Hazardous as two casualties are brought to safety The rescue of two persons trapped at the end of a breakwater by heavy breaking seas has led to David Porritt, helmsman of Staithes and Runswick Atlantic 21 class lifeboat being awarded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum. Crew members Carl Nefdt and Stephen Iredale were presented with Vellum Service Certificates and crew member Martin Hopkinson with a framed letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman, for their part in the rescue on 3 November 1995.In his official report Guy Flatten, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for the North said: 'Although the service lasted less than 20 minutes, it was carried out in extremely hazardous conditions. Helmsman Porritt demonstrated excellent seamanship, leadership and determination throughout. Crew member Hopkinson showed courage and determination in reaching the casualties, reassuring them and leading them to safety, even after being knocked from his feet by seas breaking over the top of the breakwater . . . As a result of this service two lives were saved.' At 0030 on Friday 3 November 1995, the Staithes and Runswick lifeboat was asked to launch to assist two people who were trapped by heavy breaking seas on the end of the western breakwater, and were in danger of being swept away. The crew assembled at 0040 and the Atlantic 21 lifeboat was launched by tractor.

Conditions inside the harbour were difficult, with north-westerly Force 6 to 7 winds resulting in 1.5m to 2m seas breaking onto the slipway - it was 30 minutes after high water and the tractor driver had to take great care as the seas lifted the lifeboat carriage from one side of the slip to the other.

As soon as the lifeboat was in deep enough water, Helmsman Porritt took the lifeboat to the end of the western breakwater and harbour entrance. As they approached, two people could be seen sheltering at the base of a redundant lighting structure at the end of the breakwater.

Seas were breaking over at regular intervals and David Porritt shouted to them to move down the breakwater where they could be more easily evacuated. However, they were extremely frightened and refused to move.

As conditions were deteriorating,Helmsman Porritt decided to land a crew member to assist the casualties. Porritt kept the lifeboat head to sea whilst he talked to the casualties and this brought the lifeboat so close to the harbour entrance that she was exposed to the 3-4 metre swell and breaking seas.

With no room to turn the lifeboat, Porritt took her clear of the harbour and ran back in when safe to do so. Once inside again he turned and came alongside. The lifeboat was rising and falling, and picking his moment Hopkinson jumped ashore.

Hopkinson made his way to the casualties and at one point was knocked to his feet by sea washing over the breakwater.

When he got to the casualties, he found them very frightened and agitated; and realised that he would have to calm and reassure them before the transfer.

Porritt meanwhile, again took the lifeboat clear of the breakwater to avoid damage amid the 3m to 4m swell and re-turned, keeping her back towards the breakwater and waited for the opportunity to go alongside for the transfer.

Hopkinson guided the casualties towards the lifeboat but instructed them not to board until the lifeboat rose on the peak of a wave. One casualty panicked and, struggling free from the crew member, jumped as the lifeboat was in a trough, landing heavily but was saved from going overboard by Carl Nefdt. The second casualty also could not wait for the right moment and jumped shortly after the first, but fortunately the lifeboat was rising and he landed in the bow where crew member Iredale grabbed and held on to him - Hopkinson waited for a peak and stepped on to the lifeboat.

Porritt took the lifeboat clear and managed to turn inside the harbour. With 2m seas breaking onto the slip, Porritt decided to take the lifeboat up Staithes Beck where it was calmer and took her alongside a concrete groyne just upstream of the lifeboat station.

Shorehelpers assisted with the disembarking of the casualties, and the lifeboat was returned and made ready for service by 0116..