Volume XLVIII Number 479 The

LifeboaJournal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Spring 198t2 25p The Captain takes his hato totheRNLL THE LIFEBOAT

Spring 1982 Contents N^^C*™, »

Penlee: the loss of Solomon Browne and her crew, December 19, 1981 40

XL VIII Lifeboat Services 43

4 /9 CBor VHF? The Coastguard's view 51

The Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society, by John G. Francis 52

™E™OFATHOLL Some of the Lifeboats of the RNLI Fleet 54

Director and Secretary: Lifeboat Open Days 1982: Poole Headquarters and Depot 56 REAR ADMIRAL W. J. GRAHAM, CB MNI

Books : 56

Boat Show 1982, Earls Court 57

Building the Fast Slipway Lifeboat—Part VII: fitted out 59

Letters 60 Editor: JOAN DAVIES Shoreline 61

Headquarters: Some Ways of Raising Money 62 Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road. Poole. Dorset BH15 Awards to Coxswains, Crews and Shore Helpers 66 1HZ (Telephone Poole 671133). Lifeboat Services, September, October and November 1981 70 London Office: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 202 Lambeth Road. London SE1 7JW Index to Advertisers 72 (Telephone 01-928 4236). Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising consideration with a view to publica- enquiries should be addressed to tion in the journal should be addressed Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box to the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal 9, Godalming, Surrey (Telephone National Lifeboat Institution, West Godalming (04868) 23675). Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ COVER PICTURE (Telephone Poole 671133). Photo- Subscription: A year's subscription of RNLB Barham, Great Yarmouth and Gorles- graphs intended for return should be four issues costs £1.40, including post- ton's 44ft Waveney class lifeboat, when on sta- accompanied by a stamped and addres- age, but those who are entitled to tion in May 1980. She is named in memory of sed envelope. receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge HMS Barham which was torpedoed in 1941 will continue to do so. Overseas sub- and more than half her cost was provided by a scriptions depend on the cost of postage bequest from the brother of one of the 859 men lost when the battleship was sunk. Repre- to the country concerned. Write to sentatives of the 405 who were rescued from Next issue: the summer issue of THE RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset the sinking ship were present at the naming of LIFEBOAT will appear in July and news BH15 1HZ. RNLB Barham on September 17, 1980. Since items should be sent by the end of going on station, Barham has launched on April. News items for the autumn issue Printers: The Friary Press, Grove Trad- service 28 times and rescued 16 lives. should be sent in by the end of July. ing Estate, Dorchester, Dorset.

