Hurricane-force winds as two lifeboats search for missing diversThe rescue of two skin divers in appalling weather conditions has won Acting Coxswain James Dougal a Silver Medal for Gallantry. Weather and sea conditions during the service were extremely hazardous, demanding absolute concentration to maintain control of the lifeboat.The divisional inspector of lifeboats for Scotland South, Tony Course, said: 'The courage displayed in his willingness to undertake the dangerous passage is exemplary, and the skill and determination of all crew members during this arduous service in a lifeboat with a partially exposed wheelhouse are worthy of the highest praise.' Soon after 1600 on Sunday 6 October 1990 a dramatic change in weather conditions led to hurricane-force northerly winds along the east coast of Scotland, and it soon became clear to Coastguards that a number of divers had been caught at sea. Three lifeboats were alerted, Dunbar, St Abbs and Eyemouth. The winds were far in excess of the launching limitations for St Abbs' rigid inflatable, but the 48ft 6in Solent class lifeboat Hugh William Viscount Cough at Dunbar was launched at 1644 and Eyemouth at 1649.

Failure A telephone failure at Eyemouth as a result of the severe conditions meant that neither the coxswain nor second coxswain could be alerted, so the un-named 44ft Waveney class lifeboat 44-001 on relief duty at the station set out with the assistant mechanic, James Dougal, at the helm.

Taking the lifeboat out of the narrow harbour entrance into the face of 100-knot winds was only the first hazard. It was shortly after high water, spring tides and the River Eye was in spate. 20ft seas were running into the entrance and crashing over the sea walls and visibility was virtually nonexistent in the rain, spume and spray.

The lifeboat was scarcely controllable as she took heavy head seas overall but once clear of the dangerous rocks James Dougal headed for St Abbs where one group of divers had been caught in the storm. The lifeboat met seas of 35ft head-on, the actingcoxswain reducing power each time as he negotiated them.

The 44ft boat rolled violently as she drove on, her side decks awash.

By 1715 the lifeboat was off St Abbs Harbour.

Visibility was about50 yards, wind 90 knots and 35ft seas were breaking over the rocky outcrops. An Auxiliary Coastguard at St Abbs had spotted two of the divers from the harbour wall, but lost sight of them in the spray. All he could see of the lifeboat was her searchlight beam, and with that as his only reference he guided her to the scene. Less than 200ft from the lifeboat ' s starboard side lay the Cathedral Rock, the same distance to port jutted the Ebb Carr Rocks. Neither were visible and the heavy spray made them undetectable by radar. The acting coxswain persevered, his crew, lifelines secured, out on deck scouring the sea for the divers until they spotted them, close to a creel buoy.

Heaving line On the third attempt James Dougal brought the lifeboat close enough for a heaving line to be thrown to the divers. They were hauled alongside and manoeuvred one at a time to a position where they could be hauled aboard, encumbered by their diving equipment.While the survivors were treated for shock and hypothermia the acting coxswain used all his skill to keep the lifeboat in position and to minimise the violent motion caused by the sea conditions.

Two divers were still missing south of St Abbs, and the lifeboat began a search for them. However, there was concern for the two survivors aboard aboard the lifeboat, who were severely seasick, and an attempt was made to land them at St Abbs. This had to be abandoned as conditions at the harbour entrance were too dangerous for the lifeboat to enter. The Waveney continued her search until 1900, when an attempt was made to winch the two survivors into a helicopter, but this too had to be abandoned because of the extreme conditions.

Suspended The search was suspended by the coastguard at 1945 and the lifeboat headed south for Eyemouth. On reaching the entrance it was obvious that there was no safe way into the harbour so the coxswain was forced to continue along the coast to Burnmouth.

Although the entrance was less dangerous there was an additional hazard - a power cut had extinguished the leading lights needed to enter - but car headlights were used to guide the lifeboat in to land the survivors.

Fifteen minutes later Dunbar's 48ft 6in Solent class lifeboat followed the Eyemouth lifeboat into Burnmouth Harbour. She had been out for three hours in the same seas, searching the rocky coastline off St Abbs Head. The two remaining divers were washed safely ashore north of Eyemouth.

The Thanks of the Institution on Vellum has been awarded to the other members of the Eyemouth lifeboat crew: Acting Mechanic John Buchan, Acting Assistant Mechanic David Collins and Crew Members George Walker, Joseph Walker, Robert Walker and Alistair Crombie. The coxswain of the Dunbar, lifeboat Robert Wight, was also awarded The Thanks of the Institution on Vellum..