Section Services by RNLB Shoreline The 37ft 6in Rother class lifeboat, Shoreline, stationed at Arbroath in Scotland and paid for out of the proceeds of a special appeal to recruit new Shoreline members, carried out a noteworthy service in November. In rough seas and strong winds she launched to a 47ft motor vessel with engine failure which was drifting into dangerous waters with two men on board. Despite the ten foot swell and worsening weather, the lifeboat's acting coxswain, Brian Bruce, managed to get a line on board and towed the casualty safely back to Arbroath.

It was at 1418 on the afternoon of Sunday November 11, 1984, that Arbroath lifeboat launched after Forth Coastguard had informed the station that the motor vessel Gaynor had broken down with a crew of two and a fishing party of eight others on board, three and a half miles south west of Arbroath.

Visibility was good but there was a fresh south-easterly breeze force 5, and the sea was rough with ten foot swell.

Nearing the casualty at 1450, Second Coxswain Brian Bruce, acting coxswain for this service, was informed by the coastguard that the eight anglers had been winched off by an RAF helicopter but that her crew of two were still aboard.

The forecast was for deteriorating weather and already the wind was gusting to a strong breeze, force 6.

Because of the weather and because the ebb tide had by now set, the acting coxswain decided to tow Gaynor into Arbroath before it became dark. The tow line was made fast and the two boats made for Arbroath. Ten minutes later the line parted but was successfully re-established after a few minutes.

To enter harbour it was necessary to shorten the towing warp and at 1600 the lifeboat and Gaynor were safely moored in the waters of Arbroath harbour.The weather was such that the lifeboat remained moored in Arbroath until the following day, when she could safely be hauled up her slipway and rehoused.

Another service by Shoreline which took place in December last year, will also be of interest to Shoreline members.

On the afternoon of Sunday December 16, 1984, Shoreline, under the command of Coxswain Douglas Matthewson, launched after it was reported that the motor fishing vessel Shalamar was approaching Arbroath Harbour in a moderate breeze, force 5 and an eight to nine foot swell. Conditions for entering the harbour were difficult and the weather was worsening.

The lifeboat stood by the fishing vessel outside the harbour until the tide rose to give enough water through the entrance. It was dark by this time but Shalamar was successfully escorted over the bar and into the safety of harbour.

New Shoreline pullovers A new pure wool sleeveless V neck pullover embroidered with the Shoreline insignia, is now on offer to Shoreline members. It is available in two colours, burgundy and cream, and in chest sizes 36in to 45in. Its price is £14.25.

Membership count At the time of going to press, there are 112,881 members of Shoreline.

Keep up the recruiting!To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.

I enclose subscription to join Shoreline as an: Annual Member £5.00 (minimum) D Annual Family Membership £7.50 (minimum) D Annual Member and Governor £15.00 (minimum) D Life member and Governor £150.00 (minimum) D Send me details of how I can help with a Legacy. D Name Address More than 111,000 people would have been lost without the lifeboat service..