January storm ON SUNDAY JANUARY 6, 1985, northnorth- easterly winds of force 9 to storm force 10 hit the east coast and at 1812 that evening a message was received from the Sealink roll-on roll-off ferry, Speedlink Vanguard, that she had suffered engine and steering failure.

Her position was three miles west of the Galloper lightvessel and although no suitable tug was available, her master decided he did not require a lifeboat.

At 1844 he agreed, however, that a passing vessel should stand by and at 1906 one main engine was re-started enabling the ferry to make five knots. A new position was also given of eight miles west of the Galloper. All this time the drift pattern was being plotted by Thames Coastguard and, on their own initiative, aware of the ferry's unreliable engines, requested the launch of Harwich lifeboat. The honorary secretary agreed and at 1905 pagers alerted the crew.

At about the same time, a crew member from Walton and Frinton lifeboat station who had been monitoring the incident privately, telephoned his honorary secretary who also decided it was necessary to launch.As well as the force 9 to 10 winds and very heavy seas with 10 to 15 foot swells, intermittent snow showers were restricting visibility and by 1930 Speedlink Vanguard reported a worsening situation as she drifted towards the Kentish Knock bank. The incident was now upgraded to MAYDAY.

All this time Harwich's 44ft Waveney class lifeboat, John Fison, was having great difficulty clearing her moorings; the heavy weather had caused a small Trinity House launch to sink at her moorings and to get clear of her, lines had to be run from the lifeboat to the adjacent pier. Finally, at 1945, the lifeboat was clear and she headed down the harbour at full speed. Off Landguard Point, the full force of the northnorth- easterly storm was felt and Coxswain Peter Burwood, at the helm, had to reduce speed to ease the violent pitching and slamming.

Meanwhile, at 1925, the crew of the Walton and Frinton lifeboat, the 48ft 6in Solent class, City of Birmingham, had begun to board from the pier where swells were lifting the boarding boat over five feet. This made the work of the launching party who operate the outhaul—a supplement to the oars of the boarding boat—extremely difficult.

Six minutes later the lifeboat slipped her mooring under the command of Coxswain Dennis Finch and set out at reduced speed on course for Long Sand Head. She was rolling and pitching violently, taking heavy water continuously overall.

Harwich lifeboat closed Long Sand Head buoy at 2115 and although the ferry had re-started both engines some 45 minutes earlier, her master requested the lifeboat to escort her until she had reached sheltered water. At 2215 Harwich lifeboat rendezvoused with the ferry.

Walton and Frinton lifeboat had still been heading for Speedlink Vanguard in violent seas when, at 2136, the coastguard informed them that a pirate radio ship, Ross Revenge, was dragging anchor in the Knock Deep. After consultation with the lifeboat station's launching authorities, it was agreed that Walton and Frinton lifeboat should divert towards the new casualty. Thanks to his VHP direction finder, the coxswain was able to obtain an immediate bearing on her, some 14 miles to the south south east.

Twenty-five minutes later Walton and Frinton lifeboat rounded the Long Sand Head and headed south south east with a very heavy following sea. Coxswain Finch considered streaming the drogue but the risk of having men working on deck persuaded him to continue without it. Under full power the lifeboat was handling well with no signs of broaching. The wind remained as strong as ever.

Harwich lifeboat, meanwhile, at 2250 was released from escort duties as Speedlink Vanguard, now north north east of Long Sand Head, was satisfiedthat her engines were running reliably.

The lifeboat, just as she was setting course north west for the Shipwash, fell off a particularly heavy and short 15 foot sea which threw the coxswain across the main cabin. Fortunately, his injuries were not severe. Both radar and Decca Navigator were being affected by snow and any position fixing was erratic. However, the lifeboat safely reached Harwich and was refuelled, ready for service by 0130.

Walton and Frinton lifeboat was within sight of Ross Revenge by 2330 and she remained in company with her while the vessel steamed to her anchorage position. At 0040 she was able to report that she had re-anchored and was holding well. The lifeboat now had a 30-mile passage back to station and as she headed north north east between the Kentish Knock and Long Sand banks, she was regularly burying her bows in the seas. Severe pounding made the radar stop working at 0150.

Half an hour later, at the North East Gunfleet buoy, the crew could finally have their first hot drink since sailing.

At the same time Coxswain Finch advised Thames coastguard that the lifeboat's moorings were untenable and that he would therefore proceed to Harwich. She reached a lay-by berth at 0333 and at 0744, when the wind had abated slightly to north north east force 8, the lifeboat set out from the harbour again and made for the Walton Backwater mooring where radar repairs could be carried out. The buoy mooring was reached at 0845 and by 0945 the lifeboat was secured again to her outer mooring off the pier.

Following this service framed letters of appreciation, signed by the chairman of the RNLI, The Duke of Atholl, were sent to Coxswain/Mechanic Peter Burwood, Second Coxswain Leslie Smith and Crew Members Kenneth Brand, David Gilders and Edward Clifton of Harwich lifeboat station. Coxswain Dennis Finch, Second Coxswain Robert Kemp, Motor Mechanic James Berry, Assistant Mechanic Michael Richardson and Crew Members Brian Oxley,Trevor Halls, Bryan Ward, Stephen Moore and Garry Edwards of Walton and Frinton lifeboat station also received a framed letter from the chairman.

The efforts of the shore helpers at Walton and Frinton, J. Fletcher, R.

Bettany, J. Oxley, J. Hatcher, R.

Peters, K. Coleman, R. Lacey, S. Oxley and S. Berry were also acknowledged in the chairman's letter..