On the Goodwins RAMSGATE PIERHEAD lookout sighted red flares to the south east of the harbour at 2303 on Saturday October 29,1983. The sighting was immediately reported to Dover Coastguard, the honorary secretary of Ramsgate lifeboat station was informed and the maroons were fired.

The night was fine with good visibility.

The northerly breeze was moderate to fresh, force 4 to 5. Low water was predicted at 2355.

The relief 44ft Waveney lifeboat Wavy Line, on temporary duty at Ramsgate, slipped her moorings at 2314 under the command of Coxswain/ Mechanic Ronald Cannon. She drove on a course of 120°M until she reached a position between the North Goodwin and Gull Stream buoys. No echoes other than the drying Goodwin banks showed on the radar and no visual sighting of a casualty was made until the lifeboat put up a parachute flare; this flare was immediately answered by a red distress flare to the east.

Judging the casualty to be east of Goodwin Knoll Bank, course was altered to north north east and the lifeboat rounded the northern edge of the bank. Further white flares fired from the lifeboat were each answered by red flares until, at about midnight, the lights of the casualty were seen.

Knowing the area to be steeply shoaling, and realising that the people he could now see on deck could well be washed off by the heavy breaking seas at the bank edge, Coxswain Cannondrove in towards the bank from the east. The lifeboat grounded frequently as she approached the 26ft Belgian yacht Mer Gespard, which was laying over to starboard and hard aground.

Seas were washing over the entire deck area of the yacht, and over the stern and waist of the lifeboat, but nevertheless Coxswain Cannon managed to hold Wavy Line's bow against Mer Gespard's quarter long enough for all six of the yacht's crew to scramble safely aboard the lifeboat.

At the owner's request and with the coxswain's agreement, Second Coxswain/ Assistant Mechanic Derek Pegden took a line aboard Mer Gespard and secured it to her mast. The lifeboat was then driven full astern, lifting to the seas and clearing the bank as the tow was paid out. Once in deeper and calmer water, the lifeboat was turned and the tow made fast aft. Mer Gespard was drawn clear of the sands without difficulty and at 0035 the tow to Ramsgate began. Harbour was safely reached at 0115. The lifeboat was refuelled and once again ready for service at 0145.

During the following forenoon the lifeboat was again taken to sea for engine trials to ensure that the grounding had caused no defects; no damage had been incurred.

For this service a framed letter of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, was sent to Coxswain/Mechanic Ronald N. Cannon and his crew: Second Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic Derek A. Pegden, Emergency Mechanic Dennis T.

Cooper and Crew Members William A. Blay, Thomas H. Brown and Timothy E. Hurst..