Sick yachtsman rescued in Gale force winds and 15ft seasJohn Hartland, 42, helmsman of the Withernsea inshore lifeboat has been awarded the Institution's Bronze Medal for bravery following the landing of a sick yachtsman in extreme and hazardous conditions on 15 May 1991.At 1640, Humber coastguard alerted Withernsea's station honorary secretary that the 24ft yacht Frangipani was in difficulties two-and-a-half miles offshore. The station's 16ft D class lifeboat was launched ten minutes later, with John Hartland at the helm.

As the wind was a northerly Force 5 / 6, with heavy, breaking 6-8ft waves, the lifeboat had to be launched from the Central Promenade, two extra men having to help the three crew.

The lifeboat was driven as fast as conditions would allow even though it was continually filling with water.

And with blown spray restricting visibility, helmsman Hartland was only able to see ahead when the inflatable crested a wave.

At 1720, on reaching the casualty, the crew found the two occupants had stowed the sails and set the engine running slow ahead. Only one of the survivors was wearing a lifejacket, and neither had proper foulweather gear. The skipper was slumped complaining of engine fumes.

Hartland decided to take him aboard the lifeboat. The wind was gusting Force 7, with moderate visibility andrough 15ft seas. Loose gear and ropes in the water meant Hartland's only approach could be on the port side. It required absolute concentration to manoeuvre the lifeboat under these conditions.

But as all the crew held the lifeboat alongside the casualty, a very large sea reared up, taking both craft up a wall of water. As it passed, the sick man rolled out of the yacht, to be grabbed by the lifeboatmen.

Paul Baker, a former lifeboat crewman who had volunteered for this service, administered first aid using his skills as a community nurse. He assessed that an ambulance would be needed for the man back on shore.

The crew then learned that the remaining yachtsman aboard Frangipani only had 9 hours sailing experience, so it was decided that lifeboatman Paul Theobald should transfer to the craft. This was achieved at the first attempt, and Theobald took controlJ to await the arrival of Humber's Arun class lifeboat.

Withernsea's D class lifeboat now made for shore, Hartland deciding to ride on the back of large seas - a slow, but safer option. The sick man was lapsing into unconsciousness, but Baker kept him awake by tapping his hand and talking to him.

At 1745, with a 10-12ft following sea, the lifeboat landed on the only remaining few feet of sand at the foot of the slip. The sick man was taken to a waiting ambulance and later made a full recovery in hospital. The lifeboat was ready again for service at 1845.

The yacht Frangipani was taken in tow by the Humber lifeboat, Withernsea crewman Theobald staying aboard for the two-and-a-half hour trip back to Grimsby.

This inflatable was launched into conditions at the limits of the capabilities of the D class lifeboat, and the additional hazard of ropes and gear from the yacht in the water demanded great skill from the helmsman in executing the service successfully.

In his official report, Tim Harrison, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for the east division, wrote: 'Hartland had not taken the helm in these conditions before but coped admirably and showed fine seamanship and great courage.' For their part in this service, lifeboat crew members Paul Theobald and Paul Baker have been awarded the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum..