Five saved as yacht drifts on to shoal in gale force winds A service in severe conditions to a disabled yacht with five people aboard has earned Robert Wright, the coxswain of Pwllheli lifeboat, the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum. The yacht was being driven into extremely shallow water and could have broken up on a dangerous shoal had the lifeboat not been on hand.In his report George Rawlinson the deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats, west division, remarked that Coxswain Wright's careful boathandling during the first part of the tow was important to the success of the rescue.

Emergency mechanic Clive Moore will receive a framed letter of thanks from the RNLI's Chairman for his part in boarding the yacht and the remainder of the crew will receive Vellum Service certificates.

It was at 1712 on 28 March 1994 that Holyhead Coastguard requested a launch to Pollyann, a yacht in difficulties some 13 miles south of Pwllheli.

The station's Mersey class lifeboat Lilly and Vincent Anthony launched on service at 1723 into a SW Force 6 to 7, with poor visibility and drizzle. It was just after low water on the biggest tide of the year and the strong SW wind resulted in a rough, short and steep sea in the very shallow northern part of Cardigan Bay.Course was set for the Causeway Buoy, some 12 miles to the south of Pwllheli, and the lifeboat made good speed in the direction of the casualty while trying to establish radio contact with her.

Contact was eventually established and as a result of a VHP DF bearing the lifeboat altered course slightly to port, directly towards her. About ten minutes later a new bearing and the yacht's description of her position indicated that she was to the south of the notorious Sarn Badrig, or St Patricks Causeway.

Danger Radar contact at four miles showed the casualty about a mile south of the South Prong of the Causeway - an area of shallows extending ten miles offshore and known for its violent breaking seas.

The casualty was in danger of being driven onto the Causeway and the lifeboat needed to pass over the West Prong, an outlying corner of the shoal, to reach her before she was driven into dangerously shallow water. Lilly and Vincent Anthony shipped some heavy seas crossing the shallows of the West Prong before reaching the disabled Pollyann at 1835.

Here the SW Force 6-7 was gusting Gale Force 8, with a very rough, short breaking sea. A moderate SW swell, poor visibility and drizzle compounded the difficulties.

The best way to effect a rescue was to tow the yacht clear of the area, but although two of the yacht's crew were in her cockpit they could not catch and makefast the tow line.

Emergency mechanic Clive Moore volunteered to go aboard and, after four attempts, he was transferred onto the violently rolling yacht. A tow was then passed successfully at the first attempt and the coxswain brought the yacht headto- sea while the casualty drogue was passed and streamed by Moore.

Having made sure the yacht's crew were safe and secure a course was set to the NW in order to clear the shallows of the West Prong before making for Pwllheli Harbour. The yacht had lost her rudder and was very difficult to tow despite the steadying effect of the drogue so, as the casualty had a roller furling headsail, Clive Moore set it partially in an attempt to steady the motion of the disabled yacht.

Breaking The coxswain had to nurse the lifeboat and yacht through the breaking seas, which were so large that at times only the top of the yacht's mast was visible to the lifeboat crew. The coxswain continually altered course and speed to ease the casualty through the waves, with the lifeboat taking the worst of the breaking seas.

Coxswain Wright had to watch the yacht continuously, so he put assistant mechanic Alwyn Roberts on the wheel with a course to steer and instructions to square up to the worst of the breaking seas. The coxswain then controlled the engines and watched the casualty from the upper steering position - by the light of the searchlight as darkness fell.

After rounding the West Prong the seas came round to the port quarter when on a course for Pwllheli, and the motion on both vessels eased considerably so speed could be increased from around four knots to seven knots.

The crew of the yacht were suffering from severe seasickness, but the harbour entrance was made at 2205 and the yacht was berthed alongside at 2217 where an ambulance was waiting.

By 2315the lifeboat was rehoused, refuelled and ready for service again..