Eight saved from yacht dismasted and close to rocks in onshore galeThe coxswain of Blyth lifeboat, Keith Barnard, has been awarded the RNLI's Thanks of the Institution on Vellum for saving the lives of eight people from a dismasted yacht in gale force winds off Curry Point near Blyth. Divisional Inspector for the RNLI's Northern Division, Tom Nutman, said The teamwork and speed in both thought and action of the lifeboat crew were instrumental in saving eight lives.'The 38ft yacht Eau de Vie had been taking part in a race from the Royal Northumberland YC on Sunday 26 September when her problems began. By chance an auxiliary coastguard was watching through binoculars from an MRSC some three miles to the south and saw Eau de Vie capsize and the crew clinging to the upturned hull. She was off Curry Point, near the disused St Mary's lighthouse, just over three miles SSE of the lifeboat station.

At 1312 Ely th's honorary secretary was contacted by the Coastguard and the 44ft Waveney class The William and Jane launched at 1321 in a NNW Force 8.

Dismasted Setting a course towards St Mary's light the yacht could be seen ahead, very close to offlying rocks and being driven towards them by the wind and sea. She had now righted herself but was dismasted and lying with heavy seas on her port quarter with the remains of her mast and rigging overboard to port. She was shipping water and rolling heavily in the very steep broken seas as she was driven quickly downwind and tide into a maze of rocks near the old lighthouse.

Luckily she passed between two of the outermost outcrops but to leeward was a rocky shelf where a very heavy breaking sea about 12ft high was running.

Time was of the essence and although two liferafts had been brought onto the yacht's deck ready to abandon her the lifeboat crew realised her crew would have little change in an inflatable among the rocks.

There was no time to run in and takeoff the survivors from the seaward side as the rigging lying in the water and the heavy confused seas would have meant a 'touch and go' operation, picking up one or two survivors at a time. There was no longer any sea room to even contemplate an approach from the lee side.

The coxswain decided the only option was to put a towline aboard the yacht quickly, and attempt to pull her clear.

The lifeboat was run in from the north, down wind and sea, and then turnedhead to sea, clear of the casualty's stern. A heaving line was thrown and caught by a survivor on the stern of the yacht, but he dropped it while taking it forward.

The lifeboat was cleared ahead and then made a second run in. Another attempt was made with the heaving line, but the yacht was hit by a large breaking sea. As she slid down the face of it, almost capsizing, the line was let go.

Coxswain Barnard realised time was running out, and decided to go in close enough to pass the tow line direct. He kept the bow of the lifeboat into the wind and seas and watched ahead while Second Coxswain/Mechanic John Scott shouted directions from the aft deck. The survivor on the bow of the casualty took the tow line on a near approach and this time managed to make it fast to the yacht.

Danger Easing out the tow line the lifeboat took up the strain. As the bow of the casualty was held up into the wind, her stern blew down wind, bringing her head to sea and the lifeboat was able to ease her out to sea and out of immediate danger. It was now around 1400.

The tow back to Blyth was slow, into the gale force winds and heavy seas, but by keeping close to the shore around Blyth Bay for maximum shelter the casualty was brought safely alongside at 1440.

In his report the RNLI's divisional inspector, North, Tom Nutman, said that the speed and brevity of the service in no way detracted from the great seamanship and awareness displayed by Coxswain Barnard.

Second coxswain/mechanic John Scott, assistant mechanic Ronald Hatcher and crew members Peter Morton and John Orrick have been awarded Vellum Service Certificates for their part in the service..