Double rescue AS MOST PEOPLE were sitting down to their lunch on Sunday, October 19, 1986, Bridlington Coastguard was alerted to a small craft reported to be in trouble off Ulrome. At 1307 the honorary secretary of Bridlington lifeboatstation was informed by the coastguard and agreed to an immediate launch of the station's 16ft D class inflatable lifeboat from the beach.

Overcast weather, frequent rain squalls and the wind at west south west force 6, rising to force 8, reduced visibility virtually to nil on the way to the casualty and, once beyond the shelter of the land, the seas became more rough and confused. Helmsman Andrew Brompton had to reduce from full speed as the lifeboat was continually thrown over to port, one heavy sea throwing him off the helm as the boat landed.

The engine fastenings were damaged in this incident, but repairs were quickly effected and passage resumed. Breaking seas filled the lifeboat and visibility was further reduced by the blown spray and rain squalls. A coastguard mobile unit provided VHP radio guidance to the lifeboat and the casualty was located at 1342, drifting and awash about a mile from the shore.

With the wind at west south west force 8, Helmsman Brompton brought the lifeboat alongside the casualty's starboard side and, with Crew Members Clive Rank and Kenneth Smith holding on, the two survivors were taken aboard. A heavy sea lifted the casualty onto the apron of the lifeboat and it had to be thrown bodily clear. The survivors were landed at 1400, the lifeboat being filled with water twice on the run to the shore. Relaunched, the lifeboat towed the casualty to the beach, landing it at 1419.

As the tow was being completed, a second casualty was reported in trouble off Skipsea, a mile further south. The lifeboat reached the scene at 1430, the wind having moderated slightly to force 7 and found one survivor sitting astride a small sailing dinghy, unable to make headway. The survivor was too cold and wet to lower the sail and so Helmsman Brompton ran down the windward side of the casualty, enabling his crew to pluck the survivor aboard the lifeboat.

The dinghy capsized while the survivor was being asked how to lower the sail. Helmsman Brompton handed over the helm to Rank and jumped into the water, righting the casualty and dropping the sail before being hauled back aboard the lifeboat.

The casualty was taken in tow and,with the survivor, landed ashore at Skipsea at 1500.

Five minutes later the lifeboat headed back for Bridlington, arriving at 1615.

She was refuelled and ready for service by 1630.

Following this service the thanks of the Institution on vellum was accorded to Helmsman Andrew Brompton and vellum service certificates accorded to Crew Members Clive Rank and Kenneth Smith..