Injured yachtsman saved from certain deathD A mayday call from an injured sailor who had lost control of a yacht was relayed to Falmouth Coastguard on 29 October 2003.

The Royal Navy (RN) search and rescue helicopter from Culdrose and the Severn class lifeboat TheWhiteheads from St Mary's, in the Isles of Scilly, were tasked to help. The helicopter had an estimated time of arrival of 4pm. With 40 miles to cover in gale force conditions, the lifeboat crew knew there was a chance that the helicopter would save the yachtsman before they got there.

During the passage the lifeboat encountered constant force 8 northwesterly winds and seas of 8-10m on the starboard side of lifeboat. Coxswain Andy Howells steered around larger waves, making a best speed of 20 knots Winched to yacht Meanwhile the helicopter did indeed reach the casualty first and lowered a winchman, Leading Air Crewman Graham Hatch, to the deck of the 10.4m yacht. Graham found the man conscious, but in considerable pain, in the saloon of the yacht. He had head, neck and back injuries, was bleeding from a cut to his right hand and was unable to move. The yacht too was in a bad condition: beam to the seas, no sails set, and the engine not running.

Soon after 5pm the crew of the helicopter lowered Petty Officer Air Crewman David Rigg onto the yacht with a spinal board and first aid equipment. In severe gale force 9 winds, and waves reaching 13m, Dave was totally submerged twice on his descent. Graham and Dave carefully placed the injured sailor on the spinal board, but soon realised they were unable to get him safely on deck in the dreadful sea conditions. So the pilot on the helicopter, Lieutenant Claire Donegan, asked St Mary's lifeboat for assistance. The lifeboat would have a major role to play in the rescue after all.

Lifeboat ahoy! Claire asked if the approaching lifeboat would transfer some of its crew to the yacht to help evacuate the casualty. Coxswain Andy Howells agreed to place two crew members onto the yacht. They planned to then transfer the man onto the aft deck of the lifeboat and air lift him from there with more room to manoeuvre.

Claire also requested the support of the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor, as she was aware that the fuel level on the RN helicopter was getting low, and feared they would have to return to base.

The lifeboat arrived on scene just as daylight was fading. Andy commented: 'It was useful to have a bit of light on arrival so as to see the sea state at scene and feel what it was like when stopped and at slow speed.1 Andy asked for the help of a 250m tanker Okeanis that was close by and ready to shield the yacht and lifeboat from the gale force winds.

While the Okeanis was manoeuvring into this position, Andy briefed the crew and decided Mark Bromham and Phil Roberts would be placed on board the yacht:'! tried to pick the younger and more agile to get aboard,' he said.

During a practice run to judge the conditions, a large wave hit the lifeboat and knocked her onto her port beam. The wave pushed her 30m sideways and broke acrossthe bow. None of the crew was hurt, but they were in no doubt as to the danger of what they were about to try.

Andy reflected: 'It was a good reminder of what to watch out for if we chose to go alongside.' A perilous transfer Andy went ahead and repositioned the lifeboat, and Mark and Phil stood on the port shoulder ready to jump. As the lifeboat reached the yacht, the pair leapt. Phil landed safely, but the strap at the back of Mark's lifejacket snagged on the lifeboat rail. Mark was hanging precariously between two vessels. With lightening reflexes Andy swiftly engaged full port bow thrusters and came astern on the starboard engine to stop the boats from crushing Mark. Crew Member Paul Guy grabbed Mark and both air crewmen dashed from the yacht's cockpit to help.

They pulled him up and clear, on to the yacht.

Andy approached the yacht once again with great manoeuvring skill and successfully passed some more equipment. The yacht was now in danger of capsizing, as waves filled the cockpit. In an attempt to reduce the motion of the yacht, Mark set up a sea anchor while the others prepared the injured sailor for the transfer.

Abandon yacht At 6.20pm all was ready to be transferred. Okean'ts, 100m from the yacht, once again provided a lee from the winds, now gusting up to 55 knots, but Andy became concerned that the tanker was itself being blown towards the yacht. 'I was always aware of the ship's position, hence I was keen to get the crew off at that moment,' he said.

Without hesitation he approached the yacht and placed the lifeboat alongside just as the swell put the two vessels' decks level. The crew on the yacht slid the stretcher over the guardrails into the hands of the crew on the lifeboat. All four men on the yacht now saw their own opportunity and jumped for the lifeboat. When all landed safely, Andy quickly manoeuvred full astern, clear of the yacht and the encroaching Okeanis. As he was clearing, the yacht was hit by the tanker. Within two minutes, the abandoned yacht disappeared beneath the ship's bow.

The damaged and dismasted yacht was spotted a few days later and was towed into Newlyn Harbour by the Penlee lifeboat.

Back to shore On board the lifeboat the injured sailor was taken into the wheelhouse.The crew decided that they should not risk an air lift in such severe conditions, and the two airmen also elected to stay on board the lifeboat.

They headed back to St Mary's for quayside transfer.

The RN helicopter returned to the Isles of Scilly and the RAF helicopter was recalled to base.In case of spinal injury, Andy Howells kept his speed to 15 knots on the homeward journey and they arrived back at St Mary's pier at 9.24pm. An awaiting ambulance took the casualty to the airport. He was transported by the RN helicopter toTreliske hospital in Truro, Cornwall, where he made a full recovery.Combined rescue praised In recognition of their actions in saving the sailor from certain death, Coxswain Andy Howells, Phil Roberts and Mark Bromham are to be awarded Bronze Medals for Gallantry. The rest of the lifeboat crew will each receive a framed letter of thanks from the RNLI Chairman.

Petty Officer Air Crewman David Rigg and Leading Crewman Graham Hatch will be awarded the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum for their determination, courage, skill and the vital part they played in the success of this service.

A letter of thanks from Chief Executive will also be sent to Lieutenant Claire Donegan aftd the remaining crew on board the RN helicopter and to the Master of the Okeanis for the support provided.Summary of service 3.20pm Launch of St Mary's lifeboat to help lone sailor 40 miles away 3.55pm Royal Naval helicopter arrives on scene and lowers a winchman onto the yacht 5.07pm Second helicopter crewman lowered onto yacht. Waves estimated at 13m 5.55pm St Mary's lifeboat arrives on scene 6.00pm Lifeboat crew Mark Bromham and Phil Roberts leap to yacht 6.25pm Transfer of injured sailor in stretcher from yacht to lifeboat. Leap by two helicopter crew and two lifeboat crew onto lifeboat.

Yacht abandoned 6.27pm Yacht hit by tanker 9.24pm Lifeboat arrives at St Mary's pier. Casualty is taken to Treliske hospital in TruroTHE LIFEBOAT Severn class lifeboat ON-1229 The Whiteheads Funding: Bequest of Olive Elsie Whitehead THE CREW Coxswain; Andy Howells Crew Members: Phil Roberts Mark Bromham Andy Brown Clive Sibley Paul Guy Chris Jenkins ST MARY'S LIFEBOAT STATION Established: 1837 (lapsed 1855 and re-opened 1874) Previous RNLI Medals: One Gold, nine Silver and 13 Bronze THE CASUALTY Lone sailor on 10.4m yacht THE CONDITIONS Weather: Cloudy Visibility: Very good, but fading light Wind: Force 8 Sea state: Rough, waves up to 13m.