Atlantic rescues two boys cut off by the tide Framed Letters of Appreciation signed by the Institution's Chairman have been sent to Helmsman Michael Picknett and crew members Michael Hoyle, Barry Knaggs and Gordon Young following a service by Redcar's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable.Helmsman Michael Picknett was listening to his VHP radio at 1535 on Sunday 16 April 1995 when he heard a conversation between Tyne Tees Coastguard and the local Coastguard Sector Officer about two boys who were in a potentially dangerous situation at the foot of the cliffs at Saltburn. Knowing that it was two hours before Spring high water he telephoned the honorary secretary, who contacted the Coastguard agreeing to launch the station's lifeboat.

At 1542 the lifeboat launched with Michael Picknett in command and Michael Hoyle, Barry Knaggs and Gordon Young as crew and headed at full power for the cliffs at Saltburn, some six miles away. As she approached theCoastguard Sector Officer on the cliff top showed the lifeboat where the two casualties were and Helmsman Picknett made a run past, clear of the surf line.

He saw the two boys standing on rocks at the foot of 500ft cliffs, just clear of the surf breaking on the rocks. There was still some one-and-a-half-hours until high water and, although the boys would probably still be clear of the water, they werealready cut off and could not walk to safety. They were dressed only in shorts and T-shirts and would have to wait some hours before they could get to safety. The onshore wind was also forecast to increase to Force 6.

So, after discussion with the Sector Officer, Helmsman Picknett decided to evacuate the casualties. By now the wind was NNW Force 4, with a substantial 2m to 3m Northerly swell rolling in onto the beach. Helmsman Picknett manoeuvred the lifeboat up-tide of the casualties and clear of the breaking seas, anchored and then veered down until they were about 60m from the shore - clear of some isolated rocks further inshore.

Crew member Gordon Young swam ashore with a line, two lifejackets and a waterproof VHP radio and secured the line around a rock. The lifeboat was now secured fore and aft but because Helmsman Picknett was worried that the engines might hit the rocks as the boat surged in the large swell the engines were stopped and lifted clear of the water. That done, Crew member Knaggs also went ashore to help, and the two boys were soon putinto lifejackets and - as they had arrived by mountain bike - they also put their cycle helmets on for extra protection.

The constant movement in the swell was causing the lifeboat to surge on the anchor warp and Helmsman Picknett dropped the port engine to help take the strain. However a very large sea struck the lifeboat, lifting her almost vertical, and as she fell back into the trough the port engine struck some submerged rocks.

The lifeboat was resecured and the engine lifted to prevent further damage.

Vertical When the casualties were ready for the transfer the lifeboat was brought nearer and resecured about 30m from the shore.

While waiting for a 'smooth' to make the transfer three 3m seas passed under the lifeboat, lifting her almost vertical again, and as she fell into the troughs her starboard quarter struck the bottom. However, once these had passed the first survivor was brought out to the boat.

Holding the boys firmly and reassuring them all the way, Knaggs and Young made their way out along the line through the surf to the boat. Knaggs took the youngest casualty out first and then returned to help with the second boy.

With everyone safely aboard the port engine was started, the anchor line and shore line cut and the lifeboat taken ahead ahead until she was clear of the surf. The second engine was lowered and started and at 1625 she headed back to station.

The lifeboat arrived off the beach at Redcar at 1640 but as the Atlantic could not be recovered (the tractor and carriage had been flooded) the boys were transferred to the station's D class and taken ashore.

The Atlantic was taken to Hartlepool and as the port engine was found to be damaged it was changed before she was recovered at Redcar the following day by a replacement carriage and tractor..