C class takes off two survivors before fishing boat breaks up Helmsman Ian McDowell of the St Bees lifeboat has been awarded the Institution's Bronze Medal for the leadership, skill and courage he displayed during a service to a fishing vessel aground in surf.

The Thanks of the Institution on Vellum has been awarded to the others aboard during the service: Helmsman Alistair Graham, and crew members Marcus Clarkson and Paul McDowell.At 0718 on Saturday 31 July 1993 St Bees lifeboat station was told by Liverpool Coastguard that the fishing vessel Couer de Lion was aground in Fleswick Bay off St Bees Head with two people aboard. The C class lifeboat was launched at 0725 with Alistair Graham at the helm and Helmsman Ian McDowell and the two crew members aboard. A Westerly Force 5-6 was causing a 6ft dumping surf which extended some 200 yards offshore, and the lifeboat was hit by several large waves which threw her into the air before she was clear.

At 0733 the casualty was sighted on the edge of the surf in Fleswick Bay, and the inflatable moved in to about a quarter-ofa- mile to seaward of her. Cower de Lion was aground on an outcrop of rocks 35-40 yards offshore, listing heavily to starboard and almost beam-on to the waves. Heavy seas were breaking on to her decks and two men were hanging on in the bow.

The seas were some 8ft high and approaching from seaward would be extremely difficult, so Graham made his approach between the shore and the casualty's stern. Clarkson and Paul McDowell were about to put a line aboard when a large wave hit the casualty, passing over her and pushing the lifeboat away.

Damaged Out of the lee of the casualty the lifeboat was beam-on to the seas, but Helmsman Graham instinctively turned the lifeboat to starboard to come head-tosea and try to power out of danger. Waves were filling the lifeboat and it became apparent that the engines must have been damaged on rocks, as there was insufficient power to get further to seaward.

Unable to power clear of danger McDowell decided to beach the lifeboat.

As soon as the water became shallow enough the engines were stopped - the movement was too violent to lift them - and all four crew jumped out and at-tempted to hold her head-to-sea and manhandle her ashore.

Ian McDowell tried to raise the engines while the other crew members tried to hold her steady in the breaking waves and during the struggle Graham fell over a rock and the boat fell on top of him, trapping his leg. He managed to struggle free and although pushed under a second time was pulled clear.

Beached Paul McDowell was washed under the boat at one point and Ian McDowell found himself trapped between the engines and a large rock. They managed to free themselves and the engines were eventually lifted and the boat beached on the shingle 40 yards south of the casualty.

Marcus Clarkson and Paul McDowell started to change the propellers while Ian McDowell tied a length of line around his waist and walked into the surf. With Alistair Graham holding the shore end McDowell managed to get close enough to shout to the survivors that the lifeboat would be coming and to keep holding on.

With new propellers fitted the lifeboat was dragged through the surf, fuel oil and debris to a position opposite the casualty, where Ian McDowell and MarcusClarkson climbed back aboard. Paul McDowell and Graham held the boat steady as the engines were lowered and started but it was felt safer to leave them behind rather than risk trying to board in the dumping surf. Waiting for the right moment the lifeboat powered away from the beach towards the casualty, striking numerous rocks as she fought to get clear.

Approaching the casualty McDowell nudged the lifeboat's bow onto the fishing boat's port side and Clarkson made a line fast. After much encouragement one of the survivors jumped, but another large wave struck and the lifeboat was again pushed clear, parting the line.

Clarkson reacted quickly. Grabbing the helm he drove the bow back onto the casualty and the second survivor threw himself onto the lifeboat's canopy before McDowell got underway, passing around the stern of the fishing boat and directly into the sea. The time was now 0815, and shortly after the lifeboat left the fishing boat started to break up.

Impossible The inflatable had again suffered damage to her propellers and was underpowered, with one engine over-revving.

The engine was stopped, and as it was now impossible to return for the other two crew members slow progress was made back to station, where the lifeboat was recovered at 0830.

The survivors were suffering from mild hypothermia and were close to exhaustion.

They were given warm drinks and clothing while waiting for an ambulance.

A helicopter retrieved the two crew members from Flenswick Bay and when Alistair Graham arrived back at St Bees he could hardly walk from the pain in his legs. He had suffered extensive and painful bruising.

Both of the lifeboat's propellers had been damaged, one having lost all its blades, the skegs had broken off and the gear boxes were damaged. Temporary repairs were carried out and the lifeboat was on restricted service again at 1000.

Summing up his report Guy Flatten, the divisional inspector for the North Division said: 'That the fishing boat broke up shortly after the shocked, cold and exhausted survivors had been taken off demonstrates how perilous the operation was. These men would certainly have perished had not the lifeboat managed to reach them just in time.'.