Tidal race DURING THE AFTERNOON Of Sunday August 28,1983, Swanage lifeboat crew were assembled after consultation between the station's deputy launching authority (DLA) and Swanage Coastguard. An 18ft yacht had been sighted trying to weather the tidal race off Peveril Point in a fresh north-easterly breeze, force 5, but she appeared to be making no headway. After an hour, the yacht turned south and headed away, apparently out of danger, and the crew were stood down.

Later that same day, at 2040, Portland Coastguard told the DLA that a member of the public had sighted a red flare east of Durlston Head. Maroons were fired and at 2051 Swanage lifeboat, the 37ft 6in Rother /. Reginald Corah, launched on service under the command of Coxswain/Mechanic Victor Marsh.

The north-easterly breeze was moderate to fresh, force 4 to 5, with a moderate sea. Visibility was good. It was about two hours before high water.

The lifeboat headed for a position about a mile south west of Durlston Head. When she was some IVz miles short of this position she was told by two yachts that they had seen the flare and that it had been further to the east.

At 2120 the lifeboat fired a parachute flare by the light of which a small yacht was sighted under full sail tacking into the heavy head seas caused by tidal overfalls. Approaching the yacht, Jacana, at 2125 it was found that her two crew, neither of whom was young, were unable to reduce sail and the lifeboat was involved in a stern chase. Then the yacht altered course 180 degrees to head on a reciprocal course directly towards the lifeboat.Coxswain/Mechanic Marsh took avoiding action and managed to round again as the yacht passed on a westerly course. With wind against tide, confused seas of up to eight feet high were met in the overfall area. After two cautious approaches, Coxswain/Mechanic Marsh drove the lifeboat hard against the yacht's waist, so that Crew Member Christopher Haw could scramble on board over the lifeboat bow. It was now 2135.

The lifeboat then cleared and stood by while, during the next ten minutes, Crew Member Haw managed to clear the jib halyard, which was jammed, and lower the main and jib. The lifeboat was now able to approach more safely and a tow was passed. After making the line fast, Crew Member Haw indicated to Coxswain/Mechanic Marsh that the yacht's crew, husband and wife, were so tired that he did not think it wise to try to transfer them to the lifeboat.

The tow to Poole started at 2145 and, once clear of the overfalls, was without incident. The lifeboat and yacht berthed at Poole Quay at 2353, where it was found that- the member of the public who had first reported the flare, a holiday visitor, had taken the trouble to drive to Swanage Coastguard and then to Poole to meet the two boats. Because rehousing at Swanage in the northeasterly breeze would have been difficult, the lifeboat remained at Poole overnight, the crew returning home by road.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Crew Member T. Christopher Haw..