Three rescued from tug after night collision with coaster Shane Coleman, Second Coxswain/Mechanic of the Lowestoft lifeboat has been awarded the RNLI's Bronze medal for bravery for rescuing three men from a sinking tug with the Lowestoft pilot boat.In his official account of the rescue, Tom Nutman, divisional inspector of lifeboats for the east division commented: 'Mr Coleman showed excellent handling skills and put himself and his boat into danger to effect the rescue. His prompt, courageous actions no doubt saved the three survivors who would have been thrown into the winter sea soon afterwards without lifejackets or other lifesaving aids.'The incident occurred shortly after midnight on 26 January 1990, when Shane Coleman, having put a pilot aboard the 240ft Oakham, was alone aboard the Lowestoft pilot boat. It was a dark night with a severe gale Force 9 to storm Force 10 wind from the south west, seas of 6ft and driving spray and, shortly after landing the pilot, he saw the coaster collide with a 60ft tug.

Sinking The tug, Impulsion, had been struck on her port quarter by the coaster's bow and began to list heavily to port. Shane Coleman immediately took the pilot boat around the coaster's stern towards the tug, but by the time he reached her she was already sinking rapidly, with the stern under water at an angle of some 50 degrees and her wheelhouse only about 4ft above the surface.

The three crew members had climbed out of the forward wheelhouse windows and could be seen standing on the top of the wheelhouse with cordage and flotsam from the tug floating all around. Coleman realised that there was no time to spare and made a fast approach towards the starboard side of the casualty, aware that no matter how he approached her the pilot boat would be among the floating debris .

As he drew close he slowed and, whensome 1 Oft away, the port engine stalled when the propeller was fouled by debris. He increased speed on the starboard engine and drove his boat up to the starboard side of the tug's wheelhouse, from where the three survivors stepped aboard.

With only the starboard engine functioning Coleman went astern to get clear, but within half a boat's length the remaining engine stalled as its propeller also fouled on a line in the water.

Pulled under All three crew were now safely off the tug, but the pilot boat was without power and, with lines from the tug firmly around both propellers, there was a distinct possibility that the pilot boat would be pulled under as the tug sank. He informed the coastguard of the situation by radio and asked for lifeboat assistance.

Asking all three survivors to put on lifejackets from the pilot boat he prepared the liferaftfor immediate use and, at 0050 the tug sank.

The stern of the pilot boat was pulled down by the lines fouling her propellers and still attached to the tug, but fortunately she remained above the water.

Eleven minutes later the Lowestoft lifeboat came alongside and took the three men from the tug aboard. The youngest survivor was badly shocked and having decided to land them at Lowestoft the three survivors were ashore by 0145.

The lifeboat returned to tow the pilot boat back to Lowestoft after she had been cut free from the wreckage..