Brighton ls_Atl.antic_s_aves two from pier underwater obstructions and a Force 7 onshore wind A service with chilling echoes of the Silver medal service carried out by the same station nearly four years ago Brighton's Atlantic 75 Thelma Glossop rescued two people from under Brighton pier last September.

The service earned all three crew members letters of thanks, helmsman Stanley Todd from the Director and crew members Binny McColl and Pheonix George from the Chief of Operations.

A Force 7 was blowing on to the beach from the south east at Brighton on 30 September last year when the Coastguard alerted the station to the plight of the two men at 1440.

Sea conditions were very rough, with waves up to 13ft high as the Atlantic left the shelter of her marina base. The pier is only just over a mile from the station and the Atlantic reached the scene in some three minutes.

There she found one man in a lifebelt clinging to the windward side of the pier and another, who had gone down to help, trapped about 12ft above him.

Bringing the Atlantic as close as they dared in the heavy seas the crew threw the first man a quoit, which he was able to put his arm through allowing him to be pulled clear.

The lifeboat backed away as the casualty was brought aboard and made ready for the next approach.

Helmsman Stanley Todd eased the Atlantic back under the pier again, well aware of the numerous underwater obstructions. With her bow actually underneath the structure the crew UfcboSi encouraged the second man to jump intothe lifeboat.

The bow was rising and falling by more than 10ft and the crew signalled to the man to jump when it was at its highest.

He hesitated, and then jumped as the bow fell away - dropping some 8ft onto the deck before falling forward on to the anchor reel. The gash inflicted on his forehead later needed stitches.

However both men were now safely aboard and the Atlantic was able to retreat from the dangerous conditions close to the pier and make her way back upwind to the lifeboat station - at reduced speed because of the wind and sea conditions.

Although she was only at sea for some 20 minutes the rescue was very difficult one, only made possible by the skill and training of the crew..