From cliffs to islands, beaches to rivers, this selection of rescues demonstrates the depth of skill and nerve demanded of RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards - and that you can never predict where and when you may need their helpFirst aid for a doctor Kinghorn in Fife's Atlantic 75 Elizabeth Ann was launched just after 5pm on 20 July 2005 to the help of a doctor who had lost her footing while rock climbing at Hawkcraig Point, Aberdour, and fallen 15m onto a ledge that was 4.5m above sea level. Crew Members Steve Currie and Keith Hay entered the water to help transfer Katie Stein, who had self-diagnosed a broken ankle, aboard the lifeboat. Once onboard the casualty was given oxygen and her ankle dressed with a splint. Afterwards Steve Currie remarked: 'We were all intending to be at the boathouse in any case for our first aid refresher training!' Stranded off Skerries Skerries Atlantic 75 Rockabill was launched at 9.44pm on 5 November 2005 to the aid of 13 Latvian winkle pickers who were stranded on Colt Island off Skerries, Co. Dublin, when the boat due to collect them suffered engine failure. Crew members found the distressed group huddled around a fire, relieved to have avoided the fate of the Chinese cocklers off Morecambe in 2004.Without a paddle Experienced canoeists James Candy Snr and Jnr were caught out in heavy surf off Ogmore-by-Sea, Bridgend, on 15 October 2005. Capsized by a large wave, the 13-year-old was unable to regain control in the choppy water and lost his canoe. He took hold of his father's canoe but it was impossible for them to paddle with any effect against a turning tide and strong offshore wind.

They quickly started to drift out to sea.

Porthcawl's Atlantic 75 Cites launched from Coney beach in extremely heavy surf and reached the casualties in 30 minutes. They were returned cold but otherwise unharmed to shore and a waiting ambulance.

Surfer saved RNLI lifeguards battled adverse conditions on 3 July 2005 to save the life of a surfer at Tolcarne Bay in Cornwall. He had severe head injuries from having been repeatedly washed onto the rocks. Lifeguard Richie Mullin dived into a dangerous mix of high surf, strong winds and rip currents to bring the surfer to shore. Once ashore fellow Lifeguard Kate Dixson administered oxygen and first aid to the shocked casualty during a 20-minute wait for an ambulance.

Lives lost at Lulworth Cove Two teenage boys were swept off rocks at Lulworth Cove in Dorset on 3 November 2005. A third boy managed to get himself ashore and raise the alarm. Four lifeboats, Weymouth's relief Severn class Roger and Joy Freeman and Atlantic 75 Phyl Clare 3 and Swanage's Mersey class Robert Charles Brown and D class Jack Cleare, were involved in the search, which went well into the night and throughout the following days.

Tragically, both lives were lost. The Grand Hotel in Swanage set up a memorial fund to cover funeral and other expenses. The surplus will be donated to the RNLI.St Agnes Senior Helmsman Gavin Forehead was expecting a routine exercise when he launched with his crew on 16 October 2005 but when they returned just over an hour later, they had saved two lives Gavin, Helmsman Rory Bushe, Crew Member James Watkins and two probationary crew members launched on exercise from Trevaunance Cove at 2.05pm. Rain showers made for poor visibility and there was 1m surf breaking near the shore. Rory was operating the lifeboat radio and established communications with Falmouth Coastguard, expecting to be informed what time the RNAS Culdrose helicopter would be arriving to join the exercise.

Instead, the crew were told to standby: the Coastguard was receiving a 999 call about an incident in the St Agnes area.

Moments later, an urgent message came over the radio: 'Chapel Porth, immediate.' A fisherman on shore, Barry Garland, had seen surfers being washed south around the headland. Barry, a former St Agnes Crew Member, phoned the Coastguard.

Gavin took the lifeboat back to the shore and dropped off the two probationary crew members. 'In a rescue you ideally want just three crew on a D class. Rory and James stayed aboard, as they are both experienced,' explains Gavin.

With Gavin at the helm, the crew headed for Chapel Porth at full speed. Gavin passed skilfully between rocks off St Agnes Head known as the Crams. 'It is a very narrow passage between the rocks and you need to judge the swells and tide just right to get through,' Gavin points out. 'It probably saved us a good minute and a half.' As the crew approached Chapel Porth they found the surf was much larger than on the north side of St Agnes Head. They saw a group of surfers in the sea to the south of the cove who were shouting and waving.

