Long tow in difficult conditions for Skegness and Humber lifeboats Skegness and Humber lifeboats were both involved in a long service when conditions became too severe for a classic, 1920s-built motor yacht on a delivery passage from Great Yarmouth to Amble on 19 December 1996.

With winds freshening to Force 9 her skipper was having difficulty keeping control and, also worried for the safety of his 17-year-old son, put out a 'Pan Pan' call. The call was received by Humber Coastguard, who asked Skegness1 Mersey Lincolnshire Poacher to launch.

She put to sea at 0344 and arrived at the yacht about an hour later, to find her wallowing heavily in a beam sea up to 15ft high.

Both her crew were affected by sea sickness so, despite the risks in the high wind and heavy sea, it was necessary to put two lifeboatmen aboard her. This was achieved after a couple of attempts and the motor yacht was then able to make about 6 knots down-sea towards Grimsby.

However, after about an hour the casualty's steering failed and she had to be taken in tow - an operation which took several attempts as the lifeboat crew aboard the yacht were working on a wave-swept and very slippery foredeck.

Just after 0700 Lincolnshire Poacherhanded over the tow to Number's Arun Kenneth Thelwa/l'-again a tricky task as the crew members and the drogue used to steady the yacht had to be recovered.

Humber put a crew member aboard and continued the tow towards the Humber River, making slow progress in the gale force easterly wind and heavy seas.

By 1015 she was able to find some shelter under Spurn Head where Dave Steenvoorden, the crew member aboard, and the yacht's owner were able to make temporary repairs to the casualty's steering, and by 1030 she was under way again, eventually leaving the yacht in the safety of Grimsby's Fish Dock Marina.

Writing to the RNLI later the owner, Terry Whitfield, said: 'I knew we were in danger, and I was determined that we were not going to die that morning...

The crew from the Skegness lifeboat were a very welcome sight and helpful and sympathetic to my son. The crew man from the Humber lifeboat was with us for several hours and his company was great, a very nice person. He would have loved a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea, but my son had been seasick over our provisions! I would like to repay him someday. I was extremely impressed with the RNLI and would offer my support whenever possible. Thank you.'.