Two calls ON THE MORNING of Friday August 13, 1982, a message came at 1148 from Thames Coastguard informing Aideburgh lifeboat station of a fishing vessel, Cachalot, which had broken down; she was anchored between Orfordness and Weir Point but, with a strong breeze, force 6 and freshening, blowing from the south south west and rough seas, she was in danger of dragging ashore.

Aldeburgh's 37ft 6in Rother lifeboatJames Cable launched at 1158 under the command of Coxswain William Burrell, BEM, and set out on a southerly course.

Cachalot was reached at 1248 and found to have a crew of two. By that time the wind had increased to near gale, force 7. The fishing vessel weighed anchor, a tow rope was passed and the lifeboat towed her into the River Ore, leaving her safely moored alongside another fishing vessel at 1340.

James Cable had just started on her return passage to Aldeburgh when, at 1345, a radio message was received from Thames Coastguard reporting that the yacht Wombat was in difficulties five miles south east of Sizewell. The lifeboat altered course and about an hour and a half later came up with Wombat; she was found to be a 19ft yacht, disabled, with a crew of three and she was being escorted by the 24ft yacht Mako. The gale had now increased to force 8 and the sea was very rough.

Wombat, which was on passage from Holland to Orford, had been in difficulties since about midnight. Her standing rigging had been damaged so that she had had to make temporary repairs, and she had been uncertain of her position.

Another yacht which had been in company with Wombat had had to go on ahead when her own navigation lights failed, to avoid collision. Mako, however, had kept company with the limping yacht, helping her with navigation.

It had been a prolonged and testing escort because, in order to maintain enough speed to manoeuvre in the waves, Mako had had to keep circling round Wombat. When, during the hours of darkness, Wombat's navigation lights also failed, keeping station with her had proved very difficult.

By midmorning, with the wind rising, the repairs to Wombat's standing rigging were beginning to fail, and Mako's crew were worried that if the smaller yacht's mast did come down they might lose track of her in the rough seas; there was also the worry that, although a well maintained yacht, in that weather and with contant gybing and tacking to keep station, Mako herself might well break some gear.

When the lifeboat arrived she went alongside Wombat, took off the three crew and then took the yacht in tow to the River Ore and up to Orford Quay, arriving at 1700, Mako's crew were now able to increase sail to get full control of their yacht and continue at their own speed. James Cable was back on station at 1934 and once again ready for service at 2010.

A few days after this service the following letter, very much appreciated, was received by Coxswain Burrell from Mako's owner: 'You may remember the incident off Orfordness Lighthouse . . . This letter is merely to express my admiration to youand your crew, making difficult conditions look like a Sunday walk. I would like to stress that the very presence of the lifeboat gave a tremendous amount of reassurance to all who saw her, inspiring confidence even in those not needing help . . . By midmorning Wombat was in trouble . . . her makeshift repairs to the standing rigging were beginning to fail for the second time: however, the courage of the girl on board her astounded Mako's crew. She was under water, feet above her back lying on the cabin roof, constantly swept by green water as she worked on the foredeck changing foresails and yet she went back again several times to crawl over the cabin to complete the work as best she could . . .

'When you and your crew of brave gentlemen arrived, the relief with which Mako's crew were able to shed the responsibility was enormous. Suddenly we could look to ourselves, put up the sail we needed to control the boat and start trying to avoid the breakers instead of just having to do the best we could (Mako is a very light 24ft racing keelboat).

'The waves in the overfalls off Orfordness were quite large for Mako, in wind against tide conditions, but we had to use the favourable tide to best advantage, so we had to go through them. But now the :hip had speed up she could be made to dodge the worst of them. Your presence up wind was most reassuring.

'So, I have to buy a new Shoreline flag, as my old Yachtsmen's Lifeboat Supporters ' Association one got rather shredded in that wind! I cannot thank you enough for being around, and I am very aware that whereas the seas built up gradually for us, you are always suddenly thrown into the middle of it. Please accept the enclosed cheque—and it comes with great respect from the crew of Mako.'.