'I knew one of the surfers,' remembers Gavin, 'and he was pointing to a cave and shouting "In there, Gavin, in there!"' The large waves had created a strong rip tide on the south side of the cove, which pushed two surfers (a 12-year-old girl and a man) and their boards towards Horseshoe Cave. Two other surfers, Tom Roberson and Jamie Kent, had seen the pair in trouble and paddled towards them.

'I used my first approach to assess the scene,' says Gavin. 'I could see the girl and man hanging on to the cliff face near the cave. He was being battered by the waves and was clinging on to both the girl and the rock for dear life while also trying to detach their surfboard leashes.'As Gavin completed his run past the casualties, the girl slipped into the water. A large wave washed her into the cave, around a corner and out of sight.

'I wanted us to go in straight away but, looking back, I'm so glad that Gavin assessed things first,' says James. While Gavin dealt with a large set of waves, Tom and Jamie swam into the cave with the man, in search of the girl. The two experienced surfers helped both casualties, who were very weak by now, out of thewater and onto the top of a large rock. As Gavin prepared to make a second approach towards the cave he could just make out all four people on the rock.

'I didn't want to take the lifeboat in because there were so many risks,' says Gavin. 'If we'd capsized or damaged the propeller on the rocks below the surface, we'd all be stuck in there with a lifeboat that weighs nearly a tonne being thrown around in a tight space.' He was considering his options when he suddenly realised that he had a chance to enter the cave relatively safely. There was a lull between the sets of waves and I decided to go in. As I headed down sea we were going full speed and the engine was screaming.' Displaying excellent seamanship, Gavin spun the boat around 180° as he reached the cave entrance and applied the power again for a short time.

He had successfully positioned the lifeboat 1m from the rock, facing out to sea. 'I just remember seeing mussels everywhere and 2m waves,' says Gavin.

Gavin told the girl to jump. But as she did so, she missed the lifeboat and disappeared beneath the water. Rory and James reached over the side and pulled her aboard with the help of the male casualty, who had jumped in after her. He told the lifeboat crew to take her to safety, but Gavin was not keen on leaving him behind.

'It was very dangerous in there and he could be an extra pair of hands to hold onto the girl while we concentrated on getting clear,' Gavin says. Rory and James helped the second casualty aboard.

Now it was Tom and Jamie who encouraged the crew to leave before the next set of waves swept in. Gavin powered the lifeboat out of the cave. Although he was keen to get the casualties to safety, the helmsman was still concerned about the two surfers and made a return pass at the entrance of the cave. He saw Tom and Jamie beginning to make their way out and they indicated that they were 'okay'.

Gavin planned to head to Chapel Porth, but a large barrelling wave could be seen surging towards the lifeboat. He headed towards an area of deeper water under the cliffs to the south of the cave, hoping that the wave would break on a sandbar before reaching the lifeboat but it continued towards the cliff and started to break.

Gavin turned hard to starboard and Rory and James leant as far forward as they could to prevent the lifeboat's bow lifting too far. A wall of white water hit the lifeboat but, thanks to the crew's expert handling, they safely negotiated the wave.

Rory contacted the Coastguard to request medical assistance as the young girl was showing symptoms of shock and the crew were concerned she might have inhaled water. At 2.40pm, 23 minutes after the service began, the lifeboat landed the casualties at Chapel Porth beach where a Coastguard team was waiting. Within ten minutes, the RNAS Culdrose rescue helicopter landed nearby and took them to hospital.

While the casualties were being assessed for injury, the lifeboat crew relaunched and returned to the cave to check on the two surfers' progress. Tom had successfully paddled clear of the breaking waves but Jamie, using one of the casualties' surfboards, was still paddling near the cave and was looking tired. The crew pulled him and the surfboard aboard and, at his request, returned him to one of the surfer groups.

After making sure all the other surfers could reach the shore safely if they needed to, Gavin headed out to sea through another set of large breaking waves. The third wave threw Crew Member James Watkins backwards, leaving him winded and slightlyshocked. His fall had bent the tiller arm and the lifeboat made slow speed back to the station, arriving at 3.17pm. They recovered the lifeboat and made a 'much needed cup of tea.' RNLI Training Divisional Inspector Howard Ramm says:'Helmsman Forehead's actions were truly representative of a helmsman completely in control of the situation.

