Injured climbers rescued from foot of cliffs in heavy surfThe Helmsman of Bude's inshore lifeboat, Micky Sims, has been awarded the Thanks of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution inscribed on Vellum following the rescue of two climbers from the foot of cliffs on 21 April 1993 in a service which lasted more than 3 hours and ended in darkness.

The lifeboat's three crew handled her with skill and determination in extremely difficult circumstances, in surf and swell and among rocks and, thanks to the helmsman's courage, leadership and team work from the crew and shore helpers, the service was successful.In his official report, Capt Hugh Fogarty, then the deputy inspector of lifeboats for the south west division, wrote: 'Helmsman Sims' calculated decision to beach at Welcome Mouth rather than expose the casualties to the rigours of the return passage to Bude showed an intelligent regard for the welfare of the survivors, even though he knew it would make difficulties for himself and his crew'. For their part in the service, Crew Members James Wade and Keith West (on his first service in the lifeboat) will be presented with framed letters of appreciation signed by RNLI Chairman Michael Vernon.

It was at 1756 on 21 April 1993 that Falmouth Coastguard first informed the station that one of a group of climbers was lying injured at the foot of cliffs at Gull Rock, near Welcome Mouth. The whole party was also in danger of being cut off by the tide.

Surf Bude's 16ft D class lifeboat was launched six minutes later, with Micky Sims at the helm. The wind was SW Force 4 with a 3ft sea and 6-8ft surf.

The lifeboat cleared the surf at Bude and then headed for the scene of the incident, six miles to the north, where she began searching the cliffs while staying outside the breaking surf for safety.

It was difficult to see the cliff base at times, because of the sea conditions but, at 1837 the casualties were spotted on a ledge inside Gull Rock, on the north sideof Marsland Point. Helmsman Sims made two runs through the surf to assess the situation and work out a strategy. As the casualties were by now being washed by the largest of the swells he decided to put a crew member ashore to help.

Taking the lifeboat in through the surf he held her head-to-sea while James Wade swam the 15-20ft to the ledge, which he reached at 1845.

Fall Of the five survivors three were fit and well, one was suffering from shock and hypothermia and the other from lacerations, a suspected broken foot and back pains after a 30ft fall.

The fit members were able to climb the cliffs, but the two injured survivors would have to be evacuated by sea. Sims decided to land the lifeboat, and waited for a surge to bring her to the ledge and lift her on to it, stern first. Once aground on the ledge the casualties were taken aboard and the lifeboat then re-launched. She was under way again by 1851.

Helmsman Sims decided that the 6- mile passage through surf back to Bude would be hard on the casualties. Althoughthere was a heavier breaking surf on the exposed beach at nearby Welcome Mouth a beach landing there would shorten the time at sea, and there was also access for an ambulance. So, having manoeuvred inside the surf line, Sims waited for a few minutes for the right conditions and then beached the lifeboat at 1810.

Ambulance The survivors were landed while two crew members held the lifeboat in position - a very difficult task in the dumping surf. They held the lifeboat for 20 minutes until the ambulance arrived for the casualties.

Re-launching the lifeboat was extremely hazardous, and several attempts were made. During one attempt all three men and gear were washed out of the lifeboat, and it was then decided to wait until shore crew arrived to help.

Finally at 2030, in fading light, with Shore Crew Members Ball, Goodyear and Andrews in the water stripped to their underwear, Sims chose the exact moment to take the lifeboat through the surf. He negotiated four 8-10ft breaking seas, and then turned south for the run back to station.

It was dark on arrival off Bude Haven and the helmsman asked that parachute flares be fired to illuminate the harbour, which he cleared successfully and beached safely at around 2100, more than three hours after setting out..