Atlantic 21 saves exhausted yachtsman from breaking seas on lee shoreHelmsman Alan Clarke of the Hunstanton lifeboat has been accorded the Thanks of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution inscribed on Vellum, following the rescue of a yachtsman aground on a lee shore near the station on 2 September 1989 in complete darkness.

Reporting on the service Mr Tim Harrison, deputy inspector of lifeboats East division, said: 'Helmsman Clarke and his crew carried out a difficult and dangerous service in shallow broken water with great efficiency and fine seamanship.'For their part in the rescue, crew members Victor Dade, Michael Wallace, Michael Darby and Stephen Garside will all receive Vellum Service Certificates.

Helmsman Alan Clarke already holds a RNLI bronze medal for the rescue of a boardsailor in March 1985, a bar to his bronze medal for landing an injured fisherman in February 1988 and a bravery testimonial on vellum from the Royal Humane Society for the rescue of a boardsailor, using the station's tractor, in December 1988.

The station first became aware of the situation at 1925 on 2 September 1989, when Hunstanton lifeboat Crew Member Victor Dade picked up a weak 'Mayday' message from the yacht Sanchia on his home scanner.

He alerted Helmsman Alan Clarke and the deputy launching authority Allan Parker and after consultation with Great Yarmouth Coastguard, Hunstanton's Atlantic 21 class lifeboat Spirir of America was launched at 1935.

The wind was NNW, Force 5 to 6 with seas some 5ft to 6ft high breaking on the beach.

Visibility was good in the twilight.Once clear of the surf, the helmsman set a north-easterly course with all possible speed and the casualty was sighted at 1947, stuck on Thornham Harbour bar, beam on to the sea and rolling heavily.

At this time it was discovered that thelifeboat's radio was jammed on 'transmit' and could not receive messages.

Assessing the situation, Helmsman Clarke decided that the best course of action would be to anchor upwind, veer down and try to tow the casualty clear. Great care and close concentration was required by the helmsman as the lifeboat's bow was lifted high by successive waves, covering the crew in spray.

A line was passed to the skipper of the yacht and on the third attempt he managed to grab it and secure it to the bow of the yacht.

At this point, a Wessex helicopter from RAF Coltishall arrived and stood-by.

The line was let out to its full extent and a tow started, but only slow progress was made. During the attempted tow the lifeboat was grounding in the troughs, and both the port and starboard engines cut-out at times asthey hit the sea bed and had to be restarted.

Suddenly a large sea, some 7ft in height, broke over the lifeboat, covering her in water.

As the Atlantic shot forward the tow parted and Crew Members Victor Dade and Michael Wallace received rope burns on their hands.

It was decided that the survivor should be evacuated from the yacht, and the lifeboat was turned to make an approach downwind.

As the bow of the lifeboat came alongside the casualty's port quarter on the first attempt three crew members grabbed the yachtsman and pulled him aboard the lifeboat.

It was now almost completely dark.

The survivor, who appeared to be in a state of shock, was placed behind the helmsman and between two crewmen to give him the greatest protection. The helicopter which had been standing by could not communicate with the lifeboat because of the radio problem and had to transfer one of its ere w to the lifeboat to confirm that only one person had been aboard the yacht.

The lifeboat made for the shore and reached the beach at Hunstanton at 2050. The radio was still inoperative and no communication was possible with the station tractor as the lifeboat came in for a net recovery. In the darkness, a large sea knocked the lifeboat and carriage off-course during the attempt, but quick thinking by the helmsman in throwing his engines full astern minimised any damage..