Brothers and stations unite When Red Bay lifeboat crew were paged, there was no immediate threat to life for the couple on the yacht, Chtoe. Yet at Red Bay station brothers Tom and Paddy McLaughlin remember thinking: 'It was blowing a gale right up here... We knew we were going to something serious' Mr and Mrs Burston are experienced sailors and had lived on their sturdy yacht for nearly 20 years. They were heading for Portpatrick, Scotland when the conditions suddenly changed on 8 September 2002. The wind swung to the east and the impeller wouldn't work. When Mr Burston investigated, he could find nothing wrong with it, but by this time the conditions were rough. The couple decided to sail to shelter in Camlough harbour, but they feared that even if they got through the entrance, they wouldn't be able to stop in time. Sound judgment made them alert the Coastguard to their situation at this point. The Coastguard requested the launch of the Red Bay lifeboat at midday.

It only took Red Bay five minutes to launch their Atlantic 75. Four crew members, not the standard three, manned the lifeboat. It was thought likely that one of them would have to transfer to the casualty and Crew Member Careth Shannon's experience as a yachtsman made him perfect for the job. Tom stresses that it was a joint decision to take an extra man: 'We do things collectively as a crew, so we discussed it and knew Gareth's sailing ability.' However, there was no seat for Gareth, so it was a rough ride. He held on tight as the lifeboat made 20 knots on the five-mile passage to the yacht.

When they reached the casualty, conditions had worsened and Chloe was pitching and rolling in a 2m swell and breaking seas. Mr Burston remembers:'We were being thrown about something chronic ... getting a bit black and blue.' Chtoe was nearing Garron Point, an area with a notorious tidal rip from the Irish Sea and the Atlantic.

Tom, the helmsman, recalls: 'We realised we were always going to have to transfer someone, but when we first got to them there was no way it could be done.'While escorting the yacht, keeping a close eye on her, Tom discussed other options with the crew and decided that Larne all weather lifeboat should be placed on standby.

In the conditions, the VHP radio of the yacht was out of reach below deck, so thetwo boats could only communicate by shouting. Mrs Burston was fighting to keep a straight course at the helm. The yacht was now being battered by larger waves and the wind strength increased. Mrs Burston waved for help.

The Red Bay crew were quick to respond.

Tom made an approach to transfer Gareth, and Paddy called Belfast Coastguard to request the assistance of Lame's Trent class lifeboat. The Lame lifeboat Drjohn McSparran launched within 10 minutes with Jimmy Healy's brother Frank in command.

Meanwhile, Tom throttled the B class towards the yacht. In an extremely difficult manoeuvre, with Chloe surfing and broaching on the larger waves, Tom laid the port bow onto the yacht. Gareth quickly stepped onto the yacht and then Tom moved the lifeboat out of harm's way.

Gareth assessed the condition of the crew and took the helm on Chtoe. With Gareth's handheld VHF radio, communication was easier, but the breaking swell had increased to 3m. Gareth fought to keep a steady course towards shelter at Lame. Red Bay lifeboat stood by. Paddy commented: 'After we transferred Gareth, for the next 15 minutes the conditions were bad. There were lots of breaking seas coming at him, getting htm beam on.'Thankfully, the conditions eased as the two vessels passed Garron Point.

The Lame lifeboat was fast approaching from the south. By radio, Red Bay lifeboat requested that a crew member from the Trent be ready to transfer onto Chtoe via the Atlantic 75. Tom explains: 'We always knew there would have to be some sail work done, so we would have to transfer another crew member.' Larne lifeboat reached the casualty and the Atlantic 75 one mile south of Garron Point. Lame Crew Member Paul Johnston was successfully transferred onto the Atlantic 75 and then onto the yacht.

Under close escort of the two lifeboats, Gareth and Paul sailed southwest in improved conditions towards Glenarmmarina. Within two miles of Glenarm, they prepared Chtoe for a tow by Larne lifeboat.

Tom and Frank discussed the dangers of getting through the narrow entrance of Glenarm marina with a heavy (approximately 9-tonne) boat in tow. They decided that both lifeboats would be needed to control, enter the harbour and berth the yacht safely. The Trent class towed the yacht into the marina while the Atlantic 75 attached a short tow to Chtoe's stem, ready to act as a break and to help with steerage.

A large crowd of onlookers watched the manoeuvre as Chloe was berthed successfully over 2V; hours after the launch of Red Bay lifeboat. On shore, the couple thanked the lifeboatmen, who were relieved at the outcome of the service. Mr Burston later said of the lifeboat crew; They couldn't have been nicer or more helpful.' After a brief rest, both lifeboats set off back to their stations. Although the Red Bay crew had another rough ride, both lifeboats reached home safely.

Tom McLaughlin receives the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum for this service. Paddy McLaughlin, Jimmy Healy and Gareth Shannon receive a letter of appreciation. The actions of Larne lifeboat are also recognised by a joint letter of appreciation. Deputy Divisional Inspector for Ireland, Owen Medland, praised the teamwork of both crews and remarked that: 'A plethora of lifeboating skills were demonstrated by all on board.' Owen singled out Tom's actions, which prevented the rescue escalating into a more serious situation:'Tom McLaughlin showed great foresight and command during the service.'THE RED BAY LIFEBOAT Atlantic 75 lifeboat B-728 Dorothy Mary Funding: Bequests of Miss Dorothy Mary Raine and Mr David Stanley Raine THE CREW Helmsman Tom Mclaughlin Paddy Mclaughlin Careth Shannon Jimmy Healy RED BAY LIFEBOAT STATION Established: 1973 THE LARNE LIFEBOAT Trent class lifeboat 14-30 Drjohn McSparran Funding: Bequests of Miss Margaret McSparran, Mrs Arabella Frances Maud Cripps and Miss Susan Cochrane McCully with other gifts THE CREW Coxswain Frank Healy Willie McCauley Martin Agnew Karen Black Keith Leitch Paul Johnston Roy McMullen LARNE LIFEBOAT STATION Established: 1994 THE CASUALTY Crew of two on 12m yacht Chloe THE CONDITIONS Weather: Dry Visibility: Good Wind: Force 6, gusting 7 Sea state: Rough, 2-3 m swell.