and further to the west, so he set off in that direction at full speed. While on the way, he received information from the coastguard that Mary, a 30ft ex-ship's lifeboat, was lying between Askew Spit and Little Burbo Bank, six miles north north west, and she was being pounded by heavy surf; there were two people on board.

The Atlantic 21 found Mary at 1522.

The owner's wife was taken on board the lifeboat and an attempt made to tow the casualty into calmer water. Very little headway could be made, however, as the boat was still taking water and her pumps could not clear it. Helmsman Campbell decided that Mary should drop anchor and the owner be taken off. On the way back to station a request was made for an ambulance.

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After landing the two people at 1605, the lifeboat returned to Mary with the idea of taking her in tow again, but she had taken in much more water and it was decided to leave her and return to station. The Atlantic 21 was back at the slip at 1705 and was washed down, refuelled and ready for service at 1745. By now Mary, which had been on passage from the Isle of Man to Birkenhead, was under water with only her mast visible and she was later found to have broken in two.

For this service, a letter signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, expressing appreciation to Helmsman Ian M. Campbell and his crew was sent to the station Honorary Secretary, Captain J. A. Billington.

Eastern Division Two dogs TWO CERTIFICATES OF MERIT have been awarded by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to lifeboatmen of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston; one to the crew of the 44ft Waveney lifeboat Barham who rescued a dog on August 31, 1980, and one to the crew of the Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat who launched to help another dog on January 4, 1981.

Barham was out on exercise on Sunday morning, August 31, when a message was received from the Coastguard that a dog was in the water near the Links Hotel, two miles south west of the pier heads, and a man was trying to swim out to rescue it. A moderate to fresh breeze was blowing from north north east and the sea was very rough.

The lifeboat made for the position and sighted the dog about 50 yards offshore.

To reach him Coxswain Richard Hawkins had to manoeuvre between groynes with less than four feet of water under the boat. Then Second Coxswain Michael Brown, wearing his lifejacket and secured with a line, went over the side and recovered the dog. The owner, who had made his own way back to the shore, collected his dog from the lifeboat station and made a contribution to branch funds. After this service a number of other dog lovers also came up to the lifeboat pen to make appreciative donations.

On Sunday January 4 the Coastguard sighted a dog in the river about a quarter of a mile from the harbour mouth; once again, the owner was trying to rescue it. The afternoon was overcast and wintry, with a fresh to strong breeze blowing from the north continued on page 248.