Multiple casualties for Atlantic 21 in winds up to Force 10 An arduous service by the West Mersea Atlantic 21 lifeboat, carried out in very rough conditions with the crew using their initiative and local knowledge to assist a large number of casualties, has led helmsman John Frost and crew members Matthew and Javis Wenlock receiving framed letters of thanks from the Institution's chairman, Michael Vernon.At 1155 on Bank Holiday Sunday, 30 August 1992 crew members John Frost, Matthew Haward and Javis Wenlock were near the lifeboat station listening to VHP radio communication between Thames Coastguard and the Bradwell sector officer. This indicated that a number of small boats could be overcome by weather conditions near Osea Island, in the estuary of the River Blackwater.

They telephoned the honorary secretary who authorised the launch of the station's Atlantic 21 Himley Hall to go to Osea Island, investigate and give assistance if required.

Difficult The wind was SW Force 8, gusting to Force 10 which was creating very difficult conditions as the wind was against the River Blackwater's strong tide. The lifeboat was launched with helmsman John Frost in command accompanied by crew members Matthew Haward and Javis Wenlock.

Best speed was made from West Mersea into the River Blackwater, where conditions were found to be very difficult with a very short steep sea, blinding spray and visibility further reduced by dust blowing off fields to the side of the river.

The six miles took approximately 15 minutes, and by this time the Bradwell sector officer had asked that they go to Osea Pier on the south side of the island where a 32ft motor boat was reported to be in difficulty with an elderly man aboard. His son was ashore with their dinghy and it was considered too dangerous for him to venture out to the boat to collect his father.

Helmsman Frost took the lifeboat to the jetty and picked up the son, and then put crew member Wenlock aboard the motor boat, to secure her and transfer the man to the lifeboat. The casualty vessel was rolling very heavily in the rough conditions and the Atlantic 21 suffereddamage to her navigation light. The two people were then taken to the Marconi Sailing Club, nearby on the opposite side of the river.

The lifeboat was then asked by the Coastguard to check numerous other small craft anchored in the area.

At 1309 the yacht Soloist with five people aboard was taken to the safety of a mooring on the windward side of the river, and her crew also transferred to safety ashore at Marconi SC.

Treatment At 1347 they approached the 35ft yacht Ruskina which was anchored near Osea Pier and had radioed a request for assistance - as all four people aboard were suffering from seasickness and one needed medical treatment. Crew member Haward boarded the yacht and raised her anchor and then helped the skipper to manoeuvre her to moorings off Stone Point, some two miles to the west. During the passage Haward examined the injured female and advised the Coastguard that an ambulance might be needed.

With assistance from the Atlantic 21, the yacht was put on a mooring, but before they could transfer the crew the lifeboat received another call - to a boardsailor a mile west of their position.

The injured person volunteered to stay aboard the yacht and the lifeboat went to the boardsailor, advising him to make his way ashore as he was not in need of assistance.

While with the boardsailor the lifeboat was asked to attend another yacht west of Osea pier with two elderly people aboard.The yacht had fouled her keel on her anchor warp and ere w members Wenlock and Haward boarded her to help. With Wenlock slacking out the warp Haward used the engine to manoeuvre her and clear the fouled warp. This yacht was then taken to a mooring off Marconi, secured and the two people taken ashore by the lifeboat.

The lifeboat then returned to Ruskina to transfer the four crew, but during the passage the casualty lost consciousness and was immediately transferred to the ambulance which had remained at Marconi Pier.

Ashore A further sweep of the moorings between Osea Pier and Stone Point discovered five people and their dog aboard a yacht who asked to be taken ashore, and they were duly landed at Marconi Pier at 1430.

Having carried out these evacuations in very difficult conditions the lifeboat crew left Osea to return to West Mersea, but on the way they heard that a motor cruiser had been reported in difficulties in Mersea Quarters, not far from their location. The lifeboat found the motor cruiser very quickly, the skipper having lost control of the vessel in the adverse conditions. She was helped to a mooring at Stone where the four people aboard were taken ashore by the lifeboat.

The lifeboat then returned to West Mersea, helping another small boat to her mooring near West Mersea lifeboat station before taking the crew ashore to the lifeboat station.

The lifeboat was rehoused at 1554, her crew exhausted after a four-hour service in severe weather..