Long search rewarded FOLLOWING A REPORT that some people had been cut off by the tide in the Beacon Cove area, Newquay's 17ft 6in C class inflatable lifeboat had launched on the afternoon of Sunday August 3, 1986. It was a fine day with only a light breeze blowing from the west south west.

Helmsman Norman Bailey and his crew Mark Killingback, Paul Rockall and Mark Mahoney had searched the cove thoroughly with a crew member put ashore to investigate areas not visible from the sea or cliff top. When nothing was found it had been assumed that the people concerned had reached safety on their own and the lifeboat was stood down.

It was 1545 and the lifeboat was bound for harbour when the message came through that someone had now reported seeing a body on Bedruthan Beach. It was not certain whether the body was in fact dead and the stationhonorary secretary therefore asked the lifeboat to investigate. Halfway there the lifeboat helmsman was informed over the radio that the casualty was indeed alive but badly injured.

On arrival the lifeboat was asked by an auxiliary coastguard to search south of Bedruthan Steps as the original informant was still unable to pinpoint the exact position of the casualty. The crew could find nothing and just as they began to search north of the steps they heard that the auxiliary coastguard had spotted some clothes on a rock on the shore side of Pendaves Rock.

The lifeboat headed for the clothes and, below them, lying on another rock was the injured man. He was only just above the waterline, semi-conscious and bleeding badly from severe head injuries. The lifeboat's line of approach was strewn with underwater rocks and Helmsman Bailey therefore stopped both engines and tilted them while the lifeboat was paddled towards the rock where the casualty lay.

The crew climbed on to the rock, bandaged the man's head with field dressings, put a survivor's lifejacket on him and wrapped him in survivor's sheets. Then, carefully, he was lowered into the lifeboat, the task being made all the more difficult by the wash at the base of the rock.

With the survivor on board, the lifeboat was paddled clear of the underwater rocks. The engines were dropped and started, the helmsman manoeuvring into clear water to seaward.

The injured man was beginning to show signs of shock and Helmsman Bailey knew he needed hospital treatment as soon as possible. A helicopter was called and when it arrived a diver with a basket stretcher was lowered on to the lifeboat. The casualty was lifted into the stretcher and then winched back up with the diver to the helicopter which flew to Treliske Hospital. The lifeboat, meanwhile, returned to station where she was rehoused at 1713.

Following this service a letter of appreciation signed by Lt Cdr Brian Miles, deputy director and chief of operations, was sent to Helmsman Norman Bailey and his crew..