In storm force winds and darkness, the yacht Annarchy had engine problems and was steering an erratic course. The Moelfre crew had to manoeuvre the lifeboat close enough to the yacht for Rod Pace to jump aboard and regain control of the AnnarchyThe yacht Annarchy, with a crew of two, was motor sailing from Liverpool to Caernarfon when she developed engine problems. Soon after midnight on 17 June 2002, the Moelfre Tyne class lifeboat Robert and Violet launched, with Anthony Barclay in command.

On the way to the casualty, the lifeboat crew felt the storm building behind them and knew that it was going to be a challenging service. Despite poor visability from heavy rain and darkness, the crew located the Annarchy quickly by radio. They spotted the lights on the yacht 11 miles northeast of Moelfre and arrived on the scene half an hour after the lifeboat launched.

On the radio, the yachtsman told the lifeboatmen that his companion was lying down below and could not help. He asked whether a crew member could corne aboard to secure a tow.

Second Coxswain Rod Pace was acutely aware of the risks involved in this dangerous transfer. In similarly rough conditions Rod had broken his leg in two places while trying to board the catamaran Alicatln July 1995. But Coxswain Anthony Barclay knew it would not be fair to ask someone less experienced to jump across and get the yacht under control. Rod was the man for the job, with sailing knowledge, experience and maturity.

Preparing for the leap, Rod shouted back to Anthony: 'Don't break my leg!' The job of getting close enough to the yacht for Rod to jump was complicated as the yacht was steering an erratic course with the mainsail swinging out of control. In waves of 4m and storrn force 10 winds. Anthony attempted the manoeuvre five times and had to take evasive action several times to avoid a major collision. The waves in the Irish Sea can be notoriously short and steep, and Anthony described the yacht as being 'all over the place', with darkness and the weather making it all 'doubly confusing' for the crew. At one point Dave Jones, who was below deck, saw the yacht high above, looking like it was going to land on the bow, but the lifeboat pulled away just in time.

Anthony was thankful for the lifeboat's D-DEC engine control system that made the Tyne instantly responsive, giving it power and manoeuvrability. He had to use all his experience to judge the distance to the yacht and without the benefit of being able to see the bow of the lifeboat from the Tyne helm.

Teamwork was vital.On the sixth attempt, the two boats came close Bnough for Rod to try his jump across. Taking his chance, Rod leapt across to the yacht. Anthony saw Rod jump off the lifeboat and immediately took the lifeboat full astern to prevent a crash. He lost sight of Rod and was unaware whether he had reached the Annarchy safely for what he said was 'probably a few seconds, but it seemed like hours'. Once clear, Anthony looked back and to his great relief he saw Rod had made it. He later said that he had been involved in lots of rescues in the same kind of weather, but that Rod's jump was 'the bravest thing I've seen anywhere'.

At first, as the yacht pitched and rolled, Rod clung on to the cabin roof. The crew later described the yacht as a wild horse, resisting its rider. Rod held on tight and then managed to move below deck to check the man's partner did not require assistance.

He then fought to get the yacht under control, helping the yachtsman. Rod tightened the sheets in to secure the loose sails and pulled in the jib, which helped the yachtsman steer a straighter course into the waves at about 4-5 knots. The tow line was passed to Rod at the starboard bow. He was on his hands and knees gathering it in when the yacht suddenly sheered off to port. With lightening reflexes Rod managed to secure the tow line on the cleats before the line caught him.

Meanwhile, back on the lifeboat the crew were hit by a huge wave. Brothers Vince and Dave were thrown against the side of the boat, but found their feet quickly.

Rod made the tow line fast, and pulled the rest of the sails down which made the towing easier. The yacht was finally under control. Rod took over the steering of the yacht and the lifeboat towed Annarchy safely back to Moelfre. The couple on the yacht were hugely relieved and the yachtsman said his wife knew what Christmas cards she was going to buy this year. Divisional Inspector (west division) Andy Gift said that Rod: 'displayed tremendous courage in transferring to the yacht and subsequently displayed good seamanship in bringing the yacht under control before he could receive the tow line'.

Rod Pace received the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum and Anthony Barclay received a letter of thanks from the RNLI's chairman. Rod stressed that lifeboatmen don't do it for the award, but was: 'very pleased with Moelfre station being recognised and that we'd done a good job'.THE LIFEBOAT Tyne class lifeboat ON-1116 Roben and Violet Funding Anonymous gift THE CREW Co< swain Anthony Barclay Crew members Dave Jones Dave Jones IJnr] Vincent Jones Rod Pace Gary Roberts David Williams MOELFRE LIFEBOAT STATION Established. 1830 Previous RNLI medals 4 Gold. 7 Silver and 26 Bronze THE CASUALTY Crew of two on the Annarchy. e 12m sail yschi with auxiliary engine THE CONDITIONS Weather: Squally Visibility: Poor, at night Wind SW itorm force 10 Sea state: Rough.