Crew overboard during yacht rescue The Thanks of the Institution on Vellum has been awarded to helmsman Duane Brown of Walmer lifeboat after the rescue of three Belgians from their yacht Josse,aground on the Goodwin Sands, in strong winds and turbulent seas.

For their determination and support, crew members John Collins and Shaun East have been awarded framed letters of appreciation signed by Chairman Mr Michael Vernon.

Monitoring radio signals on 18 July 1991, Walmer's honorary secretary heard that the 28ft yacht Josse was in difficulties on the South East Goodwin Sands. After consulting Dovercoastguard, the Atlantic 21 lifeboat US Navy League, on temporary duty at Walmer, was launched at 1344 with Duane Brown at the helm. The wind was Force 5.But once the lifeboat was clear of the lee of the land, conditions worsened. The wind was gusting to strong Gale Force 8/9 and at one point a heavy sea stood the lifeboat virtually on end.

It was established by radio that Josse was aground, being pounded by the waves and shipping water. The three occupants considered themselves to be in imminent danger.

All 358, the lifeboat arrived on scene, having covered the just over four miles in just 14 minutes. The wind was now Force 6 with confused breaking 8-11 ft seas, and with a swell across the sands.Helmsman Brown positioned the lifeboat head-to-sea astern of the yacht and prepared to take off the crew.

The echosounder indicated depths ranging from 20ft to zero and on the first approach the lifeboat landed heavily in a trough, touching bottom.

By careful and skilled use of the throttle, the lifeboat was manoeuvred close enough to the first survivor for him to be transferred successfully.

As the boats ranged violently, the lifeboat was knocked clear by heavy breaking seas. She was manoeuvred back into position, but as crew member John Collins reached over to assist the second survivor, a heavy sea knocked him into the water.

He retained a grip on the lifeboat, and helmsman Brown had to drive his craft hard astern to avoid Collins being crushed between the two boats.

Crew member Shaun East rushed forward to grab Collins, and at one point pushed him down when it appeared he might be crushed.

Collins was helped aboard the lifeboat bruised but essentially uninjured.

East sprained his wrist during the incident. Brown turned back to the casualty and the two remaining survivors were brought aboard. Clearof the confused seas over the sands, at 1430 the survivors were transferred to Ramsgate's Tyne class lifeboat with crew member Collins, who was beginning to suffer from the effects of his immersion in the sea.

The Ramsgate lifeboat passed a line to tow Josse back to shore and Collins returned to the Atlantic 21 for passage back to Walmer. They reached shore at 1530.

The yacht and the three survivors were brought safely to harbour by Ramsgate lifeboat at 1639. Happily, neither Collins nor East suffered any lasting after-effects..