CREW TRAPPED AND INJURED BY PIER SUPPORT Atlantic damaged while saving girls trapped in heavy surf under pier For the first time in the history of the RNLI the three-man crew of an Atlantic class lifeboat have been awarded a Silver and two Bronze Medals for a single service. This remarkable achievement by Brighton lifeboat is also the first time in more than 20 years - and only the second in the whole 30-year history of inshore lifeboats - that all three crew members have received Medals for Gallantry.The Silver Medal has been awarded to the helmsman, Richard Pearce, and Bronze Medals to both crew members, Martin Ebdell and Edward Purches, following the rescue of two girls trapped under Brighton Palace Pier on the night of 7/8 September 1995.

In an amazing service the lifeboat was working underneath Brighton pier in darkness and surf up to 4m high to rescue the two girls who had been swept into the sea and were clinging to the pier's supports.

To reach them helmsman Pearce had to manoeuvre in a very tight space and in dangerous surf while hampered by a deflated bow section which had been punctured on an underwater spike. The lifeboat managed to reach the terrified girls although crew member Ebdell's leg was trapped and his finger broken when the lifeboat was pinned under a metal support. At one stage the lifeboat appeared to have been lost, and other lifeboatmen prepared to enter the sea from the shore in order to help.

Command In his official report Martyn Smith, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for the east says, 'Helmsman Pearce took firm command of the lifeboat and exhibited clear logical thought. He remained calm despite the conditions and the damage sustained by the lifeboat. He exhibited determination, courage and quite remarkable feats of seamanship. Both Ebdell and Purches also exhibited courage, determination and selflessness. Communication between the three crew was difficult because of the conditions and the fact that the crew acted as one withlittle or no verbal communication is indicative of a high level of teamwork and personal initiative. To be able to work undeterred in a badly damaged lifeboat, underneath a pier in appalling conditions without regard to personal safety is nothing short of outstanding'.

'With the damaged bow now pinned down by the support a huge wave swept right over them' The service had begun at 2356 on 7 September 1995 when coastguard auxiliary N. Gilbert called the station on VHP from near Brighton Palace Pier. Two girls had been swept into the sea, been caught by the undertow and were now trapped under the pier, some 20 yards offshore.

The Atlantic 21 inshore lifeboat Graham Hillier and Tony Cater was fully manned as the result of an earlier service and waslaunched immediately. The wind was onshore at about Force 4 to 5, but earlier in the day a SW gale had been blowing and even when the wind eased and veered north during the service the seas and surf remained high. Helmsman Pearce was surprised by their viciousness so close inshore, and the moonless night made reading them very difficult. The capsize lights and a hand held search light were used to help, but the passage to the pier was both difficult and dangerous with the conditions close to the limit for the lifeboat.

Only the approximate position of the casualties was known, so the lifeboat went through under the pier for a closer look, using a gap marked by a buoy. Once committed to the manoeuvre she had to travel at the speed of the waves, staying between two crests to avoid being caught by the following breaker. She was only some twenty yards off the beach and any misjudgement could have disastrous in the heavy, dumping surf.

Spike As the lifeboat passed through the pier the casualties were spotted, and helmsman Pearce made a very skilful turn to approach them, keeping close to the seaward supports to give enough searoom to avoid being thrown back onto the next set. Suddenly, while manoeuvring in this confined space under the pier and being swept by heavy surf, the port sponson burst as an unseen metal spike was driven into it. The spike also caught the lifeline, and the forward securing point was ripped from the boat with a sound like a pistol shot. The bow and part of the sponson immediately deflated, leaving the lifeboat open to the seas. However, Helmsman Pearce used both throttles to slew the lifeboat head to sea, and held her there against the crossmembers to which the casualties were clinging.

Both crew members made their way forward and tried to encourage the girlsto jump. The nearer girl was grabbed by Purches and brought aboard just as a wave threw the lifeboat astern, where she fell into a trough and then surged forward again, trapping Ebdell's legs under a crossmember. With the damaged bow now pinned down by the support a huge wave swept right over them. Helmsman Pearce looked down as the stern was lifted high above the trapped bow and lost sight of the damaged bow, the crew and the casualties below him. From the shore the propellers could be seen clear of the water, and the deafening noise of the racing engines could be heard clearly.

By now other lifeboatmen had arrived on the beach wearing dry suits and lifejackets and were preparing to rope themselves together and go into the surf to try to help -but the lifeboat reappeared and could be seen to be operational although damaged.

Ebdell's legs came free as the lifeboat dropped into the next trough and, as another wave passed over them, he managed to grab the arm of the second casualty.

