Local knowledge vital in rescue of two missing boardsailors Helmsman Martin Icke of Portsmouth's Atlantic inshore lifeboat has been awarded the Thanks of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution inscribed on Vellum after the lifeboat rescued two windsurfers following two searches on 24 October 1995. It was due to Helmsman Icke's knowledge of local tides and currents that both men were found.Crew members John Brooks and Rikki Chamberlain will be awarded Vellum Service Certificates and crew member Paul Venton will receive a letter of appreciation from the RNLI's Chief of Operations.

The lifeboat crew showed great dedication in re-launching to search for the second man, and in his official report, Leslie Vipond, divisional inspector of lifeboats for the south said, 'Helmsman Martin Icke showed a very high standard of seamanship and leadership when Portsmouth's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat launched in extreme conditions for this class of lifeboat to the aid of two sailboarders in great difficulty. His local knowledge and an acute appreciation of local tides were instrumental in the landing of one survivor and the saving of the life of the second. His crew had absolute faith in his abilities and backed him up totally. Their first aid and care of the survivors has been praised by many.These two incidents could be taken as two separate services, and as such, they were both good, workmanlike services, but, having completed one demanding service and feeling tired and in need of a hot bath, to then set out and do it all over again to the same high standard, is not something that just anybody could do.' The service began at 1435 on Tuesday 24 October 1995 when Solent Coastguard reported that a sailboarder had lost his rig near the entrance to Langstone Harbour and was being swept seawards.

Portsmouth's Atlantic, City ofPortsmouth, launched into an ebb tide of eight knots with a Force 8 winds and helmsman Icke conducted a careful search in 10ft to 15ft waves, moving towards the harbour en-trance.

The Coastguard helicopter then reported a sailboarder close inshore of West Winner Bank and knowing the tide and current pattern Martin Icke was able to take the lifeboat straight to the man. At 1545 he was brought on board the lifeboat, placed in a thermal suit and taken to Hayling Island beach. From there an auxiliary coastguard took him to hospital.

The lifeboat then continued to search in case there was another man in the water until the Coastguard called off the search at 1604. The lifeboat could not be recovered as the ebb stream was running against the gale and causing a 4ft sea.

The crew waited for the conditions to change to recover the lifeboat, but at about 1725, just as they were doing so, Solent Coastguard requested an immediate launch to look for a boardsailor last seen near the entrance of Langstone Harbour an hour ago.

The wind was now Force 8-9 and although the sea was slight it was very dark with no moon. Helmsman Icke took the lifeboat towards the harbour entrance again, but when nothing was found used his knowledge of the tides to decide that the casualty would have been swept into Langstone Harbour.

The man was found, lashed to a wreck near an isolated danger buoy, and waist deep in water. He had used his sail to tie himself in position in case he was swept away and was extremely cold and in shock. The lifeboat crew took him on board and treated him for hypothermia until they reached the lifeboat station at 1803 to meet an ambulance. The lifeboat was recovered, refuelled and ready for service at 1830..