Tug on fire THAMES COASTGUARD informed Southend- on-Sea lifeboat station at 1130 on Saturday March 21, 1981. that the tug Laity F was on fire near No 3 Sea Reach Buoy. The crew assembled and took the transport down Southend Pier and at 1148 Southend's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat launched on service; she was manned by Helmsman Paul Gilson and Crew Members Glyn Gilson and Paul Manners.

It was an overcast morning but with good visibility. A force 8 gale was blowing from the south west. It was two hours before high water.

The Atlantic's speed had to be kept down to about three-quarters because of short, rough seas and heavy spray, and on her way she was informed that the Sheerness 44ft Waveney lifeboat Helen Turnbull had launched and an RAF Wessex helicopter had been scrambled from Mansion.As the Atlantic approached the tug, at 1154, three men could be seen on deck wearing lifejackets. The heat could be felt from the side of the tug and the men shouted that the fire was in the engine room and it had been battened in. As there was a risk of explosion, Helmsman Gilson immediately took the Atlantic alongside the tug's starboard side, to leeward, and two men were taken off, one a river pilot and one a crew member. The master refused to leave and the Atlantic pulled clear to a safe distance.

The tug was making considerable leeway, so the Atlantic approached again and a rope was put on to the casualty's bow in an attempt to hold her head up to weather. It proved impossible for the Atlantic to hold her, however, and the tow was slipped.

The pilot was not a young man and, as he was getting very wet and being thrown about, the Atlantic asked the helicopter to lift him off; the lift was safely accomplished at 1206.

Sheerness 44ft Waveney lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain/ Mechanic Charles Bowry arrived at 1210. She took the tug in tow and, escorted by Southend's Atlantic 21, made for Leigh River. At 1214 the fire was seen to have burnt itself out and at 1240, in the lee of Marsh End Sands, the tow was passed to the tug Eugenia and Laity's crew member was put back on board!.Both lifeboats returned to their stations.

Southend's Atlantic 21 arrived at 1255 and was rehoused and ready for service at 1310; Sheerness's Waveney arrived back at 1503.

For this service framed letters of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, were presented to Helmsman Paul D. Gilson and Crew Members Glyn D. Gilson and Paul W. Manners..