Every second counts as three saved from submerged dory The crew of the Whitstable lifeboat had just 17 minutes to save three lives. Weather conditions were so bad, they exceeded the operating limits of the lifeboat, but the crew knew that the man and two boys at sea stood little chance of survival on their own. Showing great skill and courage, David Parry, Seth Gleeson and Andrew Flanagan defied gale force winds and three-metre waves to bring them to safety.When helmsman David Parry woke up on the morning of 28 May 2000, his first thought was the weather. 'I was slightly concerned,' he recalled 'as it was blowing a gale outside, yet the forecast had only been for a moderate breeze'. His worries proved to be right when, as he went downstairs to check the latest forecast, his pager went off.

Amateur angler Neil Brinsley and two 15-yearold boys had gone out for some early morning fishing when the unexpected weather had caught them off guard. Their 5m dory (a small flatbottomed coastal fishing boat) Angelina was taking in water and sinking five miles east of Whitstable.

Fortunately, Whitstable had received a relief Atlantic 75 lifeboat OEM Stone /just 11 days earlier, replacing their existing Atlantic 21 lifeboat.

It would have been much more difficult for the Atlantic 21, which does not have a ballast capability, to cope with the extreme weather but, although conditions exceeded the Atlantic 75's operating limits, it was decided to launch.

'A split-second decision had to be made. I don't think I could have taken that risk and launched without discussing it with my colleagues. We were absolutely at the limit of the boat's capacity.

Helmsman David Parry Just 12 minutes after launching, the crew spotted the partially submerged dory with two people desperately bailing with fish boxes as 3m waves broke over the boat. As the lifeboat closed in, they could see the third crewmember huddled in the cuddy (a covered space, smaller than a cabin). 'I didn't think we had much hope of spotting people in the water in those conditions,' remembered David, 'so I was very relieved when we found the boat still more or less afloat, complete with crew.' David decided the only possible approach was to carry on past the dory then turn back and approach its starboard side. He would then hold position next to the vessel and recover the survivors. However, as the lifeboat got to within 10m of the sinking dory, the casualty swung around uncontrollably in the raging seas and David had to pull away.By now the dory was on the point of sinking and as David started his second approach, it sank beneath the waves and the terrified occupants struggled to get out. The two on the stern were able to swim away, but the young boy in the cuddy was trapped.

'All we could see of him was a hand reaching out from under the water, trying to get out' Helmsman David Parry For a few desperate moments, the crew feared the worst. David sped towards the spot where the boat went down but thankfully, as he approached, the boy struggled to the surface and grabbed hold of the now submerged cuddy- David now manoeuvred the lifeboat's port shoulder against the cuddy, swinging the lifeboat's stern over the submerged stern of the dory where the other two men were swimming. All three casualties we able to grab the lifeboat's lifelines just as the dory finally slid away beneath them.

Their terrifying experience was not yet over, however, as they were barely able to keep hold of the lifelines in the rough sea. David kept the lifeboat on a steady course while Seth and Andrew helped them into the boat. 'I think the casualties were too shocked to respond to anything,' said David. 'The tad who had been trapped in the cuddy was becoming hysterical.

It'll probably be a long time before he gets in a boat again.' It was vital that the casualties reached shore as soon as possible, so David headed for nearby Herne Bay Harbour. However, the sea was too rough to land at the harbour, so David was forced to head for a nearby beach which was more sheltered. The casualties were helped ashore and taken to hospital, where they were treated for cold and shock.

'Although this shout was fairly short in duration, it was without doubt the most difficult and demanding that I have done, simply due to the sea conditions.

'Those who we rescue are often criticised for being ill-prepared or foolhardy, yet these people checked the weather forecast, launched on a flat clam sea, and still ended up losing their boat, and very nearly their lives.' Helmsman David ParryThe Lifeboat Atlantic 75 B-713 OEM Stone I Aisisting Lifeboat Trent class ON-1211 Geoige and Ivy Swanson The Crew gfgnza Medal Helmsman David Parry for his 'outstanding courage.

seamanship and skill'.

Medal Sarvigp Certificate Crew Members Seth Gleeson Andrew Flanagan.