Overturned fishing vessel AN EIGHTEEN FOOT fishing vessel, Melinda Muriel, had put out to sea from Skinningrove, Cleveland, with fourpeople on board on the morning of Tuesday July 29, 1986. The wind was north westerly and there were squally showers which reduced visibility to poor at times. At 1429 just after one of these squalls, a member of the public reported that the boat could no longer be seen. Tyne Tees Coastguard asked Staithes and Runs wick lifeboat station to stand by and when, a few minutes later, Redcar's mobile rescue Land Rover confirmed that the boat had indeed disappeared, the lifeboat launched.

Staithes and Runswick lifeboat, Lord Brotherton, an Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable, was manned by Helmsman Stewart Porritt and Crew Members Martin Hopkinson, Kevin Riley and David McKenna. The helmsman headed for Skinningrove where he was asked to begin to search two miles off the pier.

By now the wind was a fresh to strong breeze, force 5 to 6, and the sea was moderate to rough with four to five foot swell. News of a sighting of the casualty then brought the lifeboat to within % mile north east of the pier where, at 1555, the capsized boat was found.

One man was still with the boat, tangled up in ropes and an oar. Crew Member Martin Hopkinson went overboard to cut the man free. He then dived under the fishing boat to check that there was nobody trapped beneath.

Both Redcar's Atlantic 21 lifeboat and Teesmouth's 47ft Tyne had also been alerted and were expected on scene very shortly. In view of this, Helmsman Porritt, who could see that the survivor was in a totally exhausted state, radioed for an ambulance and headed for Skinningrove where he put the man ashore.

Another man from the fishing boat had managed to swim to the shore but there were still two missing people.

Staithes and Runswick lifeboat returned immediately to the scene and continued to search with the other lifeboats and an RAF helicopter. The search continued till dusk but nothing more was found.

Following this service a letter signed by the chief of operations, Cdr Bruce Cairns, was sent to the honorarysecretary of Staithes and Runswick lifeboat station in appreciation of the service provided by the lifeboat crew, particularly the actions of Crew Member Martin Hopkinson..