Canoeists stranded THE WEATHER was cloudy, there was a fresh south-westerly breeze, force 5, and slight seas when Dover coastguard contacted the honorary secretary of Walmer lifeboat station on the afternoon of Sunday June 9, 1985. Two people were reported cut off by the tide near St Margaret's Bay, the coastguard mobile had set off over land to investigate and lifeboat help was also required.

By 1734 the relief 16ft D class inflatable lifeboat on temporary duty at Walmer was launched without difficulty from the beach. Manned by Helmsman Anthony Evans and Crew Members John Collins and David Chidwick, she headed south at full speed. The four mile passage was easy until the lifeboat passed the Dover Memorial; then she met the full force of the wind and sea as all lee from nearby cliffs was lost. The coastguard mobile was now in position on the promenade and was directing the lifeboat as she crossed St Margaret's Bay. The lifeboat crew caught sight of two people silhouetted against a large cliff fall to the south of the main bay.

They were out of sight from the cliff top and would scarcely have been visible from the main bay seafront.

The height of the seas had now increased to six feet and, with a long swell, considerable skill was required to drive the lifeboat across the seas towards the stranded people. Helmsman Evans thought about veering down on to a narrow area of beach next to the casualties, but although he was aware of a rocky outcrop to the north of the beach, he could not tell what underwater obstructions, caused by the recent cliff fall, might lie to the south.

Instead, with one crew member detailed to watch the seas astern, he drove the lifeboat into the short shingle beach.

Immediately his two crew members jumped ashore to drag the lifeboat clear of the breaking surf.

The two men they found were canoeists who had capsized some four hours earlier and had drifted on to the beach. They had no lifejackets and were only dressed in jeans and tee shirts and were extremely cold. Their canoe was also on the beach but Helmsman Evans pointed out firmly that it would have to be abandoned.

There was no safe way out around the beach, even at low water, so the lifeboat was hauled southward to the edge of thecliff fall. This was done to give the lifeboat as much space and shelter as possible for her launch under power to clear the obstructed area.

At 1745 the first of three unsuccessful attempts to launch was made; each time the engine started but because the engine had to be held on tilt in the shallow water and with the added weight of the two survivors who also restricted space on board, the lifeboat could not clear the first few lines of surf and was thrown back on the shore. On the third attempt the two crew members were washed from the lifeboat as they tried to board and the lifeboat was deposited on to a large rock, damaging her lower hull.

Anthony Evans told Dover coastguard of his difficulties but, before calling out Dover lifeboat to help him by running a line ashore, he decided to have one final attempt. Time was short; although now wearing RNLI lifejackets, the two canoeists were extremely cold and the lifeboat crew were also beginning to tire from their physical efforts.

Nevertheless, the lifeboat was hauled once more on to the edge of the cliff fall and launched. One crew member manned the oars and the other stayed in the water to steady the boat while the engine was re-started. Helmsman Evans drove the boat ahead, starboard bow to the seas and holding the engine at half tilt. When the lifeboat was clear of the first three seas, the crew member was hauled aboard and she was driven clear of the foul area.

The lifeboat continued on safely to St Margaret's Bay where she was again driven ashore so that the two men could be landed into the care of the coastguard mobile which drove them to Buckland Hospital in Dover.

After a ten minute rest the lifeboat crew launched once more in the lee of a groyne without difficulty and headed for Walmer. The lifeboat beached at 1840.

Following this service a framed letter of thanks, signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the RNLI, was sent to Helmsman Anthony Evans. Letters of thanks signed by Rear Admiral W. J.

Graham were also sent to Crew Members David Chidwick and John Collins..