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..