Neither crew members could see the other or the casualty, but they hung on and pulled her aboard in the following trough.

Relieved Helmsman Pearce had lost sight of everyone and was afraid that they had gone under the pier support. If so, they would be on the opposite side of it and he would not be able to pull the lifeboat out astern.

However, as the bow rose for the second or third time he was relieved to see that the two crew members were safe and that both casualties were on board.

Purches and Ebdellboth shouted to the helmsman to pull clear, which he was able to do without any further damage to the lifeboat, although as they cleared the pier another wave crashed through the boat washing both crew aft. However, they wedged themselves into secure positions between the console and the sponsons where they were able to deal with the two casualties, who were distressed and suffering from hypothermia.

One of them was lapsing into unconsciousness . Crew member Ebdell was also in considerable pain from a broken finger, severe bruising and a twisted knee.

Once clear of the pier, Pearce manoeuvred into a relatively quiet area of water, where it became clear that the damage to the lifeboat was considerable, so the righting bag at the stern was inflated as a precaution while taking stock of the situation.

The Atlantic was too badly damaged to continue the service unaided, she could not be beached because of the surf and the third option of going alongside the pier steps was also out of the question because of the rise and fall in the rough sea.

Traumatised In the circumstances it was decided to wait for the arrival of the Coastguard helicopter, with a view to lifting the girls and transferring the lifeboat crew to the Newha ven all-weather lifeboat which was also on the way.

However, when the helicopter arrived it was clear that it was unwise to try and lift the casualties because of their traumatised state and the condition of the lifeboat.

So, when Newhaven's Arun class lifeboat Keith Anderson, arrived on scene at 0047 the casualties and the Brighton lifeboatmen were taken aboard and the Atlantic taken in tow.

The casualties were landed at Brighton Marina at approximately 0120 and taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital together with crew member Ebdell.

The damaged lifeboat was rehoused until a relief lifeboat could be placed on service - which was in place by 1200 the next day.

Minehead lifeboat men a 'tremendous help' during floods The crew of Minehead's lifeboats and the station's shore helpers all came in for praise when some of the worst storms in living memory battered the north Somerset town for four days in late January.

Although the town's lifeboats were not used on this occasion (RNLI inshore lifeboats have been used inland!) the lifeboatmen were able to help residents put up sandbags, barricade windows and clear drains which became blocked with seaweed as the wind stayed onshore, from the east through to north-east, for successive high waters.

The local 'West Somerset Free Press' remarked that 'the town's lifeboat crews turned out to help in the battle even though they were not officially summoned' and also quoted the spokesman for the residents of one of the hardest hit area, Quay Street, as saying: 'the lifeboatmen gave tremendous help' during the emergency, adding that 'they have an affinity with the people who live here'.

The lifeboat house, further along Quay Street, did not suffer any damage.HEAVY SWELL IN NARROW ROCK GULLY Difficult conditions as two casualties are taken from the shore The rescue of two people cut off by the tide in difficult and dangerous conditions has led to Sean Baxter, the helmsman of Staithes and Runswick's Atlantic 21 lifeboat, being awarded the RNLI's Thanks inscribed on Vellum. Crew members Iain Baxter, Jason Ebison, Martin Hopkinson, David Porritt, Lee Porritt, David Springett and Michael Verrill will receive Vellum service certificates for their parts in the service on 10 September 1995.In his official report Guy Flatten, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for the north said: "This was an extremely difficult service carried out with determination and courage by all involved... The decision for crew to swim ashore with a line, is obviously a risky one... However, the location of the casualties necessitated this risk and as a result two lives were undoubtedly saved/ At about 1540 on Sunday 10 September one of the lifeboat station's helmsmen noticed two people cut off by the rising tide at the base of Penny Nab, some 500m ESE of Runswick's lifeboat station.

By 1551 the lifeboat had launched, with helmsman Sean Baxter in command a crew made up of the other helmsman, Iain Baxter, and crew members Michael Verrill, David Porritt and Lee Porritt - the two extra crew were aboard because it was likely that someone would need to be put ashore.

Narrow The two people were on a rock ledge at the base of a 50m cliff and near to where anarrow, 15m wide, gully ran in between two rock 'scars' or ledges, Penny Steel and Scar Shootings, which extended out to sea from the base of the cliffs.

Helmsman Baxter's plan was to anchor the lifeboat in the narrow gully between the scars and veer down as close to the casualties as possible.

The Force 4 wind was more or less along the shore, but a 2m swell was coming in from the sea and could be seen breaking onto the cliff face. The tide had risen enough to cover Scar Shootings - downwind of the gully - where the combination of swell, a 4 knot tidal stream and shallow water were creating a very confused sea.

