Atlantic clear of the water twice in race to man in waterA service by New Brighton's Atlantic 21 on 5 March 1995 to a man in the water has led to the a ward of the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum to Helmsman Michael Jones. The crew members during the service, Howard Jones, Neil Jones and Michael Haxby, all received framed letters of thanks from the Institution's Chairman.Helmsman Michael Jones was in the boathouse on the afternoon of Sunday 5 March 1995 when he was informed by a member of the public that there was a man in the water off Portland slip, just to the north west of the station.

It was 1400 and, as this coincided exactly with the time of the station's weekly pager test, he immediately fired two maroons to assemble the crew.

Just five minutes later the station's Atlantic 21 launched into heavy surf and a westerly Force 7 to 8 with a heavy swell and sea. Visibility was poor and the ebb stream had already started to run.

Severe The lifeboat passed through the Rock channel on the way to the casualty where the waves were 15-20ft high. Watchers on the shore saw the boat clear of the water twice, and the motion was so severe that it was impossible to use the radio as the crew needed both hands to stay in contact with the boat. Although rough, the passage was quite short and the lifeboat arrived on scene at 1410.

County Rescue - a rescue service largely funded by local councils - had been diverted from the recovery of a dead horse nearby, and the 6.5m rigid inflatable with two crew members aboard arrived two minutes before the lifeboat.

They were unable to recover the man as with only two crew members aboard the helmsman had to leave the controls to help, and onlookers say that she almost capsized twice.

The seas were being reflected off the sea wall and were very confused, but the lifeboat closed with the casualty at the second attempt and after contact had been made with County Rescue control of the casualty passed to the lifeboat.

Crew member Howard Jones grabbed the man in the water and passed him to crew member Neil Jones. At that moment the boat peaked on a wave, but Neil refused to let go and, even though he was dragged overboard by his weight, hemanaged to pass the casualty's arm to crew member Mike Haxby.

Neil Jones was able quickly to pull himself back aboard and it took the combined efforts of the three crew to bring the 6ft 4in, 18 stone man aboard.

The man's clothing had gathered around his throat and had to be cut away to allow resuscitation efforts by all three crew members.

An ambulance had been called and helmsman Michael Jones began heading back through the Rock channel where conditions were so bad that even though the speed was kept down to 6 or 7 knots to help resuscitation attempts the casualty and crew were constantly swamped.

Conditions at the launch site were still bad and a net recovery had to be abandoned after two unsuccessful attempts.

Michael Jones then decided to try a beach landing at Egremont, two miles further up the river, and all shore unitswere diverted to this site.

County Rescue was already at Egremont, attempting to recover the body of the horse, but was waved clear to allow the lifeboat to beach.

With great skill helmsman Jones beached the Atlantic in a space only oneand- a-half-times her own length, even though she was hit by a sea which swung her round through 90°. It then took all four crew to carry the casualty ashore.

Despite continuous resuscitation attempts the man had not shown any response and was later pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Drenched The boat was relaunched by the beach crew, who were all drenched when several waves broke over them.

Once back at her station the tide had ebbed sufficiently to allow a net recovery, at the second attempt.

The two crew members of County Rescue received framed letters of appreciation signed by the Chairman and the Director sent letters of appreciation to the five shore helpers..