Tyn_e tows coaster and crew to safety in worsening weather When the 210ft coaster Ina lost power off the Devon coast on 4 November 1997 she soon found herself aground by the stern on the Mewstone, just off Bolt Head. With a south-easterly Force 7 blowing, and worse to come, Salcombe's relief Tyne Mariners Friend launched just seven minutes after being alerted by the Coastguard at 1628 and was soon on her way to help the ship and her seven-man crew.It took around 20 minutes for the lifeboat to reach Ina, finding her aground and with her starboard anchor out - its cable hampering the most obvious way of approaching her.

Coxswain Frank Smith decided to take Manners Friend in astern towards the casualty's port bow.

and at the first attempt a heaving line was passed successfully.

The onshore near gale was kicking up a rough sea up to 10ft high on the lee shore and once Ina's crew had been persuaded to go forward and take the tow line Frank was able to let out about 100 fathoms (600ft) of line and begin to take up the weight of the tow.

It was clear that the casualty could be towed clear by the relatively diminutive lifeboat despite the wind and sea conditions, so the master was asked to weigh his anchor as the lifeboat took up the strain.

The coaster came off the rock relatively easily, but in the strong winds and lively sea both lifeboat and casualty slipped astern into Stonehole Bay before the Tyne was able to get way on both vessels.

However it did not take long to gather momentum and soon both vessels, with the lifeboat working hard against the Force 7 wind and 10ft seas, weremoving forward and out into deeper water some one-and-a-half miles clear of the shore.

By this time Ina 'screw had been able to restart her engine and, once satisfied that the vessel was under her own power and in no immediate danger, the lifeboat released the tow at 1753, returning to her station by 1815.

Ina was able to make the safety of a sheltered anchorage in Torbay under her own power.

Although the service was made to look simple by the lifeboat and her crew the honorary secretary's comments in the Return of Service point out the potential dangers: This was a very prof essional service, conducted quickly and efficiently. Ina would definitely have broken up at Bolt Head in worsening weather on a lee shore if the lifeboat had not successfully towed her off the rock. One hour later the wind had reached Severe Gale Force 9...'.