Saved on the edge of operating conditions Two Vellums awarded to Torbay crewTwo Torbay lifeboatmen, Helmsman Nigel Crang and crew member Simon James have been awarded the the RNLI's Thanks on Vellum for saving the lives of three young men who were cut off by the tide at Roundham Head, Paignton. A third lifeboat crew member, Nick O'Brien, received a framed letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the RNLI.Torbay lifeboat station was alerted that three teenagers had been cut off from the mainland after taking shelter in a cave while trying to escape from the fast incoming tide. The inshore lifeboat crew managed to reach the three young men despite the precarious tides and limited access available. Through skilful manoeuvring they were able to enter the cave and recover the three boys minutes before they would have been swamped by the fast-rising tide.

At 1914 on 19 April 1999 Brixham Coastguard informed Torbay lifeboat station that three teenage boys were cut off by the tide in a cave at Roundham Head, three and a half miles northwest of the lifeboat station. The 16ft D class lifeboat Spirit of the RFC launched at 1921, just five minutes after the crew was paged and, with Nigel Crang at the helm, reached the scene within five minutes. Weather conditions were south-easterly winds Force 5-6, with moderate to rough seas and a 3m swell. It was just half an hour before sunset, and one and a half hours to high water springs.

After spotting the white shirt of one of the casualties, Nigel Crang approached mmm^^^m the small cove Nautical Miles slowly to assess the situation. The cove was 7m wide with a large flat rock at its centre.

Behind the rock was a 2m patch of water, then a narrow patch of sand in front of an Torbay Route taken by Torbay ILB to Roundham Head Torbay lifeboat station overhanging cliff, making up the shallow cave.

Crewman Simon James suggested he should land to assess the casualties. Risking being dashed against the rocks, he slid over the side of the boat during a lull in the swell and quickly swam round the rock and into the cave. He found the casualties uninjured.

Knowledge At this time Nigel Crang and crewman Nick O'Brien attempted to veer down into the gap between the rock and the cliff edge. They informed the Coastguard that if they were unsuccessful they may be unable to rescue the casualties and would need helicopter support.

Using local knowledge, they placed their anchor on the edge of the reef, then attempted to veer down to the casualties, passing through a gap barely wider than their lifeboat between the rock and the base of the cliff. However, a combination of backwash, sidewash and a lack of water between swells, and swells breaking through the D class, caused Crang to abort his attempt to pick up the casualties.

At 1938, the Coastguard auxiliary on scene reported that conditions were 'bad' for the D class and the Coastguard helicopter was scrambled from Portland. The D class crew was told the helicopter was due on scene within 20 minutes, although it was uncertain a helicopter winchman would be able to effect a rescue past the overhang of the cliff face.

Nigel Crang realised that at the speed the tide was rising, the casualties would be washed out of the cave before the helicopter arrived, with nowhere to go. Torbay's Arun class lifeboat launched at 1946 to provide cover for the D class.

Opportunity Judging that there was a flat period in the swell every three to four waves, Nigel Crang placed the D class on top of the rock. Simon James thrust one of the casualties on board and the lifeboat backed off as the next wave refloated it. Waiting for the next flat period,Crang again placed the D class on the rock, intending to pick up the next casualty - but seized the opportunity to grab both casualties and Simon James into the boat. With six people on the small inflatable, Nigel Crang managed to turn into the sea just as a particularly large swell broke through the boat. This wave would certainly have capsized the boat if it had not been head to sea.

The casualties were landed at Paignton and with the wind now increased to a Force 8, the D class had to shelter in the lee of the Arun to return to the lifeboat station.

Deputy Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats for the South said This rescue saved the lives of three young men, it was conducted on the very edge of D class operating conditions. Calm thinking, excellent application of local knowledge and fine boat handling skills all contributed to this successful service. They showed teamwork, persistence, seamanship and courage. The D class lifeboat proved itself again to be most versatile close inshore against rocks.'.