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 a 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 rough.