Dinghies capsize A NEAR GALE, south-south-westerly force 7, was blowing on the afternoon of Saturday July 26, 1986, when Mrs Helen Nicholson noticed that a number of sailing boats were in difficulty off Hook Lighthouse and Waterford Harbour.

She telephoned the honorary secretary of Dunmore East lifeboat station who, at 1745, fired the maroons tosummon the crew. Five minutes later the relief 44ft Waveney class lifeboat, Arthur and Blanche Harris, on temporary duty at Dunmore East, was heading for the scene, Coxswain Brendan Glody at the helm. By now it had been confirmed that four Flying 15s and one National 18 dinghy had capsized and all their crews, 11 people in all, had been thrown into the water.

Six of these people had been picked up by other boats in the area by the time the lifeboat reached the scene but there were still five people in the water when she arrived. The sea was rough and Coxswain Glody showed some expert handling and seamanship as he manoeuvred the lifeboat into position while his crew hauled the remaining dinghy sailors aboard, all of them fortunately unharmed.

During the return passage to Dunmore East, Crew Member Jim Leach entered the water to attach a tow line to one of the Flying 15s. However, it was too rough and the tow had to be abandoned, the dinghy eventually sinkqing in the estuary. The lifeboat was back in Dunmore East at 1930, the survivors landed and by 2015 she was remoored, ready again for service.

A letter signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director, was sent to the honorary secretary of Dunmore East following this service in appreciation of Coxswain Glody and his crew's efficient work in difficult conditions..