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38 A private service of remembrance guard officers who co-ordinated the res- and thanksgiving for the lifeboatmen's cue, received special certificates. families was held on January 22 in Paul The most touching speech came from Church and was attended by HRH The Gunnar Thorsteinsson, captain of Tun- Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, gufoss, who was lifted off his vessel min- accompanied by the Duchess. A mem- utes before she sank. With his crew, the orial service was held on February 15 in captain had bought thick woollen Ice- Truro Cathedral and was attended by landic sweaters for the lifeboatmen, the Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret helicopter crew and coastguards 'for Thatcher. saving our lives'. The captain's perfect The RNLI is holding its own inquiry English expressed his thanks, but his into the disaster and the Department of presence reminded everybody that Trade is conducting a preliminary in- without the helicopter and lifeboat, he quiry before deciding whether to hold a would not still be alive. formal investigation into the loss of The lifeboatmen who received the Penlee lifeboat. medals were Coxswain/Mechanic Maur- More details of the disaster are given ice Hutchens, Second Coxswain John on page 40. Pender and Crew Members Cedric Johnson, Timothy George, Derek NOTES OF Danish lifeboat disaster Angove, Phillip Shannon and Terence The Institution sent a message of Greene. THE QUARTER deep sympathy to the Danish lifeboat authority on the loss of six lifeboatmen from Hirtshals on December 1, 1981. The Mrs Hoy retires six men were lost when their boat cap- The retirement of Mrs Maire Hoy THE LOSS of Penlee lifeboat and her crew sized in rough seas as they went to the from the post of station honorary stunned people throughout Great Brit- rescue of three men from a wrecked secretary of Clogher Head, Co Louth, ain and Ireland and thousands of mes- Danish fishing vessel off north-west marks the end of 20 years of dedicated sages of sympathy from many parts of Jutland. service. Mrs Hoy took over the position the world were received by the be- 'as a temporary measure' when her hus- reaved families. Before she was lost, the band, who had been honorary secretary lifeboat Solomon Browne had taken Icelandic bravery medals for eight years, died suddenly. Her four people off the coaster Union Star in The rescue last September of 11 men deputy launching authority was the har- appalling conditions and for this service from the Icelandic coaster Tungufoss bour master and they usually consulted the RNLI made posthumous awards of (see page 44) not only showed what about lifeboat launches. During her the gold medal for gallantry to Cox- good co-ordination can be achieved be- time as honorary secretary, the lifeboat swain William Trevelyan Richards and tween rescue services but also brought a was launched about 50 times. Her son, bronze medals for gallantry to Second most sincere appreciation of the res- Brendan, remains on the station com- Coxswain/Mechanic James Stephen cuers from the Icelandic Government. mittee as honorary treasurer. Mrs Hoy Madron, Assistant Mechanic Nigel The President of Iceland, Mrs Vigdis is the only woman to have served as a Brockman, Emergency Mechanic John Finnbogadottir, attended a special cere- station honorary secretary in recent Robert Blewett, Crew Member Charles mony at the Hyde Park Hotel, London, years and for her service she has been Thomas Greenhaugh, Crew Member on February 17 to present the Republic awarded the gold badge. Kevin Smith, Crew Member Barrie of Iceland's silver medal for valour to Robertson Torrie and Crew Member Coxswain/Mechanic Maurice Hutchens Gary Lee Wallis. Those from Union and the crew of Sennen Cove lifeboat The late Mr W. T. Bishop Star who also perished were the captain, and to Lt Nick Houghton and his heli- The death on January 16 of William his wife and two step-daughters and copter crew from the Royal Naval Air T. Bishop, a Life Vice-President of the four crew members. Station at Culdrose. Mrs Finnbogadot- Institution, is reported with deep re- In accordance with its regulations the tir said that the medal, instituted in gret. Mr Bishop joined the Committee Institution is paying pensions to the de- 1950, had only been awarded once be- of Management in 1969, was elected a pendants of the lifeboatmen at the same fore and added that the people of Ice- Vice-President in 1978 and a Life Vice- rate as are received by dependants of land'. . . will never forget what you did, President in 1980. chief petty officers in the Royal Navy and what you do. I wish you to wear the In addition to the many other ways killed on active service. Donations medals often, because then I wish you that William Bishop supported the In- poured into the local disaster fund set long life'. stitution we remember with gratitude up by Penwith District Council and Presentations were also made by The the generous and unstinting way in although it seemed that legal difficulties Iceland Steampship Company, owners which he devoted so much of his time might hamper the distribution of the of Tungufoss, and the Icelandic Lifesav- and professional experience to the fund as deemed necessary by the trus- ing Society to the two crews, and Martin Poole Project Working Party, as its tees, these were overcome. Tregoning and Peter Baker, the Coast- chairman. Under his guidance, during the three-year life of the working party, The President of Iceland, Mrs the Institution's HQ in London, and de- Vigdis Finnbogadottir, with pot at Boreham Wood, were uprooted Coxswain/Mechanic Maurice and re-created in their new location in Hutchens of Sennen Cove (c) Poole, from which the operational and and Gunnar Thorsteinsson, fund-raising backup functions of the captain of the Icelandic coas- RNLI are now performed. ter Tungufoss. For the rescue of 11 men from Tungufoss last September, Mrs Finnbogadot- Poole Head Office and Depot Telephone tir presented the Republic of Number: From Wednesday March 31, Iceland's silver medal for 1982, the Poole head office and depot valour to Coxswain Hutchens telephone number becomes Poole and the crew of Sennen Cove 671133. At the same time the STD area lifeboat and to Lt Nick code for Poole callers outside the local Houghton and his helicopter crew from RNAS Culdrose. area becomes 0202. 39 to their efforts. The gold medal for out- standing gallantry was awarded to Cox- PENLEE swain William Trevelyan Richards and the bronze medal for gallantry was THE LOSS OF SOLOMON BROWNE AND awarded to each member of the life- boat's crew: Second Coxswain/ HER CREW, DECEMBER 19, 1981 Mechanic James Stephen Madron, Assistant Mechanic Nigel Brockman, PENLEE LIFEBOAT, the 47ft Watson class The last radio message from the life- Emergency Mechanic John Robert Solomon Browne, with her coxswain, boat confirmed that four people had Blewett, Crew Member Charles Thom- Trevelyan Richards, and all on board, been rescued and before returning to as Greenhaugh, Crew Member Kevin was lost on the night of Saturday De- their base the helicopter crew saw Solo- Smith, Crew Member Barrie Robertson cember 19 during a service to the 1,400 mon Browne, then only about 50 yards Torrie and Crew Member Gary Lee ton coaster Union Star, registered in off the steep-to rocky shore, turn, pos- Wallis. A gold medal service plaque was Dublin. sibly to make another approach. There awarded to the station. Solomon Browne had launched in a was no further radio contact with the In the tragedy which followed their violent storm to go to the aid of Union lifeboat, but her lights were seen to dis- successful endeavours all eight men Star which had reported engine failure appear some ten minutes later, at about gave their lives. Those in Union Star when eight miles east of Wolf Rock the same time that Union Star was over- who also perished were the captain, his Lighthouse and which was drifting whelmed and laid on her side to the wife and two step-daughters, and four rapidly on to the cliffs four miles south west of Tater-du Lighthouse. crew members. west of Penlee lifeboat station; there Despite many hours search through For the part they played in the subse- were eight people on board, including the night and the following day by the St quent search, letters of appreciation one woman and two teenage girls. The Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 52ft Arun life- signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, weather was atrocious. The wind, blow- boat Robert Edgar under the command director of the Institution, were sent to ing from south by east, increased to hur- of Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge, by Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge and his ricane force 12, gusting to 90 knots; The Lizard-Cadgwith 52ft Barnett life- crew of St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, to there was a heavy ground swell and the boat The Duke of Cornwall (Civil Ser- Coxswain/Mechanic Peter Mitchell and mountainous seas were reported to be vice No 33) under the command of his crew of The Lizard-Cadgwith, and 60ft high; in driving rain, visibility was Coxswain/Mechanic Peter Mitchell, by to Coxswain/Mechanic Maurice Hutch- very poor. So bad were the conditions helicopters, by HM Coastguard coast ens and his crew of Sennen Cove. Let- that in spite of many attempts a Royal rescue teams and by fishing vessels, no ters signed by Rear Admiral Graham Navy Sea King helicopter, piloted by survivors were recovered from either were also sent to Rear Admiral E. R. Lt-Cdr Russell L. Smith, USN, was un- Solomon Browne or Union Star. The re- Anson, Flag Officer Naval Air Com- able to lift off any of the coaster's crew. lief 37ft Oakley lifeboat The Vincent mand, Yeovil, and Captain R. C. Dim- Coxswain Richards repeatedly took Nesfield, temporarily on station at Sen- mock, RN, the commanding officer of his lifeboat alongside the coaster in nen Cove, also launched to search very RNAS Culdrose, expressing the Institu- these appalling conditions to try to res- early on December 20 under the com- tion's thanks to Lt-Cdr Russell L. cue the eight people on board. Latterly mand of Coxswain/Mechanic Maurice Smith, USN, and the other helicopter on at least two occasions the lifeboat Hutchens but, heading into the full pilots and crews who had taken part in was lifted by a huge wave on to the deck force of the storm and with wind against the attempted rescue and the search of Union Star, then sliding stern first tide increasing the ferocity of the which followed. back into the sea. Subsequently Cox- already tremendous seas, she was un- swain Richards drove her alongside able to round Land's End and had to Immediate support once more and four people on the deck return to station; she launched again to In accordance with the Institution's jumped into the lifeboat. The Solomon help in the later stages of the search. normal practice following an accident to Browne was observed to have slammed Awards for gallantry have been made a lifeboat, senior members of head- hard against the coaster's side but was to the coxswain and crew of Solomon quarters staff, led by the deputy chief of seen moving away, apparently still Browne for the rescue of four people operations, Cdr George Cooper, as well under control. from Union Star, despite the tragic end as local coast and district organising staff, set out for Penlee as soon as it was The coaster Union Star overwhelmed and on the rocks west of Tater-du Lighthouse. known that Solomon Browne had been photograph by courtesy of RNAS Culdrose lost to assist the bereaved families with any immediate financial or other needs and to start an investigation into the cause of the disaster. The Department of Trade also opened a preliminary in- quiry and both investigations are still in progress. Rear Admiral Graham, called from an international aircraft just about to take off from Gatwick Airport, reached Penlee on Sunday afternoon.

