LIFEBOAT GROUNDS TWICE ON GALE-LASHED SANDBANK Four rescued in gale from stranded yacht The Director of the RNLI, Lt Cdr Brian Miles, has written to the honorary secretary of Lytham St Annes lifeboat station, Frank Kilroy, to congratulate the crew 'on a first class service in the best traditions of the lifeboat service'.

The service took place on 12 April 1992whenthe Ly tham St Annes Tyne class lifeboat Sarah Emily Harrop was launched to the rescue of four crew aboard the 23ft sailing yacht Wyvern, which was in difficulties after losing her steering in a Force 7 wind and heavy seas.

A member of the public had noticed the yacht in difficulties in heavybreaking surf in the River Ribble estuary and had phoned the boathouse.

At almost the same time, the yacht called the coastguard on VHP radio asking for assistance.

The lifeboat launched on service at 1905 in rough conditions, with the wind Force 7 to Gale Force 8 from the WNW, the sea state 5, and a swell of 2m to 3m. Twenty minutes after launching Sarah Emily Harrop located the yacht on a sandbank, being pounded by waves. Her rudder was locked to port and the tiller broken.

Coxswain Andrew Ashton made two approaches to the casualty, attempting to keep the lifeboat head-tosea in the shallow waters and confused breaking seas. On both attempts, the lifeboat touched bottom before reaching the yacht.

At this point a particularly large wave hit the yacht on her cabin top, knocking her down until both of her bilge keels showed. However, this wave did have a benefit, for as it receded it carried both the casualty and the lifeboat into deeper water.

On his third approach the coxswain went astern towards the casualty and succeeded in positioning the lifeboat within 5ft of the yacht.

This enabled Second Coxswain/ Mechanic Tony West to throw a line from the stern of the lifeboat onto the yacht at the first attempt, ensuring that no floating lines or other debris fouled the lifeboat's twin propellers.

With the line in place, Wyvern was towed out to deeper water some 2 miles offshore, then back to Lytham.

She was safely berthed on the lifeboat's reserve mooring at 1940 when the survivors were landed, suffering from seasickness and exposure.

The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 2055.

In his letter of congratulations, the Institution's Director wrote, 'In difficult seas the coxswain displayed great skill in manoeuvring the lifeboat to within the heaving line distance of the casualty and all crew members worked well as a team'.Out of retirement! Once a lifeboat, always a lifeboat - or at least ready to help when needed. The 52ft Barnett class exlifeboat Ramsey Dyce, formerly stationed at Aberdeen and Lochinver, was supposed to have retiredin!985butreturned briefly to her old calling on 3 May this year.

While she was in the Oban area with a party of divers the coastguard requested that any vessels in the vicinity of Ardmucknish Bay look out for a small boat with five divers aboard which had experienced engine failure. Ramsey Dyce was nearby and soon had the casualty alongside. The inflatable was towed to the nearest harbour at Dunstaffnage Bay and the divers were landed safely.

Once a lifeboatman, always a lif eboatman - or that was the case at Barrow on 19 March 1992 when the Barrow lifeboat mechanic Bryan Jackson enlisted the aid of ex-lifeboatman Ernest Diamond to rescue a windsurfer in a half-hour 'service' in the station's boarding boat.

Mechanic Bryan Jackson had been working on the station's slipway when he spotted the •windsurfer fighting to get his board upright in a Force 6 westerly wind and being pushed rapidly out towards the open sea by a strong ebb tidal stream.

Ex-lifeboatman Ernest Diamond was working nearby at the time and Bryan Jackson enlisted his help to launch the lifeboat boarding boat — an outboard powered dinghy.Within half-an-hour they had managed to rescue the man and his sailboard and return him to dry land - exhausted and cold but otherwise unharmed. He soon recovered and the two men then returned the boarding boat to the slipway.

Commodore George Cooper, RNLI chief of operations, wrote to thank both men for their 'valuable assistance' and the speed with which they reacted to the situation.CONDITIONS TOO ROUGH TO BRING DIVERS ABOARD FISHING BOAT Missing divers found It was a family affair at Lyme Regis earlier this year when a lifeboat crew member's father and brother were instrumental in saving the lives of two divers.

On the afternoon of 9 May, three skin divers returned to Lyme Regis harbour in their 5m Chinook inflatable to report to the local harbourmaster that half-an-hour previously they had lost contact with two of their diving colleagues three miles west of the harbour.

Search At 1335, the crewmen in the lifeboat station were alerted and two maroons were fired to let the divers know a search was underway, which, it was later established, they heard. Five minutes later, the Atlantic 21 class lifeboat Independent Forester Benevolence was launched to start the search for the missing divers, joining an RN helicopter from Portland, which had picked up one of the diving team to help define the exact position of the last dive.

The Lyme Regis lifeboat reached the search area at 1350 in a south westerly Force 6 and very rough sea, with a 3mto 4m swell running. Exmouth lifeboat also left harbour at 1504 to assist in the search.