His appreciation of the risks to his own crew, balanced against the changing situation, allowed him to make some excellent decisions.' Helmsman Gavin Forehead (29) is to receive the RNLI's Silver Medal for Gallantry at the Annual Presentation of Awards in May, in recognition of his excellent decision making, dynamic risk assessment, outstanding boat handling and overall command, while Helmsman Rory Bushe (22) and Crew Member James Watkins (20) each receive the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum for their part in the rescue. Surfers Tom Roberson and Jamie Kent also receive Vellum awards for their selflessness and courage. (See page 2 for another 'thank you'.)THE INSHORE LIFEBOAT D class D-641 Blue Peter IV Funding: Proceeds from Blue Peter TV appeal 1994 THE CREW Senior Helmsman Gavin Forehead, Helmsman Rory Bushe, Crew Member James Watkins ST ACNES LIFEBOAT STATION Established: 1968 Previous RNLI Medals: One Silver THE CASUALTIES A man and a 12-year-old girl THE CONDITIONS Weather: Rain showers Visibility: Moderate to poor Wind: Force 1-2 Sea state: 2m surf, rapidly flooding tideChy Start-Walter, the 12-year-old girl rescued by the St Agnes crew was quick to thank Gavin, Rory and James for their lifesaving work.

'I didn't think the lifeboat was going to be able get in to the cave,' remembers Chy. 'I thought I was going to die because the cave was full up with water - I'm very thankful to the lifeboat crew.' Hearing that he was to receive the RNLI's Silver Medal for Gallantry, Gavin felt extremely proud.

'I was really pleased,' he says. 'It is a great achievement for the station as a whole. We cannot get out there in the first place without the shore crew and the people who keep the engine in top condition.' Chy's mother Sharon says: 'When I thanked Gavin, he was so modest. He just said "That's okay, it's what we do".

In my opinion benevolence, bravery and modesty are marks of a true hero, so it is highly appropriate that the crew should be rewarded like this.'Fortitude off Falmouth Without power, Merchant Vessel Calina found herself at the mercy of a violent storm and drifting dangerously close to shore. With the nearest Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) several hours away, RNLI crew were called upon to help avert a disaster At 11.35pm on 2 November 2005, the Coastguard requested that Falmouth and Fowey lifeboats be launched to assist the 32m Catina. She was 5.2 miles south south east off Dodman Point and 11 miles east of Falmouth in conditions that newly appointed Falmouth Coxswain Mark Pollard recalls as 'the worst I've ever been out in - especially at night.'The Severn class Richard Cox Scott set off at 11.47pm with Mark, Second Coxswain Peter Wood, Mechanic David Proud and Crew Members Tom Bird, Carl Beardmore, Andy Jenkins and Dave Nicoll on board.

Battling head on into the weather, the lifeboat took 50 minutes to make 10 miles. The crew made contact with the Catina's Latvian captain to confirm her position.

Communication was difficult but, when David came to understand that there were no flares on board, it was agreed that the captain would shine the vessel's searchlight to the west. The lifeboat crew briefly glimpsed the beam and set their course. Once within a mile of the ship, Tom and Andy set up the lifeboat's searchlights and the reflective strips on the Catina's safety equipment revealed the vessel for the first time. She was rolling heavily in 6-8m seas and Mark spotted a further complication - saddle tanks along the waterline meant going alongside would be both difficult and dangerous.Mark moved from the shelter of the wheelhouse to take command from the exposed upper steering position. The lifeboat was subject to the full force of the gale and waves were breaking at Mark's eye-level.

It was now 12.27am and the Calina was just 4.3 miles off Dodman Point. Assessing that the vessel wasn't in any immediate danger, Mark positioned the lifeboat to monitor her drift while they waited for the ETV Anglian Princess.

Fowey's Trent class Maurice and Joyce Hardy arrived 20 minutes later with Coxswain Keith Stuart and his six crew members.

