MFV sinks BLYTH LIFEBOAT station motor mechanic, John Scott, called up Tynemouth Coastguard at 1825 on Tuesday December 7, 1982, to tell them that the lifeboat would be sailing for a rough weather exercise. He was informed that the fishing vessel Castle Cove was takingwater in a position five miles north north east of the Tyne. After consultation with the station honorary secretary by telephone, Blyth's 44ft Waveney lifeboat The William and Jane slipped her moorings at 1830 and set out on service under the command of Coxswain Charles Hatcher.

The evening was dark and overcast with sleet showers and a near gale, force 7, was blowing from the south east. It was two hours before high water. Passage was down the harbour into worsening weather and, approaching the entrance, speed had constantly to be adjusted to clear the heavy breaking seas. Course was set for the casualty but speed could be no more than three quarters in the rough head seas and heavy swell. Even so, the lifeboat was continuously being washed by the breaking seas.

Castle Cove was reached at 1900, still underway at dead slow speed towards the Tyne. As the lifeboat came close to her port side, the fishing vessel's engines finally stopped. Her crew of three did not want to abandon ship, so the lifeboat's tow rope was passed across by heaving line and made fast on the casualty.

The gale, still from the south east, was now gusting up to 38 knots, giving rough breaking seas of 15 to 20 feet and a heavy swell. Both the lifeboat and the fishing vessel were shipping continuous spray and occasional seas.

The tow towards the Tyne began at a quarter speed, but Castle Cove started to list and the tow was stopped. The fishermen still did not want to abandon their boat, however, so the tow was re-started at 1910 with the casualty wallowing with the weight of water in her.

The five-mile passage took an hour and ten minutes. At 2024, approaching Tyne Piers, the lifeboat called up the Harbour Authorities for permission to enter. She had just informed Castle Cove and received her acknowledgement when the fishing vessel called back to say she was sinking. The casualty slipped the tow which was retrieved aboard the lifeboat. The William and Jane circled to port and came alongside, starboard side to the keel of the fishing vessel which was now heeled right over to starboard. The three fishermen slid down the port side of the heavily rolling boat and were pulled aboard by the lifeboat crew. The time from slipping the tow retrieving the survivors was just three minutes.

The lifeboat stood by for a further five minutes as the fishing vessel sank some 500 yards north of Tyne North Pier. The fishermen were then landed at Tyne Fish Quay and the lifeboat returned to Blyth. She was re-moored and once again ready for service at 2145.

For this service the bronze medal was awarded to Coxswain Charles G.

Hatcher and medal service certificates were presented to Second CoxswainThomas Moss, Motor Mechanic John C. Scott, Assistant Mechanic Dallas K.

Taylor, Emergency Mechanic Keith Barnard and Crew Member Ian Woodhouse..