Lifeboatman overboard during long service to stricken coaster Members of the Scarborough lifeboat crew hauled their own Second Coxswain, John Trotter, to safety aboard their new Mersey class lifeboat Fanny Victoria Wilkinson and Frank Stubbs in difficult circumstances after he was thrown overboard while on service to the German coaster Vineta on 29 September 1991.The 1,700-ton Vineta had suffered machinery failure and was dragging her anchor five miles NNW of Scarborough Castle, drifting dangerously close to rocks, when coxswain Stuart Ogden and his ere w launched at 1129 to relieve Whitby's Tyne class lifeboat, City of Sheffield. The Tyne had been at the scene for several hours, awaiting the arrival of a tug to tow the disabled coaster to safety.

As the Scarborough lifeboat arrived at the scene at 1155, Vineta was taking water into her engine room and a pump was put aboard by a helicopter. The Whitby lifeboat returned to her station, arriving back at the scene some four-and-a-half hours later, at 1625, to relieve the Scarborough boat as the tug was not expected till 1900.

However, no sooner had the Scarborough crew reached their station at 1643, than the coastguard advised them that the tug, Lady Moira, was now expected an hour earlier.

With time only to check the fuel, the lifeboat returned to the casualty, taking portable radios for the six crew of the Vineta because of problems with lack of contact with the casualty.

At 1750, Vineta was told that the lifeboat intended to transfer the radios to the coaster and second coxswain John Trotter positioned himself on the starboard bow ready for the approach.

The wind was now NE Force 6-7, and the sea state was rough with seas and swell almost 20ft high. Any approach would be difficult, but the safest way was to bring the lifeboat's starboard bow up to the port side of the casualty's stern.

As the lifeboat made the run in to within 6ft of the casualty Vineta lifted on a big swell and the lifeboat fell off a sea under the coaster'scounter - just as second coxswain Trotter threw the radio to the crew of the ship.

Already off-balance as the lifeboat went astern to avoid being caught under the ship'scounter, he was thrown into the sea and the tidal stream swept him out from under the counter of the ship and away from her stern.

Prompt actions by crew members Peter Harrington, John Pearson and Colin Lawson saved the situation. A line was thrown and second coxswain Trotter was brought alongside and on board with the aid of the lifting strop. He was bruised but otherwise unharmed.

Contact was re-established with the casualty and once the tug had arrived both lifeboats stood by as the tow lines were passed and Vineta taken to safety. At 1920, the coastguard stood down the lifeboats After his ordeal, second coxswain Trotter said: 'I was only in the water five or ten minutes but it felt like a lifetime. The lads had it all under control, though.'.