Eighteen lifeboats at sea as storm sweeps country 'Services varied from false alarms - both with good intent and malicious - to fishing vessels and commercial passenger vessels...' The severe storms which swept much of the country on 25 January 1990 were the worst since the infamous hurricane of late 1987. The storm force winds seemed to affect larger areas of the country, and many places experienced even worse conditions this year then in 1987.

In the Western Approaches Falmouth Coastguard recorded Force 12 for some three hours and further along the Channel Dover Coastguard recorded Force 11 with gusts to 85mph. The RNLI headquarters at Poole experienced one gust of 105mph and many places nearby also recorded up to 1 lOmph.

On the west coast at Swansea the wind was steady at Force 10, with one gust to 92mph and Great Yarmouth also recorded a maximum of 92mph with the wind never dropping below 80mph for a full hour.

The north escaped the worst of this particular storm although Aberdeen was experiencing winds of up to Force 9.No fewer than 18 lifeboats launched during the day, many experiencing quite atrocious conditions on services which varied from false alarms - both with good intent and malicious - to fishing vessels and commercial passenger vessels.

Launches The lifeboats on service according to reports received at headquarters by 22 February 1990 were:Lerwick - Scotland North Division. Lerwick's 52ft Arun class Soldian launched on service to the fishing vesselNHDesperadum, 15 miles south of Lerwick, which had sprung a leak above the waterline. A helicopter lowered a pump to the casualty and the lifeboat towed the vessel to Lerwick.

Barra - Scotland South Division. The 52ft Arun class lifeboat Ann Lewis Fraser launched on service to EPIRB satellite detection alarm, with a helicopter assisting.

Source of beacon located as coming from a Japanese tanker. No further action required and all units stood down.

Eyemouth - Scotland South Division. The 44ft Waveney class Eric Seal (Civil ServiceNo. 36) launched on service to the fishing vessel Mary B which was overdue in severe weather. The casualty was later located in Burnmouth Harbour.

Newcastle - Ireland Division. The Oakley class lifeboat Jane Hay launched on service to reports of red flares off Kilkeel. Later reports suggested the red flares had been fired from the land and all units were stood down.

Valentia - Ireland Division. The 52ft Arun class Margaret Francis Love launched on service. No details were available at the time of going to press.

Whitby - East Division. Whitby's relief Tyne class Owen and Ann Aisher launched on service to the coble Guide Me, seven miles NNE of Whitby with a fouled propeller.

The lifeboat towed the casualty into Whitby harbour.

Flamborough and Bridlington-East Division.

Flamborough's 37ft Oakley class lifeboat The Will and Fanny Kirby and Bridlington's 12m Mersey class lifeboat Peggy and Alex Caird launched on serviceto a 'Mayday' made on CB radio, reporting a position 2 miles east of Flamborough Head.

Rescue helicopter also scrambled. A thorough search of the area was made but nothing was found and the incident classed as a malicious hoax.

Lowestoft and Gorleston - East Division.

Lowestof t' s 47ft Ty ne class lifeboat Spirit of Lowestoft and Gorleston's 44ft Waveney class Barham launched on service to the tug Impulsion, two miles north east of Lowestoft.

The vessel had capsized and all three crew were recovered by Lowestoft's pilot boat.

Newhaven - South East Division. The 44ft Waveney class Connel Elizabeth Cat-gill launched on service to the RoRo ferry Chartres which had main engines failure.

The casualty later re-started her main engines and proceeded at reduced speed. All units were stood down.Shoreham Harbour - South East Division.

Shoreham Harbour's Watson class Joseph Soar (Civil Service No. 34) launched on service to a red flare sighted 5 miles SSW of Shoreham, with a coastguard helicopter in attendance. The area was searched but nothing was seen. Classified as false alarm. All units stood down.

Bembridge - South East Division. Bernbridge's 47ft Tyne class MaxAitken III was launched on service, with a helicopter, to a fishing vessel sighted drifting downwind close to No Man's Land Fort in the eastern Solent. The upturned hull of the vessel was located and after further enquiries by the coastguard it was discovered that the vessel had broken free from its moorings at Ryde, and no one had been on board. Classified as a false alarm and all units stood down.

StHelier- South West Division. StHelier's Tyne class lifeboat Alexander Coutanche launched on service to the French trawler Antaeus, eight miles west of Jersey with a fouled propeller. The obstruction was later removed and casualty proceeded on her way, escorted by the lifeboat for a short time.

Exmouth-SouthWestDivision. Exmouth's relief Brede class Foresters Future launched on service to a man who had fallen overboard from a dinghy off Starcross. While the lifeboat searched the area the coastguard confirmed that the man had made his own way ashore. All units were stood down.

Plymouth-South West Division. Plymouth's 52ft Arun City of Plymouth launched on service to a cabin cruiser, Liza, in danger of sinking at her moorings off Mashfords Yard.

The casualty was taken from her moorings and assisted into Sutton Harbour. The lifeboat was then diverted to the yacht Scheherazade which had lost steering controls whilst in Clovelly Bay's marina. The casualty was towed to Sutton Harbour. The lifeboat was again diverted to another vessel, Golden Venture moored at Cattledown, where she landed a man.

St Ives - South West Division. The relief Oakley class lifeboat Fairlight launched on service to a coaster, Biscay Pride, which was dragging her anchor in St Ives Bay. The casualty had both anchors down and main engines running. Winds later moderated and the casualty moved clear of St Ives Bay towards Bideford.

Barry Dock - South West Division. The relief 52ft Arun class lifeboat Duchess of Kent launched on service to deck cargo pontoon Jimmie Mac, three miles east of Barry Dock with three of her four anchor cables parted. The lifeboat stood by until two tugs were able to tow the casualty into Barry Dock..