Two calls IN GALE AND STORM force winds, Torbay lifeboat, the 54ft Arun Edward Bridges (Civil Service No. 37) was launched on service twice on Friday November 14, 1980. The first call came from Brixham Coastguard at 1045: the crabbing trawler Marie des Isles, 20 miles south east of Berry Head, was taking in water and was unable to pump it out. Torbay lifeboat, with a portable pump on board, slipped her moorings at 1103 and headed at full speed for the casualty; she was under the command of Coxswain Arthur Curnow.

It was raining and misty with poorvisibility and, with a southerly near gale, force 9, the sea was very rough. It was IV2 hours after high water neaps, the tidal stream setting north east at three quarters of a knot.

By the time the lifeboat reached the scene, at 1220, the trawler Big Cat One had Marie des Isles under tow and was making for the lee of the land before heading into the wind for Brixham. The wind has risen to storm force 10, driving spray 40 yards to leeward of the crests.

Big Cat One was rolling heavily and the crabber was low in the water and down by the stern.

It would have entailed unacceptable risks to try to transfer the pump to the crabber and the skipper of Marie des Isles radioed that as the water was above the engine and waist deep in the cabin he would like to have his crew taken off. In one well-planned manoeuvre, the lifeboat came alongside and took off all five men. She then returned to Brixham. arriving at 1440 to land the survivors. She was refuelled and once again ready for service at 1500. The crabber sank while under tow..