High Summer always draws swimmers to the sea, but only the toughest would brave the weather buffeting Flamborough Head on the afternoon of 22 August 2007. As Elizabeth Paine reports, one such soul tested a new lifeboat and her crew in a race to save his life

lifeHumber Coastguard raised the alert and Darren Pollard took Flamborough’s Atlantic 85 out at full 35-knot speed, one crew member short of the usual complement, such was the urgency of the situation. South of the headland, the lifeboat station is relatively sheltered, but the crew knew they would be heading into worsening waters.

Sure enough, the B class was hit by near-gale force northerly winds opposing a southerly swell of 4m – Helmsman Pollard had to ease back to prevent the lifeboat taking to the air despite her full ballast tanks. Crew Member Danny Major’s local fi shing experience told him that these conditions would endanger the lifeboat if they ventured too close to shore but, even with an RAF rescue helicopter on the way, all onboard agreed to press on. Every minute might count.As they rounded the headland, the three volunteers were blinded by spray. The ebbing tide was fighting against the swell, and the waves nearing the cliffs grew closer together, rising 8m. Struggling to make headway, Darren pulled out again until they were abreast of the swimmer’s last known location near Breil Nook. Then, picking a course with care, he ran the lifeboat in across the waves.

Anxious cliff-top onlookers pointed the volunteers towards the swimmer as they approached North Landing. Then Crew Member Alistair Docherty spotted him far off. The man was being pushed rapidly eastward, clear of the cliffs – but further on lay rocks. He was drifting so fast that the safest option was to approach stern first, keeping the lifeboat’s bow head to sea.

The ebbing tide was fighting against the swell and the waves grew closer, rising 8m

But as Darren turned the craft, a reflected wave knocked her hard to port just as a breaking 5m swell hit. Driven out almost beam on, the lifeboat tipped to 60° and was swamped to seat height – but no one was lost overboard and Darren powered them out. He repositioned straightaway for another attempt and this time used the swell to their advantage.

Reversing in close, the crew knew they were in dangerously shallow water now. Snatching the casualty, Danny and Alistair held him to the side of the lifeboat while Darren drove seaward again until, clear by a good 200m, they were able to haul the cold and exhausted swimmer onboard.Darren considered a helicopter winch too dangerous so the largely unharmed swimmer was returned to a waiting ambulance at the lifeboat station on South Landing. The whole operation took just 32 minutes, despite the terrible conditions – and it was only the second service for the Elizabeth Jane Palmer, on station for just 9 days. All three crew voiced their admiration for the new lifeboat, which had served them so well.

Helmsman Darren Pollard’s ‘leadership, exemplary boathandling skill and cool-headed decision making’ earned him the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum, while Vellum Service Certificates were awarded to Crew Members Danny Major and Alistair Docherty.