Crew member leaps aboard casualty from C class inflatable Helmsman Peter Heading and Crew Member Robert Gorman of Aberystwyth lifeboat station have been awarded the RNLI's Bronze medal for Gallantry following the rescue of a lone yachtsman in September last year, a rescue which involved towing the man's 18ft boat across the bar to safetyin very dangerous conditions.

Lifeboat crew member Michael Harris has been accorded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum for his part in the service.

Lifeboat crew members David Davies and Martin Porter, and Alan Blair, Brian Slack, Bryan Pugh-Jones and Sandro James, all members of the crew of a fishing boat which also played a major part in the rescue, have received framed letters of thanks signed by the RNLI Chairman.

George Rawlinson. deputy inspector of lifeboats for the western division, paid tribute in his official report to the crews' 'skills in seamanship, communication and boat handling and the way in which they coped with a dangerous situation in a calm and well-disciplined manner'.

Wind-over-Cide The incident began at 1655 on 18 September 1990 when Milford Haven coastguard informed the station's deputy launching authority that the 18ft yacht Otter, with one man aboard, was in difficulties some threequarters of a mile north-west of Castle Point.

The crew's pagers were activated and. at 1705, the station's C class lifeboat was launched with Peter Heading at the helm.The wind was SW Force 5, with 5ft to 6ft seas running outside the shelter of the harbour.

The flow from the two rivers which enter the sea at Aberystwyth was causing hazardous 'wind-over-tide' conditions on the bar following some heavy rain, but Helmsman Heading took the 17ft 6in inflatable skilfully through the seas to arrive alongside the casualty at 1710. Once there he discovered that the yacht's engine had failed and, although she was still sailing, the man aboard was tired, cold and concerned.

Helmsman Heading decided that the best course of action would be to tow the casualty back to harbour and so he brought the lifeboat against the yacht's starboard side, avoiding lines trailing in the water, and Crew Member Mike Harris leapt aboard with a towline. When safely aboard Mike Harris took charge of the yacht and made fast the line, lowered the sails and stood by the helm. The weather was worsening and DLA Alan Blair became concerned that the lifeboat, with the yacht in tow,would encounter difficulties in the dangerous conditions on the bar.

Another member of the lifeboat crew, Robert Gorman, agreed to use his own 32ft fast fishing boat Seren-v-Mor, to stand by and offer assistance. Four men volunteered to act as crew: Sandro James (a lifeboat helmsman), Brian Slack (a lifeboat crew man), Bryan Pugh-Jones (a former lifeboat crew man) and DLA Alan Blair (a former lifeboat senior helmsman and RNLI bronze medal holder).

The fishing boat put to sea at 1745 and while crossing the bar, was hit by a 9ft wave, which fortunately caused no damage. With the wind now SW Force 6 to 7 and with 6ft to 8ft seas Seren-y-Mor arrived at the casualty at 1755. On hearing of the conditions encountered crossing the bar. Helmsman Heading decided to pass the tow to the fishing boat, which proved to be an extremely difficult task due to the violent motion. The three craft were manoeuvred to lie in the same wave trough and with expert seamanship, communication and boathandling. the tow line was successfully passed across tc Seren-y-Mor.

Steering difficult With the yacht tending to broach in the following seas Mike Harris found steering difficult, so he fashioned an effective drogue from a Calor Gas cylinder. Despite the success of the impromptu drogue great care wa; still required to strike a balance betweer avoiding a broach and breaking the tiller.

Approaching the bar the towline was shortened, but a particularly large wave picked up the yacht and bore her down on the stern of Seren-y-Mor. Mike Harris read tin situation well and steered the yacht clear, bu the same wave broke over the after-deck ol the fishing boat, knocking Bryan Pugh-Jone; off his feet but fortunately not into the sea.

Using all his concentration and skil Richard Gorman brought Seren-y-Mor anc her tow safely across the bar and all thre( craft entered harbour without mishap.

The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 1900..