Marooned on dolphin THE DLA of Morecambe lifeboat station was informed by Liverpool Coastguard at 1625 on Sunday October 17, 1982, that a board sailor was in difficulties in Half Moon Bay, near Heysham. Maroons were fired at 1628 and at 1635, with the help of local fishermen, the D class inflatable lifeboat was launched; she was manned by Helmsman Keith Willacy and Crew Members Terence Jolley and Robert Coyle.

The wind was south by east force 3 in the sheltered position of the launching site. The sea was calm with a slight swell. It was 4'/2 hours after high water and the tide was ebbing to the south west at about 3 knots. Visibility was good although the afternoon was overcast.

After launching, Helmsman Willacy headed west down Ring Hole Channel and into the Hollow. By radio, the Coastguard reported that the casualty was in Half Moon Bay, last seen drifting out to sea near the old oil pier dolphins, structures 80 feet in diameter showing about 40 feet above the sea at that state of the tide with access ladders set in their southern sides.

Once in the Hollow it became obvious that the weather was worse than it had appeared in the sheltered position of the launch site. Seas were breaking violently over the skeers. rocky outcrops leading out from the shore, and, before attempting passage through them, Helmsman Willacy reduced speed and ordered his crew to check that all equipment was stowed correctly.

Drawing on his extensive local knowledge, the helmsman took the inflatable lifeboat through a narrow lead in the skeers called Dallam Dyke, using the throttle skilfully to prevent broaching.

The seas were estimated to be five to six feet high with 20 feet between the crests and, with wind against tide, the seas were confused. The boat was filled with water and the crew had to move forward as far as possible to counteract its weight. The selfbailers were overwhelmed but the boat tended to clear herself over the transom when her bows were flung high on several of the seas.

Because of driving spray it had beenimpossible to assess the conditions in Half Moon Bay beyond the skeers, but once clear of Dallam Dyke the seas were found to be very high, confused and with frequent breaking crests. It was obvious now that the inflatable lifeboat could only search along her line of advance, keeping head to sea as much as possible.

Showing good commonsense, Helmsman Willacy informed Liverpool Coastguard that he would abandon the search once abeam of Heysham Harbour and take shelter there until the sea moderated.

He also asked that Fleetwood lifeboat be placed on standby. It was decided that Fleetwood lifeboat should launch immediately and the 44ft Waveney Lady of Lancashire slipped her moorings at 1700 under the command of Coxswain William Fairclough.

Morecambe's D class lifeboat had almost reached Heysham and her crew were just about to inform the Coastguard that they were taking shelter when Crew Member Jolley spotted the board sailor; he was high up, at the top of the northernmost of the two old oil dolphins, about a quarter of a mile abeam to seaward.

The wind was still south by east, but out of the shelter of Morecambe it was near gale, force 7. The seas, rough and confused, were eight to nine feet high and there were many breaking crests.

The tide was still ebbing to the south west, but at 4 knots now. Visibility was fair.

Before approaching the dolphins, Helmsman Willacy first took the lifeboat close in to Half Moon Bay to find a lee so that he could turn and run out to sea again. He could not head directly for the dolphins as that would have meant going across the sea and putting the boat at risk. The lifeboat was taken almost back to Dallam Dyke and then Helmsman Willacy, with great skill, turned back into the sea and worked the boat up towards the dolphins, balancing the sea and engine throttle so that the inflatable lifeboat progressed crabwise but kept her bow to the sea.

The surge around the dolphin was estimated to be eight to nine feet high.

The casualty had made his surfboard fast to the access ladder but, with the falling tide, it was now partly suspended by its mooring line blocking his way down to the sea and also obstructing any approach that the lifeboat might try. The man tried to let go the surfboard but found it impossible and retreated, exhausted, back up the ladder.

The lifeboat made four attempts to come alongside the ladder but the surfboard, hanging half in and half out of the water and sometimes scything clear of the water entirely, made an approach far too hazardous.

It was then indicated to the man that he should jump into the water and that the inflatable lifeboat would recover him from there. Helmsman Willacy allowed the boat to be knocked back down wind and the man jumped intothe sea from about 12 feet up the ladder. He was quickly lifted into the lifeboat, which had to be held at half throttle to prevent her being thrown against the dolphin. It was now 1655.

Once the man, who seemed to be suffering from hypothermia, was aboard, Liverpool Coastguard was informed and an ambulance requested.

The crew lay across the casualty to give him some protection and the inflatable dinghy headed for Heysham Harbour.

Again the boat was full of water and she made slow progress into the relative shelter of the harbour breakwater, where the casualty was wrapped in a survival blanket and where also the selfbailers were able to clear the boat.

The board sailor was landed at Heysham and taken to hospital by ambulance; he was well enough to leave a few hours later.

The rescue had been completed by 1730 but the crew and a back-up crew organised by the DLA stripped the inflatable lifeboat of all equipment, hauled her up the harbour wall at Heysham and took her back to station on a special road trailer provided by the local police. The lifeboat was then reassembled and refuelled and she was once again ready for service by 1935.

Meanwhile, Fleetwood lifeboat was recalled when it was known that Morecambe D class lifeboat had reached Heysham safely and she was back on her moorings at 1718.

For this service the silver medal was awarded to Helmsman Keith Willacy and the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Crew Members Anthony Terence Jolley and Robert A. Coyle..