Lifeboat and casualty swept by breakers during rescue The Director of the RNLI has written to the Cullercoats station congratulating the Helmsman, Robert Oliver, and the crew of the C class inflatable. The letter followed a service to an open, 27ft ex-ship's lifeboat, HeraldD, which was ashore in heavy weather four miles north of the station. The two occupants were saved.It was 1308 on 9 June 1990 when the Coastguard first informed the lifeboat station of the casualty, and seven minutes later the C class launched in a NE Force 5 wind which was increasing. The wind was blowing the tops from the waves, and the boat and crew suffered severe punishment while driving into the sea and weather. In the 7ft sea the inflatable could only reach maximum speed in the troughs and the helmsman had to 'tack' the boat to windward.

Arriving on scene at Hartley Bay the casualty could be seen ashore on rocks, with waves up to 10ft high breaking over her. A little offshore a submerged ridge of rocks (locally called The Bank) was making the swell bigger still.

The crew prepared lines for an attempt to tow the casualty off and Helmsman Oliver steered for an opening in The Bank just 30ft wide. Driving the boat in through 1 Oft breakers, with continuously breaking seas outside and inside, he avoided numerous crab pot lines and went in past the casualty to turn into the breakers and come alongside her.

Herald D had swung round, with her sternfast on rocks, and the lifeboat was driven on to her weather side with great skill as she lifted and ranged in the force of breakers. A tow line was passed and, with waves breaking over both lifeboat andcasualty, the helmsman held the inflatable in position with the throttle until the line was secured.

Nursing the lifeboat over the incoming breakers until the tow line was taut an attempt was made to drag the casualty clear of the rocks, but being an open boat she was almost filled and began to broach as the tow tightened. The lifeboat's helmsman, realising what was happening, allowed the breakers to drive the boat back towards the casualty.

With the line retrieved Helmsman Oliver waited for a chance to turn and took the lifeboat down past the casualty again. Judging it perfectly, he swung the lifeboat head tosea and drove her alongside the casualty.

Herald D was almost down when the lifeboat came alongside, and one man jumped aboard while the other had to be helped .

The lifeboat then headed out through the breakers to slightly quieter waters going ahead through 9ft to 1 Oft breakers until it was safe to set course for Seaton Sluice, the nearest harbour.

Because of the state of the tide Seaton Sluice harbour entrance was dry and the lifeboat swung away to the north until the breaking seas could be brought astern and she could be driven straight onto the beach.

The crew pulled the lifeboat clear of the water, with help from the breakers, and the two rescued men were delivered into the care of a Coastguard MRU Land Rover.

The C class was then relaunched through the heavy surf and returned to station, beaching there at 1405 and being ready for service again at 1415..