Such was the speed of drift that only 10 minutes later the Calina was within 3.7 miles of shore. It was clear they could no longer afford to wait for the Anglian Princess. Mark and Keith discussed the best possible course of action. RNLI divisional Inspector Simon Pryce says: The presence of Fowey lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Stuart, was of great benefit to Coxswain Pollard. Coxswain Stuart not only provided a sounding board and an extra set of eyes but also a safety net had anything gone wrong or anyone fallen overboard from the Calina.' As Coxswain of the larger and more powerful Severn class lifeboat, Mark agreed to attempt to put a line onboard. Using nearly all of the lifeboat's engine power to steer, he skilfully brought his crew in close under the Galina's bow for the first of a number of attempts.

Simon Pryce explains: 'Coxswain Poilard handled the lifeboat in an exceptional manner. The Severn class was working at its limits, but he had the skill and confidence to hold her in a hazardous position whilst his crew attempted to pass the tow. Waves had swamped the upper steering position more than once but such was Mark's intense concentration that he hadn't noticed.' After 33 minutes perseverance paid off when Dave threw the line vertically and let the wind carry it across.

With the Calina now 2.5 miles from Dodman Point, the Richard Cox Scott slowly extended her tow to its full 220m and set a south easterly course. However the rope could soon be heard creaking under the strain. It was soon clear that only a longer line still would ensure a safe tow. A second line was connected to the first and Mark managed to hold a steady speed of one knot in 8-10m breaking waves. Now the situation was relatively stable, Mark let himself be relieved and took a brief rest.

He had been at the wheel for over Vh hours. His foul-weather gear had kept out the breaking waves but he was soaked in sweat from the effort.

The Anglian Princess at last arrived at 2.35am and it was agreed that the lifeboat's tow could safely be released to allow the ETV to take up position. It took a full 15 minutes to haul in the 440m line due to the Severn's heavy pitching. Both lifeboats then stood by as several attempts were made to establish a line between the Calina and the Anglian Princess. Success came at 3.35am but just nine minutes later what had been promised to be 'a very strong rope' from the Calina parted and the task began all over again.

At 4am and with the Calina just 2 miles offshore, Mark and the Coastguard agreed that if the towline was still not in place by 4.20am he would start to take the Galina's eight crew off. This would be hazardous for all concerned so Mark requested a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose be put on standby. A few minutes later, however, the towline was re-established and significant progress was at last made. Fowey lifeboat, whose crew had remained vigilant throughout in appallingly uncomfortable conditions (at one point she was seen to be completely airborne), was released to return to station.All were relieved to hear the Galina report within the hour that she had managed to restart her engine and would be able to proceed under her own power.

The return to berth for Mark and his crew took over an hour in very heavy seas and they arrived at 6.34am, nearly seven hours after the initial request to launch.

Mark commented afterwards: 'Was I scared? No, not really:you 're aware of the potentially dangerous situation, of course, but you 're out there to do a job and you just get on with it. We're all concentrating so much that there's not really time to be scared.' Coxswain Mark Pollard (31) is to be awarded the Institution's Bronze Medal in recognition of his fortitude. Divisional Inspector Simon Pryce says of Mark's actions: Throughout the service he demonstrated a calm and considered professionalism, seeking advice from the senior members of his team and the more experienced Fowey Coxswain, and weighing up all his options before taking action. He communicated his decisions and orders in a measured manner despite being under a great deal more pressure than he had ever faced before and he inspired complete trust in the crew he had with him.' Medal service badges and certificates are to be presented to his six crew members.

Coxswain Keith Stuart (50) will receive Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the RNLI Chairman in recognition of the valuable support provided by the Fowey lifeboat throughout this gruelling service.

