Crew transferred to casualty in near-gale conditions The chief of operations has written to Bembridge lifeboat station commending the coxswain and crew for their efforts during a five-hour service in rough conditions on 14 July 1990.

The Coastguard had informed the station at 0950 that a 30ft ketch, Jenny Wren, was meeting adverse conditions 23 miles south of the Nab Tower. The two people aboard were seasick and exhausted after 24 hours at sea.As a result the Tyne class lifeboat Max Aitken III was launched at 1000 into a strong easterly breeze and rough seas, reaching the casualty at 1107.

The crew of the yacht were too exhausted to lower the sails or heave-to and in the difficult sea conditions, with the Force 6 to 7 wind over the tide, the second coxswain decided not to risk damage or injury by going alongside and asked a helicopter which was on the scene to lift two members of the lifeboat crew on to the casualty.

The two men, Colin Smith and Alan Attrill, suffered heavy bruising as they boarded the yacht in the rough conditions, but once aboard they were able to lower the sails and bring the yacht under control ready to establish a tow. The owner of the yacht and his crew asked to be taken off, and the helicopter lifted them aboard and transferred them bothto the shore.

A towline was passed to the yacht and she was taken to Bembridge Harbour, a passage of almost three hours in very rough conditions.

The casualty was secured alongside at 1445, but the sea conditions precluded rehousing the lifeboat, so she remained in the harbour until early the following morning.

The owner of the yacht made a generous donation to branch funds and to the crew in appreciation of this service..