Severely injured NEW BRIGHTON'S Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat, Blenwatch, manned by Helmsman Clifford Downing and Crew Members Francis Brereton and F.

Jones, had launched at 1100 on Tuesday December 6, 1983, and was standing by the launch of an oil rig, Sovereign Explorer. The weather was fine and the sea calm. As the rig was being launched a towing wire parted and whipped back, removing an arm and a leg from one of the riggers aboard.

Geoffrey Prince, a New Brighton lifeboat crew member, was aboard the rig at the time and was able immediately to give first aid to the injured man and to apply tourniquets. The rigger was then transferred to the New Brighton lifeboat and at 1315 was landed at Liverpool, together with a container of his two severed limbs. The lifeboat, returning to station, was rehoused and ready again for service at 1330. The injured man, although his leg and arm could not be saved, made an otherwise full recovery in hospital.

For this service, a letter of appreciation, signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, was sent to Captain John Billington, honorary secretary of New Brighton lifeboat station, expressing the Institution's warm and appreciative thanks to the station for carrying out such a harrowing and difficult task..