MFV on lee shore THE LAUNCHING AUTHORITY Of Whitby lifeboat station was informed by Tees Coastguard at 0725 on Thursday April 8, 1982, that the coaster Nesam had observed the 60ft fishing vessel Rayella broken down in an onshore gale three to four miles east of Whitby; it was requested that the lifeboat should prepare for a call. The crew assembled at the boathouse and after discussion between Coxswain/Mechanic Peter Thomson and the launching authority it was decided that the lifeboat should launch to stand by the fishing boat. At 0815, therefore, Whitby's 44ft Waveney lifeboat The White Rose of Yorkshire slipped her moorings and set out on service.

It was an overcast morning but visibility was good. A force 8 gale was blowing from north north west and it was three hours after high water.

By 0820 the lifeboat was clearing Whitby Harbour and speed had to be reduced as she met the rough seas and heavy swell caused by the ebb tide meeting the full force of the northerly gale. Once past Whitby Bar Buoy a coaster thought to be in the vicinity of the fishing vessel was sighted three miles north east of Whitby High Light and at first the lifeboat headed for her.

At 0900, however, it was learned that Rayella was further south, so the lifeboat changed course to south east by south and, a quarter of an hour later, came up with the fishing vessel. Rayella had dropped anchor about IVi miles east north east of North Cheek and was lying head to the rough seas and heavy swell; she was arranging a tow from a sister ship in the Tyne.

The gale was still blowing from north north west and there were occasional flurries of snow. By 1000 it could be seen from the lifeboat that Rayella was dragging her anchor down towards a lee shore, so Coxswain Thomson decided to take her in tow. He manoeuvred the lifeboat's starboard quarter close toRayella's port bow, taking care to clear her anchor warp in the heavy seas, and a line was passed. The fishing vessel slipped her anchor and, with the full length of the towline paid out. the tow was started heading into the seas and away from the coast.

Because of the size of the casualty and the rough seas and heavy swell there was no question of trying to turn and run down wind to Scarborough with the tow; it was also impossible to enter Whitby. So, as a sister fishing vessel, Nimrod, was on her way from the Tyne to take over the tow, the lifeboat continued to tow the casualty away from danger, heading into wind and seas and using helm and engines to ease the surge on the towline. For the next five hours a speed of IVi knots over the ground was made good.

At 1500, five miles north of Whitby, Nimrod was sighted and a quarter of an hour later the lifeboat slipped her tow and stood by while a towline was passed between Nimrod and Rayella. At 1530 Nimrod and her tow were under way; they arrived in the Tyne, a distance of 34 miles, 12^2 hours later. The lifeboat, meanwhile, turned for home.

By now the gale was gusting up to force 9, giving a very rough sea and a heavy short swell near the land, and there were still occasional flurries of snow. Knowing that the sea would be very confused at the entrance to Whitby Harbour, Coxswain Thomson asked for a report both on the bar and at the entrance. Although the bar looked bad it was thought that it might be possible for the lifeboat to keep to the west and wait for a 'smooth' to slip into harbour.

At 1600 the lifeboat was approaching Whitby Piers, but after ten minutes Coxswain Thomson decided that conditions were too bad to try to enter harbour and he started back out towards the Bar Buoy to make for Scarborough.

As the lifeboat was heading out, however, a very large sea, estimated to be about 25 feet high, lifted about ten degrees on her port bow. The coxswain put on full throttle to climb the wave (see cover picture), but it started to break and the lifeboat, as she cleared the top, corkscrewed to port and fell down into the following trough at an angle of 45 degrees, striking the bottom. The impact was severe and all the crew were thrown across towards the starboard side of the wheelhouse.

Crew Member Alfred Headlam fractured three ribs as he struck the coxswain's chair, which was bent by the force of the blow. Crew Member Brian Hodgson broke an arm and Second Assistant Mechanic Keith Stuart received facial cuts. Fortunately the crew were all wearing their protective headgear, which prevented more serious injury.

The three injured crew members were made comfortable and course was set for Scarborough at reduced speed.

After a service lasting more than nine hours the lifeboat was moored alongsideRayella's port bow, taking care to clear her anchor warp in the heavy seas, and a line was passed. The fishing vessel slipped her anchor and, with the full length of the towline paid out. the tow was started heading into the seas and away from the coast.

Because of the size of the casualty and the rough seas and heavy swell there was no question of trying to turn and run down wind to Scarborough with the tow; it was also impossible to enter Whitby. So, as a sister fishing vessel, Nimrod, was on her way from the Tyne to take over the tow, the lifeboat continued to tow the casualty away from danger, heading into wind and seas and using helm and engines to ease the surge on the towline. For the next five hours a speed of IVi knots over the ground was made good.

At 1500, five miles north of Whitby, Nimrod was sighted and a quarter of an hour later the lifeboat slipped her tow and stood by while a towline was passed between Nimrod and Rayella. At 1530 Nimrod and her tow were under way; they arrived in the Tyne, a distance of 34 miles, 12^2 hours later. The lifeboat, meanwhile, turned for home.

By now the gale was gusting up to force 9, giving a very rough sea and a heavy short swell near the land, and there were still occasional flurries of snow. Knowing that the sea would be very confused at the entrance to Whitby Harbour, Coxswain Thomson asked for a report both on the bar and at the entrance. Although the bar looked bad it was thought that it might be possible for the lifeboat to keep to the west and wait for a 'smooth' to slip into harbour.

At 1600 the lifeboat was approaching Whitby Piers, but after ten minutes Coxswain Thomson decided that conditions were too bad to try to enter harbour and he started back out towards the Bar Buoy to make for Scarborough.

As the lifeboat was heading out, however, a very large sea, estimated to be about 25 feet high, lifted about ten degrees on her port bow. The coxswain put on full throttle to climb the wave (see cover picture), but it started to break and the lifeboat, as she cleared the top, corkscrewed to port and fell down into the following trough at an angle of 45 degrees, striking the bottom. The impact was severe and all the crew were thrown across towards the starboard side of the wheelhouse.

Crew Member Alfred Headlam fractured three ribs as he struck the coxswain's chair, which was bent by the force of the blow. Crew Member Brian Hodgson broke an arm and Second Assistant Mechanic Keith Stuart received facial cuts. Fortunately the crew were all wearing their protective headgear, which prevented more serious injury.

The three injured crew members were made comfortable and course was set for Scarborough at reduced speed.

After a service lasting more than nine hours the lifeboat was moored alongsidealongside at Scarborough at 1735 and the injured crew were taken to hospital by ambulance. The lifeboat returned to Whitby at 1700 on Friday April 9.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain/Mechanic Peter N. Thomson and vellum service certificates were presented to Second Coxswain/ Assistant Mechanic Michael R.

Coates, Second Assistant Mechanic Keith G. Stuart and Crew Members Alfred Headlam and Brian W.

Hodgson..