After an hour's search, it was suggested that the missing divers could be further east of the current search area and, at the suggestion of crew member Paul Wason, Mr John Wason - his father - agreed to put to sea to assist in the search in his fishing boat Sea Seeker, which was the only vessel that could safely leave harbour in the deteriorating weather conditions.

Located Together with his other son Chris, and James Thomas and Chris Bagnall, Sea Seeker left harbour at 1456 to search eastwards from the harbour while the lifeboat and helicopter continued their search south and west.

Half-an-hour later, at 1521, Sea Seeker was able to report that the divers had been located three-quarters of a mile off a nearby headland called Golden Cap.

Because of the bad weather conditions, it was not possible to take them on board so a line was streamed astern for the divers to cling to until the helicopter arrived. Both survivors were winched up by helicopter which landed them at Lyme Regis harbour where, after two-and-a-half hours at sea, they were checked over by the station's HMA Dr Llewelyn before leaving.

Sea Seeker returned to harbour and the lifeboat was back on station at 1620.

For his part in the rescue service, John Wason has been sent a letter of thanks from the Director of the RNLI, who wrote, 'Undoubtedly your local knowledge and intuition saved the lives of these two divers'.Routine - but always appreciatedFalmouth's Arun class lifeboat Elizabeth Ann carried out a service on 3 June 1992 which although in fine weather and described by the station honorary secretary as 'routine' led to words of praise from the Captain of SS Canberra.

A passenger aboard the liner needed medical attention beyond that available on the well-equipped ship and so a rendezvous was arranged with the Falmouth lifeboat.

The arrangements went like clockwork - the lifeboat was alongside the liner for only two minutes and the passenger was taken ashore safely and transferred in Falmouth Docks to a waiting ambulance.

Writing to the RNLI to express his thanks Canberra's Captain, Ian Gibb, concluded '...and thank everyone for their help, which we know we can always count on'.Lengthy search but no survivors It is an unfortunate fact that some lifeboat services do not result in the rescue of survivors, a result which inevitably has an effect on the lifeboat crews but which does not affect their dedication to the task in hand. One such launch was at Mallaig, when close to midnight on 15 March 1992 the coastguard notified the Mallaig lifeboat station that the commercial fishing vessel Spray was sinking one mile northeast of Sleat Point and requested that the crew should be paged for immediate launch.

On reaching the last reported position of the vessel, no sign of her could be found, and a fleet of 25 craft left Mallaig harbour to help in the search. The station's 52ft Arun class lifeboat The Davina and Charles Matthews Hunter acted in the role of 'on-scene commander' to ensure that a wide search area was completely covered and remained at sea for some 12 hours while the search continued.

Two helicopters were also brought into the search and rescue efforts, and it was one of these which managed to spot the wreck of Spray lying in 30ft of water. Two bodies, a father and his son, were later recovered, one from the shore by the Arun's Y class inflatable and the other from the wreck by a diver using the same inflatable.

The RNLI's chief of operations, Commodore George Cooper, later wrote to the station and crew expressing his 'sincere thanks for their efforts on this sad occasion'.NINE MEN TAKEN OFF REPLICA SAILING VESSEL Longboat's steering fails 40 miles north of Cape WrathSome of the latest technology came to the aid of some of the earliest when Stromness lifeboat station's relief Arun class Newsbuoy was launched to the aid of a replica 12th century longboat on passage from Stornoway to Faroe.

The vessel, Aileach, had experienced steering failure some 40 miles north of Cape Wrath - the north-easternmost tip of the mainland-in a northwesterly Force 6 to 7 and although her crew were able to make temporary repairs the jury-rigged steering later failed and assistance was called for.

Newsbuoy launched at 0850 on 17 June and reached the casualty at 1351 after a passage of almost 70 miles.

The nine men aboard the open vessel were transferred to the lifeboat using the Y inflatable in a wind which was now Force 6 to 7 and with a very large swell running - a very long way from anywhere to be in an inflatable! After about 15 minutes Aileach was taken in tow for the long trip back to Stromness. At 1800 the tow parted, but was re-established again by crew member Douglas Adam, who jumped aboard as the lifeboat was brought alongside. Douglas had previously been the helmsman of the Y boat during the crew transfer.

It was 2055 by the time the Arun reached Stromness with the longboat and her crew having been at sea for just over 11 hours.Lifeboats 2, Sunderland nil Sunderland's station honorary secretary was enjoying the action at his local football ground on 27 April when he was alerted to lifeboat duty - for the second successive time during a Sunderland match! Having been alerted by his pager, honorary secretary Jerry Finn hurried from the ground and - for the second time running - found himself asking the owner of the house right opposite the exit gate, Mrs Rooney, for the use of her tel-ephone.

Mrs Rooney kindly agreed once again and Mr Finn was able to contact the coastguards who were requesting inshore lifeboat assistance to a police incident off Ryhope beach.

