Among rocks A YACHT firing red flares near Green Island was reported by Police HQ at 0326 on Saturday September 3, 1983, to the deputy assistant harbour master at St Helier, who is also deputy launching authority of St Helier lifeboat station.

The lifeboat crew were immediately alerted and at 0339 St Helier's 44ft Waveney lifeboat, Thomas James King, slipped her mooring and set out on service at full speed under the command of Coxswain Michael Berry.An intense low, centred in the Bristol Channel, had created a strengthening south-westerly wind during the previous 18 hours. At St Helier Harbour entrance the wind was now west south west gale force 8 gusting to strong gale force 9. Visibility of lights was estimated at four miles but the night was pitch black, with wind-driven drizzle. It was half an hour after high water neaps.

A 'Wave Rider' buoy positioned clear of the entrance channel was registering 21 feet between crests and troughs.

Full speed was maintained through Small Road and then, when clear of East Rock Buoy, on a course of 145°M.

Confirmation of the yacht's position in St Clement's Bay was received and at 0347, from a position one cable north west of Demie de Pas light tower, course was altered to 080°M. Coxswain Berry asked that a shore party be assembled at Plat Rocque Point to give the position of the casualty, possibly to illuminate the scene and to receive any people washed ashore.

Approaching Round Rouget Islet Coxswain Berry reduced to half speed so that, as he detoured northwards to avoid rocks, he could place a man forward with a searchlight in some degree of safety. Passing 800 feet north of La Sambue, he further reduced speed to 6 knots, feeling his way by the light of the searchlight and flares into waters unknown to him or his crew. The casualty had not been sighted.

When south east of the Le Nez Point, a flare was seen behind a rock, bearing north east. Coxswain Berry maintained his course of about 080°M so that when the yacht came into sight there would be open water between her and the lifeboat.

He was faced with the dilemma of going slow enough to avoid damage if the lifeboat struck the rocks, but fast enough to overtake the yacht, which, the shore party informed him, was drifting quickly. A speed of 6 knots was maintained.

By the time the casualty was plainly seen the lifeboat was running short of illuminating flares. With the remains of her mainsail and jib still hoisted the French yacht Cythara lay on an easterly heading, rolling and pitching heavily in the west-south-west gale, now strong force 9; her keel was probably aground on rock. Three people could be seen on deck.

At this time, 0400, the 'Wave Rider' buoy off St Helier was still registering21 feet. The sea within the rock strewn area was of less height, but still high, confused and breaking. Coxswain Mike Berry, with the complete silent assent of his crew, had steamed almost three miles between rocks, in the dark, on a falling tide in high following seas.

The lifeboat was turned hard to starboard to bring her port side to the yacht, now heading south east. The lifeboatmen grabbed Cythara's crew, two men and a woman, pulled them aboard and took them down into the after cabin. As soon as they were safely aboard Coxswain Berry started to manoeuvre clear of the yacht. The lifeboat, however, having lain across the wind, had been carried into shallow water and she struck a rock amidships. Ahead movements of the engines carried her clear on a wave crest.

At a speed of four to five knots, Coxswain Berry steamed south west, intending to pick his way between La Sambue and La Motte. The radar was working well but rocks could not be identified in the considerable sea clutter.

In the prevailing conditions reference to any chart was impossible. The lifeboat had, in fact, been set further to the east than had been realised and she struck bottom again at 0421. Both ahead and astern movements of the engines were needed to bring her clear, as she was stuck fast and her propellers were not continuously covered by water.

Having cleared this rock, Coxswain Berry, unable to establish his exact position and concerned about further damage to the lifeboat, cast around for some relatively deep water. With 35 feet showing on the echo sounder the anchor was let go, the intention being to await daylight. Only 15 fathoms of anchor line were paid out when the crew reported rocks to port and astern.

The motion was most uncomfortable, across wind and tide, and the tide was falling fast. While at anchor the opportunity was taken to check on the survivors in the after cabin. The two men were still strapped in, on the starboard side. The woman, who had injured her mouth coming aboard, was lying along the port side bench being held in position by Crew Member John Gray.

A careful study of the radar while the lifeboat was relatively stationary at anchor had indicated there was a route seaward. At 0440 the anchor was cut clear and after heading west for a short way, a west-south-west course was steered at slow speed. When seven cables south south east of Demie de Pas, clearing bearings were obtained.

The time was 0451. Acting Motor Mechanic Patrick Attenborough checked the principal compartments of the boat and reported all was well. Coxswain Berry thanked the shore party and invited them to stand down.

Course was set for harbour at about ten knots. At 0510 the lifeboat entered harbour and headed straight for her mooring, where the yacht's crew weretransferred to an ambulance. The lifeboat was placed off service pending an inspection of her hull for damage. The yacht Cythara was eventually washed ashore on the beach.

For this service a bar to his silver medal was awarded to Coxswain Michael E. Berry. The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Crew Member David Aubert, acting second coxswain, Emergency Mechanic Patrick S. Attenborough, acting motor mechanic, Emergency Mechanic David G. Mills, acting assistant mechanic, and Crew Members William Hibbs and John C.

Gray..