Ten hour service to disabled fishing vessel in gale force winds The coxswains of both the Penlee and Sennen Cove lifeboats, Neil Brockman and Terry George, have been awarded the Institution's Bronze medal following a joint service to a disabled fishing vessel on 6 December 1994. The service lasted almost ten hours in appalling conditions. In his report the divisional inspector of lifeboats (south), Capt Hugh Fogarty, said: 'Coxswains Brockman and George carried out this long service in appalling weather conditions and darkness. Gusts were recorded at 82mph. Both crews suffered from sea-sickness, but exhibited coolness and skill in getting their tows connected and co-operated fully with each other throughout the service.' It was at 1522 that Falmouth Coastguard advised the station that the fishing vessel Julian Paul was disabled with a fouled propeller 4 miles south west of the Longships light. The wind was Force 7, and conditions were deteriorating.

At 1530 Sennen Cove's Mersey class The Four Boys launched, with Coxswain Terry George in command, and started a very uncomfortable passage to the casualty, with the lifeboat pitching and rolling heavily. Terry George asked Falmouth Coastguard to inform Penlee lifeboat station of the situation and discussed the limited options with the skipper of the fishing vessel.

On arrival Julian Paul was found to be a fully laden wood-hulled crabber - lying across the weather and rolling heavily.

With good seamanship, boat handling and teamwork the heaving line was passed at the first attempt and a tow connected. Then, by carefully applying power, Terry George took the strain and brought the casualty round head-to-sea.

The tow was then lengthened to some 400m by using two lines and a buffer.

The tow commenced at 1605, heading due south, but the lifeboat, pitching heavily and shipping seas and spray overall, could make little headway against the tide. Although the tide would ease and turn in an hour, a forecast of worsening weather and the prospect of even rougher wind-over-tide conditions, led Terry George to ask that Penlee lifeboat launch to assist. At 1630 Penlee's Arun class Mabel Alice slipped her moorings and madebest speed for Lands End into a Force 7 to 8 gale.

Coxswain George established that there were sufficient deck fittings on the casualty to enable her to be towed by both lifeboats, and Coxswains Brockman and and George discussed their strategy by radio.

In the very poor visibility the Penlee lifeboat found the others by using her VHF-DF and Sennen Cove's searchlight shone into the sky. With expert manoeuvring and careful teamwork the Penlee lifeboat crew passed another line to the fishing vessel and Neil Brockman took up the strain. With both lifeboats towing together progress improved immediately, and at 1800 they were making 3 knots.

At 1817 Sennen Cove's tow parted, and it took some time to recover the very long line. However, it became clear that Penlee was towing well alone, so the Sennen Cove lifeboat acted as escort.

Steady progress was made but conditions were most unpleasant. On board the Sennen Cove lifeboat the crew were all suffering from sea-sickness, because of the need to keep the wheelhouse door shut in case of capsize.

Meanwhile Mabel Alice was continually being swept by spray and driving rain, but at 2030 a huge wave engulfed her and the lifeboatmen feared that the casualty would be swamped. She survived, but the skipper was instructed to get his crew into lifejackets and into the wheelhouse.

When Tater-Du was reached the sea was estimated at 40ft and, although the motion had eased, considerable skill had to be used to control the lifeboats at such slow speeds in such big swells.

It was not until 0014 that Coxswain George was able to go ahead into Newlyn Harbour, to check conditions at the entrance.

At 0037 Penlee lifeboat shortened the tow, while Sennen Cove stood by in case anything went wrong. Coxswain Brockman made for the south side of the entrance at best speed, but by the time Julian Paul was through two swells had pushed her up to the north side. However, she was brought inside safely and berthed alongside at 0055.