Skilful boat handling and teamwork played a major role in this rescue but, for New Brighton Helmsman Mark Bland, decision making was the difficult part. Here's Mark's personal account While working at my office at Safe Water Training on Monday 18 April 2005, my pager was activated at 11.40am indicating'Launch ILB.' I drove to the boathouse: a number of crew had already arrived and were preparing the lifeboat and getting changed. I telephoned Liverpool Coastguard, who informed me that the 7m cabin cruiser Melody, with four people on board, was struggling in deteriorating weather conditions in the approaches to the River Mersey. Two of the four had been washed overboard. To find the two men overboard would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, not to mention the weather conditions.

On our way to the launch site I selected my crew for the B class Atlantic Rock Light.

In view of the weather conditions and the nature of the call out, I elected to go afloat with a crew of three, Mark Harding as Radio Operator, Greg Morgan as Navigator and myself as Helmsman. Chris Henderson, John Francom and Ian Bruce performed the duties of shore crew. The launch site was well sheltered from the strong westerly wind with plenty of beach exposed by the ebbing tide and we launched safely.

Once we left the launch carriage and turned to proceed in a north westerly direction, it very quickly became apparent that the effect of the wind against tide was going to give us an uncomfortable ride. The sea state was rough with large, white breaking waves visible in the shallows over the Great Burbo Bank and wind-streaked waves of approximately 4m in the channel.

At one point the wind ripped the visor off my helmet. It was impossible to maintain any vision due to the amount of spray, so the lifeboat was stopped briefly to refit my visor.

The further offshore we travelled, the worse the conditions became with waves of a greater size and wind speed in excess of 30 knots. The B class was fabulous, phenomenally capable. I had faith in the boat and the crew behind me. We made way as safely as the conditions allowed, often travelling at less than 12 knots, arriving on scene with the Melody at around 12.15pm.

On our approach we heard, much to our relief, that the two men overboard had been recovered. The skipper hadn't lost sight of the men and had quite miraculously retrieved them. His vessel was making way, slowly heading towards Liverpool for shelter. I came alongside to transfer a crew member, but Melody broached severely to starboard. We could see the deck was littered with fishing equipment. On the second approach Crew Member Mark Harding jumped safely onto the back of the cabin cruiser.

7 took a leap of faith.

Mark's boat handling was outstanding to get so close to the casualty.' Crew Member Mark Harding Hoylake all weather lifeboat Lady of Hilbre had launched and was making way. On board Melody, Mark reported that the two rescued men were suffering from the effects of the cold and one had sustained a neck or shoulder injury. Both were placed in the wheelhouse and stabilised. The lifeboat's first aid kit and oxygen were transferred onto the casualty whilst Melody's skipper continued to fight the large following sea with difficulty.

Conditions on board Melody were horrendous and the more seriously injured man began to deteriorate quickly. We were in a cleft stick. We were 5-6 miles from the station, in horrible deteriorating weather, with one man needing urgent medical assistance. Melody was only managing to make 4-5 knots towards Liverpool, the all weather lifeboat was up to an hour away and the Rescue 122 helicopter was not available.

What do I do? First, I directed Crew Member Greg Morgan to also transfer to assist Mark. They fitted a cervical collar to the injured man, placed a survival bag around him and administered oxygen therapy.

I witnessed Melody broach severely on several occasions, which must have been how the guys got washed out in the first place. At one point I saw the propeller of their boat and 50 per cent of the hull.

Concerned for their own safety and that of the casualty vessel, Mark Harding took the controls of Melody with the skipper's blessing while Greg monitored and reassured both of the immersion victims.

I decided to make towards the Pier Head, Liverpool. With Melody now making around 10-12 knots, she became much more stable and made good progress.

County Rescue [River Mersey Inshore Rescue boat] met with us and both boats escorted Melody down the Crosby Channel.

After about 30 minutes, extra oxygen was passed to us and then to Melody. One of the County Rescue crew, also an RNLI crew member from Hoylake, transferred to assist me in the B class.

County Rescue departed to make preparations at the Pier Head to transfer the men to the waiting paramedics.

Hoylake lifeboat arrived in the vicinity and stood by.

Mark Harding berthed Melody alongside County Rescue and the injured men made it safely ashore at around 2pm. My crew rejoined the lifeboat and we retrieved our equipment from Melody. Hoylake lifeboat stood down and began its passage back home.

We headed back to New Brighton where the lifeboat was recovered and transported back to station to refuel and wash down. The lifeboat was back ready for service at 2.52pm.

After the shout we were all exhausted from getting such a battering on the way out. My arms felt like they'd been pulled out of their sockets. Throughout this demanding service the performance of the lifeboat and my crew was exemplary. All I did was get them there! Without them, those we rescued would have been in a far worse condition.

Mark Bland New Brighton Helmsman 4 'It's a testimony to both the lifeboat and our training, which allowed us to go out and do the job.' Crew Member Mark Harding 'Your teamwork and determination in the most testing conditions that afternoon were in the best traditions of the RNLI. Well done!' RNLI Chairman Admiral Sir Jock Slater, in letters of appreciation to the ^^ New Brighton crew.