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..