Doctor to baby AN URGENT MESSAGE was received by Niton Radio at 2323 on Sunday August 21, 1983, from a yacht in the Solent reporting that a baby girl aboard, 15 months old, was desperately ill. Solent Coastguard advised the yacht, which was off Newtown River, to make for Yarmouth and alerted the honorary secretary of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, lifeboat station at 2325. By 2334 Yarmouth's 52ft Arun lifeboat Joy and John Wade, with Dr N. Reid, the honorary medical adviser, on board, had slipped her moorings under the command of Coxswain David Kennett.

The lifeboat came alongside the yacht at 2345 and Dr Reid, boarding the yacht, quickly diagnosed the trouble.

The little girl and her mother were immediately transferred to the lifeboat which, within minutes, had returned to Yarmouth where an ambulance was waiting. It was now 2350. The little girl recovered and was able to leave hopsital a few days later.

The lifeboat was back on her moorings by 0010 on Monday August 22 and the yacht was brought into YarmouthHarbour by her owner, who was the child's father.

For this service a letter expressing the Institution's appreciation and signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, was sent to Coxswain David D. Kennett, Dr N. Reid, honorary medical adviser, and the other members of the crew: Second Coxswain David J. Lemonius, Motor Mechanic Robert R.

Cooke, Assistant Mechanic Brian D. A.

Miskin, Emergency Mechanic Stuart L.

Pimm and Crew Members Martin G.

Long and Paul G. McKillop..