Awards for helmsman and crew members of Cleethorpes D class A service by Cleethorpes' D class inflatable in winds of up to storm Force 10 to five canoeists and a yacht has earned the helmsman, David Steenvoorden, the Institution's Bronze medal for gallantry and crew members Martin Kennedy and Alan Burton the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum.

The service, part of a busy day for thestation which ended with another call to a raft race and the rescue of a total of 36 people, was reported fully in the Winter 1989/1990 issue of THE LIFEBOAT.

Extreme Mr Tim Harrison, the deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for the East division, said in his official report of the service that the helmsman and crew had been 'at sea for over four hours, a great part of which was in extreme conditions for a D class lifeboat', and commended their fine courage and seamanship.

He added that helmsman Steenvoorden's ability to locate the casualties in extremely poor visibility showed 'how local knowledge and quick thinking can be used to best advantage'.

The lifeboat had put to sea at 1021 on Sunday 30 July 1989 to locate five canoeists on a charity paddle and experienced conditions which deteriorated to storm Force 10 winds with driving rain and spray which reduced visibility to almost nil at times.

Helmsman Steenvoorden quickly located the casualties in the appalling conditions and took them aboard the lifeboat.

With eight people aboard, the lifeboat was continually full of water in the confused, 10ft seas and was operating at veryreduced speeds because of the load and sea state. The helmsman made a very difficult but skilled transfer to a pilot launch which was on passage nearby.

The inflatable then proceeded to a yacht aground at Spurn Point and towed her to safety before returning to her station after nearly four hours at sea.

A full account of the lifeboat's eventful day appeared in the previous issue of THE LIFEBOAT..