Captain Peter Rimmer of the ETV Anglian Princess will also receive a letter of appreciation signed by the RNLI's Chief Executive. (For more on ETVs, see the winter 2003 issue of the Lifeboat.)THE FALMOUTH LIFEBOAT Richard Cox Scott Severn class all weather lifeboat, ON-1256 Funding: Legacy of Mrs Ruth Marygold Dix Scott together with other gifts and legacies THE FALMOUTH CREW Coxswain Mark Pollard Second Coxswain Peter Wood Mechanic David Proud Crew Members Carl Beardmore,Tom Bird, Andy Jenkin, Dave Nicoll FALMOUTH LIFEBOAT STATION Established: 1867 Previous medals received: 2 Cold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze THE FOWEY LIFEBOAT Maurice and Joyce Hardy Trent class all weather lifeboat, ON-1222 Funding: Gift and bequest of Maurice C Hardy CBE CEng THE FOWEY CREW Coxswain Keith Stuart Crew Members John Barker, Steven Barker, Paul Gamble, Carl Gudmunsen, Robert Harris, Jonathan Pritchard FOWEY LIFEBOAT STATION Established: 1859 Previous medals received: 1 Gold, 10 Silver and 1 Bronze THE CASUALTIES Merchant Vessel Calina (32m) with eight adults onboard THE CONDITIONS Dark Weather: Violent storm, heavy squalls Visibility: Good Wind: South south westerly force 9-10, gusting 11 Sea state: Very rough1 IH I i Following their busiest summer yet on UK beaches, 10 RNLI lifeguards are now using their skills and experience to make an impression on Australian beach rescue statistics. Here are the stories of two lives they saved during the winter On 11 October 2005 the alarm was raised at Whale Beach, north of Sydney, to rescue a 64-year-old fisherman who had been washed into the sea. Sharp rocks with a sweeping swell running across them meant that the lifeguard on duty, James Billing (23) from Cornwall, was unable to simply jump straight into the water. He radioed lifeguards on the next beach to explain the situation and request assistance. Getting into the water with his rescue board, James was assisted by a rip current running along the rock ledge and reached the casualty in a matter of seconds.

As James explained, the exhausted man was barely able to stay afloat: 'He was in a bad way. He was very tired and floating on his back with his mouth just breaking the surface for air.'James made the decision to roll the fully clothed fisherman onto his board as if he were an unconscious casualty. Just then, a set of large and steep waves approached. James shouted instructions to the man to hold on and take some deep breaths. The first two waves passed by but the third picked us up in the lip and sucked us both towards the rocks. Luckily I was able to keep hold of the man and my board. It felt like he weighed a tonne; I struggled to keep a foothold on the rocks under the water whilst fighting against the rip that was grinding us over the jagged stones.' Battling with the large waves and strong currents, James awaited assistance. 'Then came the familiar sound of the rescue watercraft engine and my colleague came in very close to the rocks, held out his hand and helped me put the casualty onto the rescue mat he was towing,' remembered James. On shore, the man was given oxygen and then taken to hospital where the staff described him as extremely lucky.

James, who has four years' experience as an RNLI lifeguard at Holywell Bay in Cornwall, concluded: 'I think I can honestly say I used almost every skill I've developed as an RNLI beach lifeguard to carry out this rescue.' This is James's second season in Australia. Last winter he went to the southern hemisphere as part of an exchange scheme between the RNLI and the Australian and New Zealand surf life saving organisations.

In contrast, Newquay RNLI lifeguard, John Steadman (31), was enjoying a leisurely New Year's Eve stroll along Scarborough beach while on holiday in Perth, Western Australia when he spotted a man close to drowning 100m offshore. Off duty and completely unaided, John demonstrated the skills that had earned him the 2004 'Lifeguard of the Year' award in Restormel, Cornwall, and rescued the man before being spotted by the local lifeguards who then assisted.

Peter Dawes, Beach Lifeguard Manager (Operations), comments: 'Lifeguards and lifeboat crew have skills that are at the ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is not unusual to hear of their training being used outside the work environment to help in emergencies whether in or out of the water. It is perhaps not as well known as it should be that our lifeguards are first responders for the ambulance services in their areas of operation.' On the exchange programme: The RNLI has a tradition of strong relationships with lifeboat services around the world and the lifeguard exchange programme between the UK and Australia and New Zealand is an extension of this. For the last three years lifeguards from these three countries have had the opportunity to apply their skills in different environments, increasing their overall experience.

'Australian lifeguards serving in the UK get to experience a fully integrated lifeboat and lifeguard service and the support structure the RNLI provides. Lifeguards from the UK stationed in Queensland, for example, experience a semi-tropical environment where they are exposed to new marine hazards including dangerous tropical jellyfish, crocodiles and sharks.

They learn the different ways the lifeguard services manage these environments to ensure maximum beach safety. Of course universal to all lifeguard services is the value of beach safety education in preventing tragedies. This year a total of 11 RNLI lifeguards will be selected from those who have performed exceptionally well over their season, and it is hoped the number will expand in future years.'.