Early warning saves three The eagle eyes and quick thinking of RNLI tractor driver Philip Eaglen helped to ensure that a father and his two sons were rescued before it was too late.

At 3.30pm on 2 September 2000, Philip was at the lifeboat station when he noticed a small yacht in difficulty. It see.med to be trying to return to harbour although there was insufficient water over the bar.

Philip alerted coxswain/mechanic Allen Frary, who contacted Richard Cracknell, the honorary secretary, and it was decided to launch the station's ILB to escort the yacht home once the water level had risen sufficiently. 'The Candy had already grounded inside the surf line west of harbour,' explained Allen, 'and with north-westerly winds increasing and a flood tide I knew conditions would deteriorate... He was going to find it difficult to enter the harbour.' The yacht was powered by a small outboard motor that lacked the power to cope with the conditions, leaving the vessel close to being overwhelmed.

Second coxswain Bob Smith, who was acting helmsman, recalled 'When we reached thecasualty, Mr Kirkham was in the cockpit steering and there were two worried little faces peering out of the cabin window. It was a sobering thought knowing they were relying on us.' The weather was too bad for them to attempt tow and Bob requested the launch of the station's ALB.

By the time the ALB arrived on scene, it was apparent that the children had been overcome by fear and it was decided to transfer them onto the ALB, using the ILB.

Bob skillfully went alongside the yacht and the crew quickly recovered the children. He then transferred crew members Gary Wright and Alfie Smith onto the casualty to help secure a tow.With the tow secure, the vessels started to make their way back. The appalling conditions meant they rolled and pitched violently, making conditions on board very unpleasant indeed.

Man overboard As the boats entered the relative shelter of the harbour, a totally unexpected and unusually large wave swept through the yacht, laying it flat and sweeping Mr Kirkham overboard. 'The sea came from nowhere,' said Allen. 'It just shows you should never take anything for granted.' The ALB crew quickly located him with their searchlights and the ILB was able to recover him in textbook manner. The ILB then took him directly to the boathouse, shaken but none the worse for his sudden and unexpected dip. The ALB completed the tow and delivered the two boys to their father, where they were treated for shock and hypothermia. 'They had been taken into the crew room for a hot drink and to get warm,' Allen commented with a grin. 'After the ALB had been rehoused I went aboard and got two Mars bars for the children, who said they were going to save them.' Bob Smith added 'After this service, which had such a positive outcome, I was reminded why we all do it. I was pleased to received the Award, as Wells has a small community in which the lifeboat plays a large part.'\ ! • ! I Mersey class lifeboat ON-' 161 Doris M Minn of Ampthill Built 1990 Cost £+55.000 Funding From the bequest ol Miss Doris May Mann of Ampthill D class lifeboat D-512 Jane Ann II Built 1996 Cost En.500 Funding Gift of Mrs Jan Branford of Sudbury. Suffolk The Crew Thanks of the Institution on Vallum Coxswain/mechanic Alltn Frary 'o' his 'courage, skill, determination and initiative'.

Joined crew 1976 Second Coxswain 1989 Cow wain/Mechanic 1997 Occupation Full-time RNLI coxswain/mechanic Second Coxswain/D class helmsman Bob Smith for his 'courage, skill and determination while in command of the station D class' Joined crew 1986 Second coxswain. 1997 Occupation Deputy harbourmaster Operations Director's Letter of Thanks Tractor mechanic Philip Eaglen *oi his 'vigilance and subsequent actions which resulted in early notification of the incident' Vallum Service Certificates Assistant Mechanic Michael Frary ALB Crew Members Alfred Smith Nicholas King Jason Walker Mark White Alan Platten Kevin Parr ILB Crew Members Gary Wright Martin Emerson Wells LHoboal Station Established 1869 Weils Lifeboat Disaster 1880 The lifeboat capsized on 29 October with the loss of 11 crew members Previous Medals Silver 1979 Bronze 1963, 1982 Thanks on Vellum 1942.1955, 1964. 1971, 1973 ( I . , i ,. ,i n .

5m sloop Candy Crew Alan Kirkham and sons Tom (91 and Silly 17).