Yacht saved BRIXHAM COASTGUARD contacted Exmouth lifeboat station on the morning of Friday June 21, 1985 with the news that a yacht was in difficulties one mile off shore to the east of Sidmouth. Six minutes later, at 1046, the station's 33ft Brede class lifeboat, Caroline Finch, slipped her moorings and headed out to sea under the command of Second Coxswain Timothy Mock. A near southerly gale, force 7, gusting to gale force 8 was blowing with rough seas and an eight foot swell.

By 1118 the lifeboat had reached the yacht, a 40ft ketch, Vamoss II, which was now only a quarter of a mile from the shore. Unable to sail against the strong onshore wind and with her auxiliary motor out of action because of water in the fuel, she was being driven ashore in very rough seas and heavy swell.

The yacht had a steel hull with protrusions from her gunwales on each side. To go alongside would risk severe damage to the lifeboat. Acting Coxswain Mock decided instead to make a run under her bow and at the first attempt a line was successfully passed and made fast to the casualty.

The tow back to Exmouth began but after half an hour, at 1203, the line parted some two miles south south east of Sidmouth. Ten minutes later, with the help of the heaving line, the tow was reconnected.

By 1310 the lifeboat reported that she was off Exe Fairway buoy. But when Timothy Mock saw the conditions on the bar he knew it would put both lifeboat and yacht at risk if he continued over it to Exmouth. He thereforedecided to steam to Brixham, making first for Teignmouth and then turning south towards Brixham. This route gave him more shelter than the one directly across the bay.

Seas were still heavy and at times the after ends of the yacht's bilge keels could be seen from the lifeboat, right out of the water. Brixham coastguard were asked to arrange medical assistance to await the arrival of the two people on board the yacht as they appeared to be suffering from exhaustion and sea-sickness.

At 1520 the casualty was brought safely alongside in Brixham harbour.

The lifeboat crew were given a welcome cup of tea and at 1645 set out again to return to Exmouth. She arrived back at 1733 and after refuelling and being hosed down, she was placed back on her moorings, ready again for service at 1749.

A letter, signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, was sent to Second Coxswain/Mechanic Timothy Mock, passing on the Institution's warm appreciation to him and his crew for their actions during this service..