Some of Penny Steel - to windward of the gully - was still uncovered and was providing a slight lee. Running in asclose to Penny Steel as possible the anchor was let go, holding on the fourth attempt.

David Porritt went forward to tend the anchor line as Sean Baxter veered the lifeboat down towards the casualties until she was about 10m away, numerous rocks preventing any further progress.

Crew members Iain Baxter and Michael Verrill swam ashore with a line, and showed the two casualties that they were inded cut off, and could not reach safety.

Rougher The transfer was likely to be wet and rough, so the lifeboat returned to collect extra dry suits and helmets. While she was back at the station helmsman Baxter decided to take a further crew member, Jason Ebison, back to assist.

The lifeboat returned to the scene and anchored again, after a further four attempts.

The sea was much rougher now, and beginning to run over the top of Penny Steel which had previously given some shelter. Jason Ebison swam ashore with a line, taking the dry suits and helmets with him, but a large breaking sea hit the Atlantic, and the line was snatched from his hand. David and Lee Porritt retrieved the line before it could foul the propellers and Lee swam ashore with a replacement, despite being swept into the breaking seas by the tidal stream.

The shore party had dressed the casualties in dry suits, lifejackets and helmets when another large breaking sea approached the lifeboat. When the bow failed to rise to it helmsman Baxter realised that the anchor warp had snagged on the sea bed and was holding the bow down. He used the engine's full power to breakthrough the sea, parting the anchor warp at the same time, and the lifeboat was thrown almost vertical as the wave passed underneath her.

The lifeboat could now only be held in position using the engines, and, realising what was happening, the shore party began the evacuation immediately. Crewman Verrill led the casualties with Iain Baxter behind them as they were hauled out to the lifeboat.

Verrill and the casualties reached the lifeboat without incident, but as Iain Baxter approached helmsman Baxter had to apply full power to break through yet another large wave, shouting to Iain to hold on. The boat was completely engulfed as the wave broke and Iain Baxter swallowed a great deal of water.

Ashore, Lee Porritt was washed back on to the rocks by a wave and Ebison could see that the lifeboat was being hampered by the line from her stern. He let it go to give her more room to manoeuvre, and she immediately returned to the station to land the casualties.

Scrambled Returning to the cliff with two further crew, Martin Hopkinson and David Springett, onboard the lifeboat could not be anchored so helmsman Baxter put her as close to Penny Steel as he dared while the shore party scrambled as close as possible. Hopkinson swam another line ashore and the three men were hauled back towards the lifeboat.

However the lifeboat and men were all swept down wind and tide towards the rough shallows of Scar Shootings so, with the three lifeboatmen still attached to the line, helmsman Baxter manoeuvred the lifeboat back into more sheltered waters where the men were finally retrieved.

The lifeboat finally returned to her station at 1645.Fundraiser turns dogged lifesaver! Although it's normally the fundraisers who raise the money to provide the equipment for the lifeboat crews to use, the fundraisers can sometimes take matters into their own hands! It was just as well for 'Boz' the Labrador that the recently retired chairman of the Milford on Sea branch, Michael Whatmore, decided to 'change sides'.

'Boz' was out for a Christmas Day walk when he spotted a buoy about 20 yards out to sea at Keyhaven. Having been praised for retrieving similar 'footballs' in the past 'Boz' doggedly attempted to impress his owner by returning the buoy to the shore - complete with the mooring. Unfortunately his attempts left him exhausted and without enough strength to get back on his own.

His owners had to watch helplessly for nearly 20 minutes as he held on to the handle of the tiny buoy with his teeth, and tried ineffectually to climb onto it. They were on the verge of attempting the dangerous task of swimming out themselves when Michael Whatmore passedbyonhiswaybackto the marina and with the the aid of another small boat was able to tow poor 'Boz' back to his worried owners.The great orange case search...Red Bay's C class lifeboat was involved in an unusual incident last Autumn when she was involved in the hunt for four cases of oranges...

However, there was more than a little method to the madness, because the cases had been specially jetisoned from HMSArun off nearby Rathlin Island together with group of divers who were destined to drift around for some five hours! The object of the exercise was to discover where the oranges would go ashore and to monitor the drift of the long-suffering divers so that the tidal streams in the area could be monitored with more accuracy.

The scheme, which involved the Coastguard, Royal Engineer divers, HMS Arun, the Army Air Corps and the RAF in addition to the lifeboat was prompted by an incident last year when a German diver spent almost eight hours in the water, and a similar incident in which divers drifted for four hours before being picked up by a passing yacht.