A man had been threatening the police and was cornered at the beach. They feared he might attempt a hazardous sea escape, but he was arrested and the lifeboat crew was stood down soon after their arrival.The Director of the RNLI has written to thank the crew of the Ramsgate lifeboatfor a service 'carried out very professionally' after the station's Tyne had rescued the crews of two yachts in a February gale.

It was at 1850 on 22 February 1992 that Ramsgate's Tyne class lifeboat Kenneth Thelivall left the harbour on service to the two yachts, a service which was to keep her at sea for nearly six hours in gale force winds. The yachts were reported to be a mile south-west of the Falls Light Vessel, some 15 miles just south of east from the station, and the wind was southwesterly Force 6 to 7 at Ramsgate but considerably stronger at sea in the vicinity of the yachts.

With the help of a Sea King helicopter from RAF Mans ton the two sailing yachts were finally located, seven miles to the east of the light vessel, where the 28ft Storm Song was towing the disabled 26ft Simona with two people on board. Simona had a rope around her propeller'.

The lifeboat reached the casualty at 2030, with the wind now south-west between Force 8 and Severe Gale Force 9. As she approached Simona, which was to be taken in tow, Storm Song released her towline and Kenneth Thelwall II made hers fast. The two people aboard Simona were taken aboard the lifeboat and the 22-mile tow back to Ramsgate began.

Some 15 minutes later Storm Song called to say that she was making no headway in the conditions and that the crew (there were two peopleaboard) was becoming unwell and required assistance.

The lifeboat, with Simona in tow, was crossing the very busy SW shipping separation lane at the time, but was able to turn back to Storm Song, put a tow line aboard and take the two crew off. With tow lines now made fast to both yachts the Tyne set off once again for Ramsgate while Second Coxswain Derek Pegden tended the unwell survivor - who was suffering from shock and cold. He and the other three survivors were wrapped in blankets while the long, slow tow continued.

The beam trawler Angelena which had been on passage to Ramsgate took up position as an escort back to Ramsgate, but the Tyne was able to tow both boats without any problems despite the conditions. However, when only one-and-a-half miles f rt m Ramsgate Simona began to sink, and within a few minutes she had disappeared.

The tow line was buoyed off and slipped from the lifeboat which en-aboard) was becoming unwell and required assistance.

The lifeboat, with Simona in tow, was crossing the very busy SW shipping separation lane at the time, but was able to turn back to Storm Song, put a tow line aboard and take the two crew off. With tow lines now made fast to both yachts the Tyne set off once again for Ramsgate while Second Coxswain Derek Pegden tended the unwell survivor - who was suffering from shock and cold. He and the other three survivors were wrapped in blankets while the long, slow tow continued.

The beam trawler Angelena which had been on passage to Ramsgate took up position as an escort back to Ramsgate, but the Tyne was able to tow both boats without any problems despite the conditions. However, when only one-and-a-half miles f rt m Ramsgate Simona began to sink, and within a few minutes she had disappeared.

The tow line was buoyed off and slipped from the lifeboat which en-tered Ramsgate harbour at 0025 with just Storm Song in tow. The surviving yacht was berthed in the marina and all four survivors were taken to the local yacht club for the night.

The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 0200, despite some minor damage sustained while transferring the survivors to the lifeboat.

At 1000 that day, 23 February, the lifeboat returned to the wreck of Simona in order to recover her tow line, accompanied by a local trawler which later raised the yacht and took her to Ramsgate.Yachtsman transferred in 'appalling9 conditions A service by Weymouth lifeboat on 13 April 1992 has Jed to the Director sending a letter of appreciation to Second Coxswain David Pitman, the station's Honorary Medical Adviser Dr Will Bowditch and the other crew members. The letter comments on a fine display of teamwork'.

At 0035 Portland coastguard received a Mayday call from the Dutch yacht L.T.Harry whose only occupant had been unconscious for nearly ten hours after a massive wave had hit the yacht. 12 minutes later Weymouth's 54ft Arun class Tony Vandervell was launched and a coastguard helicopter scrambled.

While heading towards the casualty the lifeboat managed to obtain a D/F bearing and red flares from the casualty resulted in a good bearing and a sighting by the helicopter.

The lifeboat reached the casualty, some 30 miles from the station, at 0230 to find weather conditions at the scene appalling, with a NW Force 6 to 7gusting 8 and a swell some8m high.

It was decided to bring the survivor aboard the lifeboat and then transfer him to the helicopter. Acting Coxswain David Pitman brought the lifeboat alongside and put the Honorary Medical Advisor, Dr Will Bowditch, and two crew members on board.

After the casualty had been examined he and the HMA were taken back aboard the lifeboat while the crew members remained on the yacht.

The survivor was lifted into the helicopter but the line became snagged so the HMA remained on the lifeboat while the helicopter flew the Dutch yachtsman to Weymouth hospital. Tony Vandervell returned to the vacant yacht and she was eventually brought into the safety of Weymouth harbour at 1030.

The yachtsman made a satisfactory recovery in hospital and later continued to his Plymouth destination..