Sailboard out in force 8 MICHAEL TIGHE, a crew member of Sunderland's 16ft D class inflatable lifeboat, was near the lifeboathouse onthe afternoon of Sunday November 4, 1984, when he was told that a board sailor was in trouble near Sunderland Outer Piers.

The weather was overcast and clear; a northerly force 8 gale was blowing and ten foot swell was breaking on to the sheltered beach which is used to launch the lifeboat. It was two hours after high water. Despite the conditions the station honorary secretary authorised Michael Tighe's telephoned request to launch. He knew the situation was serious and believed that the inflatable lifeboat could cope in the hands of his most experienced helmsman.

At 1450, five minutes after the alarm was raised, the lifeboat was launched, manned by Helmsman Michael Tighe and Crew Member Alan Dixon. They made full speed towards the last known position of the sailboard, at the entrance of the outer piers. Close to the entrance the northerly gale was causing heavy breaking confused seas as it met the ebb from the river and the lifeboat had to reduce speed. Clear of the breakwaters, she turned south and every time either lifeboat or sailboard was lifted on the heavy seas, the lifeboat crew could see the board sailor, lying on the board.

With the wind now gusting to force 9, the sea was very rough with waves of up to 20 feet and blown spray. The sail of the board had been dropped to act as a sea anchor and Helmsman Tighe made a straight run in down wind, only to be blown past by the sea and the force of the wind. He then turned the lifeboat and made another approach, head to sea.

The height of the waves and the spray made it difficult to see and as soon as the way was taken off the lifeboat as she came close, she was again blown clear of the board. On his third approach, again head to sea, the helmsman kept the power on and the board sailor was grabbed by Alan Dixon. Although he was very cold, the board sailor was still mobile and, with Crew Member Dixon's help, he scrambled aboard the lifeboat, bringing his sailboard with him.

Return passage into the sea was made at slow speed, to try to keep the lifeboat in the water. Knowing it would be impossible to turn across the seas to enter harbour, Michael Tighe continued north for a quarter of a mile and then, on a suitable smooth, turned the lifeboat and surfed back between the outer piers. She was safely beached at 1512 and was rehoused, ready again for service.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were awarded to Helmsman Michael Tighe and a vellum service certificate awarded to Crew Member Alan Dixon..