Six rescued despite Atlantic steering fault Outstanding seamanship and determination during a five-hour service has earned David Wells, helmsman of Clacton's Atlantic 21 lifeboat, the RNLI's Bronze Medal. Crew member Terence Bolingbroke was awarded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum and crew member Thomas Ridley a framed Letter of Appreciation signed by the Institution's Chairman.Clacton's B579 with David Wells at the helm and Walton and Frinton's 48ft 6in Solent under the command of the coxswain Robert Kemp launched at 1438 on 1 November 1991 to the 29ft yacht Two Mner. She was aground on the south side of Buxey Sand with six persons on board. The weather was overcast with a Force 6 wind.

Clacton's Institute of London Underwriters experienced rough head seas and continual rain, which reduced visibility. Near the Wallet Spitway, an hydraulic leak caused a total steering failure. The problem was rectified and, with difficulty, the system was topped up but the spillage of fluid made the lifeboat's deck, console and sponsons very slippery. The steering was spongy but helmsman Wells continued towards the yacht, located at 1510 SE of Buxey Sand.

She was listing heavily to port and the SSW Force 7-8 wind and very rough 6ft breaking seas were causing violent motion.

Skilled manoeuvring To put lifeboatman Bolingbroke aboard, helmsman Wells manoeuvred the lifeboat's starboard shoulderagainst the port quarter of the yacht with great skill. Bolingbroke found the skipper calm but her crew were all inexperienced.

It was decided to tow the casualtyclear, a towline was secured and slowly the yacht moved off the sand.

Once clear, the tow was slipped and the yacht was manoeuvred to the south, then west. As Clacton lifeboat led the way towards the entrance to the River Crouch, Walton lifeboat returned to station, mooring at 1657.

Two Niner 's skipper was unhappyabout entering the Crouch in the approaching darkness, so the yacht was escorted to Essex Marina at Wallasea.

There, the Clacton crew added more fluid to the steering reservoir.

At 1830, in total darkness and a Force 8 wind, Clacton lifeboat left Wallasea to return to station. Conditions were very poor through the Ray Sand Channel. Passing Knoll Buoy, a particularly large sea broke from the darkness, burying the bow and suddenly retarding the lifeboat. Regaining control, helmsman Wells discovered lifeboatman Thomas Ridley was missing and turned the lifeboat immediately to retrace his course.

Bolingbroke and Wells had only a matter of minutes to stand a fair chance of finding their colleague.

Retro-reflective tape Bolingbroke saw a flash of light ahead - the retro-reflective tape on Ridley's lifejacket had reflected the lifeboat's navigation lights. Ridley was located 50 yards ahead and quickly recovered, though not without hazard as both lifeboatmen had to help him aboard, leaving the lifeboat beam on to sea. Ridley was bruised but not seriously injured.

On the lifeboat's arrival at Clacton Pier, the slipway trolley was rigged for a net recovery. The swell was severe, and helmsman Wells chose his moment to enter the trolley. The lifeboat lodged in the arrester netand the trolley was winched clear of the sea. Clacton's Atlantic 21 was back on station at 1926, five hours after the service had begun..