Rescued two FOLLOWING SEVERAL 999 CALLS from citizen band radio operators reporting a distress call from the cabin cruiser Heron II, Liverpool Coastguard informed the honorary secretary of Flint lifeboat station at 1945 on the evening of Saturday February 26, that the boat was in difficulties one mile south east of Mostyn Dock. The crew were assembled and the station's D class inflatable was towed on her trailer by road to Mostyn, about five or six miles from Flint down the estuary of the River Dee.

A fresh to strong breeze, force 5 to 6, was blowing from the north west and the sea was choppy in the shelter of Mostyn Dock. It was 2'/2 hours before high water and the tide was flooding into the estuary at about 4 knots.

Visibility was good.

On arrival, the lifeboat was left at the top of the slip while the crew and honorary secretary went out along the groyne which forms the entrance into the docks to make a visual search of the area. A white light was seen about l'/2 miles south east of the groyne and the honorary secretary fired a white parachute flare, not with any hope of illuminating the casualty, but rather to illicit some response. The casualty did respond, flashing a torch to indicate that she was in need of help and the honorary secretary decided to launch even though he was extremely concerned about the conditions; it was dark, cold and the sea state was near the limit for a D class inflatable lifeboat.

However, the lifeboat was launched into Mostyn Dock at 2005 manned by Helmsman Alan Forrester and Crew Members Denis Smith and Terence Jacklin.

After launching, Helmsman Forrester headed for the dock entrance where he encountered heavy breaking seas approaching on his port beam. These waves were six to seven feet high and the sea was confused because it was rebounding off the groyne. Helmsman Forrester showed great skill in negotiating this hazardous stretch. Once clear of the groyne the lifeboat headed south east, up river but down wind and tide, towards the casualty. At 2020 the lifeboat came up with the cabin cruiser, which was seen to be aground with an anchor out. Waves were breaking over her.

The wind was still north westerly but had strengthened to strong breeze, force 6. The seas were rough, six to seven feet high, and breaking because of the bank on which Heron II wasaground. The tide was still flooding into the estuary at 4 knots.

It was evident that a tow would not be possible and so Helmsman Forrester decided to take off the crew of two".

Conditions were very tricky, but on the second attempt the lifeboat was brought alongside in the lee of the casualty. One of the cabin cruiser's crew could be seen collapsed on the deck so Crew Members Jacklin and Smith both boarded the boat to carry this man off. Survivor's lifejackets were "put on both men and they were wrapped in survival sheets.

Throughout this operation, which lasted about ten minutes, waves were breaking over the cabin cruiser and the lifeboat and both boats were rising and falling awkwardly. An ambulance was requested to meet the lifeboat at Mostyn Dock and then she started the return passage.

Helmsman Forrester had decided to return to Mostyn, heading into the seas, because his only alternative recovery point, down sea, was Connah's Quay, which was a further six or seven miles up river and he wanted to land the man who had collapsed as quickly as possible.

Crew Member Smith lay across this man to hold him into the inflatable lifeboat as she headed into waves six feet high. The waves were breaking into the boat and the selfbailers had to be kept open to clear the water.

The most dangerous part of the return passage was when the lifeboat had to cross the seas, through six to seven foot waves, to enter Mostyn Dock.Once again Helmsman Forrester exhibited great skill negotiating this stretch; it took ten minutes to cover a distance of 300 yards.

The two survivors were landed at 2050 and first aid was administered until an ambulance arrived. The man who had collapsed was taken to hospital, but he was released the following morning.

The other man was driven to his car.

Flint D class inflatable lifeboat was recovered, returned to station by road and was once again ready for service by 2230. Heron II was assumed to have sunk when her riding light went out half an hour after the rescue.

For this service the bronze medal was awarded to Helmsman Robert Alan Forrester and framed letters of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, were presented to Crew Member Denis J. Smith and Terence H. Jacklin..