Crew's 'fine teamwork' during 16-hour service The crew of Wells Mersey class lifeboat Doris M. Mann of Ampthill have been commended following a 16-hour service which 'was dominated by a fine display of teamwork' in winds of up to Gale force, and rough, short, breaking seas.Both coxswain/mechanic Graham Walker and crew member James Case have been awarded a framed letter of thanks from the Chairman, and second coxswain Allen Frary, assistant mechanic Michael Frary and crew members Frederick Whitaker, Darren Hume and James Wright have all been sent a letter of thanks from the Institution's Director for their part 'in this long and eventful service'.

At 0936 on 16 October 1991, Yarmouth coastguard requested that the Wells lifeboat be launched to escort the fishing vessel Cerealia to safe harbour.

The casualty was taking in wa-ter six-and-a-half miles north of Wells station. A pump had been put aboard the vessel by RAF helicopter.

At 0948 the lifeboat left the boathouse for a low-water launch at Holkham Beach, and at 1009, Doris M.

Mann of Ampthill launched from her carriage and proceeded at full speed.

The wind was SW Force 6/7 with a slight sea, and it was overcast with rain, giving moderate visibility.

VHP communication confirmed that the pump was keeping up with the ingress of water and that Cerealia was steaming towards Wells.

'The rendezvous was made at 1017 near Bridgirdle Buoy, and the lifeboat escorted Cerealia to the shelter of Holkham Bay, to wait for the tide for the attempt to enter Wells Harbour.

The wind was now a WSW Force 7.

In view of the weather forecast - that the wind would increase in force and veer further - the lifeboat crew decided to escort the casualty into Wells Harbour, reckoning it should be possible at high water, despite the neap tides. To assist, at 1250, crew member James Case, the designated emergency coxswain and Wells Harbour pilot, went aboard the casualty.

The lifeboat lead Cerealia across Wells Bar, but the westerly wind had held back the tide and the casualty touched and stuck at No 3 buoy. A fishing vessel had also attempted to enter ahead of the lifeboat and had stuck at No 6 buoy. Wells lifeboat managed to pull the fishing boat clear for it to enter Wells.

Meanwhile, Case had manoeuvred Cerealia clear of the bank and turned her in the restricted space to head back out to open sea, clear of the bar.

The lifeboat joined her at 1312.

It was decided to take the casualty to Kings Lynn, the nearest shelteredharbour. The two survivors were by now very wet and tired and so were taken off. Crew member Wright was put on board Cerealia to assist Case.

At 1325 passage was started towards Kings Lynn with the lifeboat assisting the fishing vessel with a tow to increase speed in the worsening conditions.

However, at 1420, the pump on the casualty ceased to function and the water started to build up.

Having recovered the towline, coxswain Walker approached the casualty, now wallowing heavily to port.

With the lifeboat's starboard side kept well clear of the towing gallows aft, a lifeboat pump was put aboard Cerealia, along with a third crew member, Frederick Whitaker.

But as the lifeboat pulled clear astern she came down on a heavy metal lead on the starboard bow of the casualty, which dented her hull.

With the lifeboat standing by, the crew on board Cerealia were able to clear the water from the casualty and restart her engines. Passage was resumed at 1440, the casualty under her own power and making 5-6 knots under lifeboat escort. The wind was now Gale Force from the WSW, giving rough, short, breaking seas in the shallow water of the Inner Wash.

As, at 1630, Cerealia's engine was cutting out, the lifeboat once again took her in tow. At 1830, well in the shelter of the Inner Wash, both vessels anchored to wait for the tide. At 2055, the anchor was slipped and passage made up the river to Kings Lynn.

At 2215, both casualty and the lifeboat were alongside at Kings Lynn, and the refuelled lifeboat sailed for Wells at 2326.

At 0205 the next day, the lifeboat crossed Wells bar and was beached at 0217, over 16 hours after her launch..