The complicated tidal and wind influences off Rathlin and in the approaches to the North Channel made it very difficult to calculate from previously available material how far people would drift - and in fact the divers were swept no less than 14 miles from their predicted position in only four hours.

• During the exercise Red Bay lifeboat and Ballycastle coastguards were called to a real incident to recover a man from the bottom of a cliff.Stornoway's Arun SirMaxAitken Is pictured from aboard the stranded merchant vessel Golf Star as the lifeboat stands by in worsening weather on 21 October 1995.

The Antiguan registered Golf Star was on passage from Arklow to Germany when she struck rocks off Scalpay, some 28 miles south of the station.

Her crew of eight and another five salvage workers were taken off by helicopter when the weather worsened and the lifeboat was unable to get alongside the casualty. She could not be refloated before gales damaged her further and she was considered beyond economical repair.

Photo Bristow HelicoptersSWELL SWEEPS CASUALTY ON ROCKS Tyne saves crew of fjve from stranded fishing vesselFraserburgh's Tyne class lifeboat City of Edinburgh was involved in a service on 11 September 1995 which although fairly short in duration was commended by the divisional inspector of lifeboats for Scotland, John Caldwell, for its seamanship and teamwork and for the coxswain's boat-handling and decisiveness in a potentially dangerous situation.It was at 0246 on the morning of Monday 11 September that the lifeboat's second coxswain Victor Sutherland, who was on duty at the Harbour Control office, heard the skipper of the 60ft Banff-registered fishing vessel Sovereign call to say that his vessel was aground 1.2 miles to the west of the headland which protects the port.

The second coxswain informed the coastguard and the lifeboat station and minutes later the pagers alerted the crew.

The lifeboat was launched from her slipway in the harbour at 0259 with coxswain Albert Sutherland in command and immediately headed off to the northwest, to clear the headland and make for the casualty's position.

However another fishing vessel heard a VHP radio conversation between the lifeboat and the coastguard and called tosay that she was off a small headland and group of rocks called Cairnbulg Briggs - two miles to the east of the harbour - and could see the casualty aground there! The lifeboat immediately altered course and made for the beacon which marks the outer end of the rocks and was soon able to establish radio contact with the casualty.

Although the onshore wind was only Force 3 a large swell up to 3m was pounding the vessel. Sovereign's crew had tried to launch a liferaft, but it had been swept away and one of the crew had lostpart of two fingers while trying to secure it. The skipper was very concerned for the safety of his crew and was convinced that the lifeboat would not be able to enter the shallow, broken water to take them off. He had asked for a helicopter evacuation - but no helicopter was available as a result of an earlier incident.

At 0309 coxswain Sutherland brought the lifeboat in towards the casualty intending an approach from the east, only to find that Sovereign had been washed completely over the rocks and there was no option but to approach from the west.

Although there was 21ft of water at the outer beacon the water shoaled rapidly as the lifeboat slipped into a narrow gap inside an offlying rock called the Mungo and at one stage the echo sounder showed only 2ft beneath the keel. Coxswain Sutherland shouted a warning and the crew braced themselves as the lifeboat grounded briefly and then lifted off again in the 1.5m swell.

The casualty could now be seen clearly - beam on the swell and rolling and yawing violently. Her crew was on the shelterdeck forward of the wheelhouse where they were being swamped by water and spray from the breaking swell. The lifeboat was driven close in towards the casualty's starboard shoulder and as she lifted on a swell the five men leap t aboard.

Taking the lifeboat hard astern coxswain Sutherland was able to get clear the casualty, avoid the Mungo rock and regain the safety of deep water again.

At 0321 the lifeboat returned to harbour where the casualties were landed, although she could not be rehoused because of the swell running at the base of the slipway.

When she was finally rehoused at 1845 that day she was examined for damage following the grounding, although none was found.Just because a lifeboat has not reached her new home and been officially put on station does not stop her being a lifeboat, as these two photographs show.

The Severn class allocated to Harwich on the east coast was taking part in her 40-hour engine trials (part of every lifeboat's working up trials) in the Channel when she became involved in the two services shown here-well away from herfinaPpatch'.

She was in the vicinity when Plymouth's lifeboat was called to the aid of the the fishing vessel Senex Fidelis (top) and also escorted the 24ft yacht Thirst Quencher (below) in gale force winds and foul weather conditions off Rame Head.

Lifeboats on passage report their position to local coastguards as they make their way along the coast and are often called on when an incident occurs as they are already at sea and can respond very quickly..