Lifeboat cover Following the loss of Solomon Browne, everyone at Penlee asked at once that they should be provided with a replacement lifeboat. The 70ft Clyde relief lifeboat Charles H. Barrett (Civil Service No. 35) sailed to Newlyn the same day to provide immediate lifeboat cover for the area; she was under the command of a staff coxswain and her full-time crew were augmented by Pen- lee volunteers who, in preparation for 40 the arrival of a temporary boat, started tions, and thousands of individuals. warded a cheque for £6,000 to the head- crew training straight away under the Together with deep sympathy came quarters at Poole. guidance of the divisional inspector of warm-hearted, generous help in many So great was the response that by lifeboats (South West), Leslie Vipond, forms, both financial and practical. the time the Penwith District Council and his deputy, Christopher Price. Penlee disaster fund was closed on Feb- After Christmas the 46ft 9in Watson Continuing help ruary 15, more than 2'/2 million pounds relief lifeboat Charles Henry Ashley was When lifeboatmen are lost on service, had been contributed—and every penny sent to Penlee to continue crew train- in addition to state pensions, their was an expression of personal concern ing; she was later replaced by another widows and dependants receive from for those who had given so much more lifeboat of the same class from the relief the Institution pensions equivalent to of so much greater value. fleet, Guy and Clare Hunter, which had those paid to widows and dependants of been stationed at St Mary's, Scilly Isles, a chief petty officer in the Royal Navy from 1955 to 1981. On February 5 Guy killed on active service. Such pensions Services of remembrance and Clare Hunter was officially placed are being received by dependants of the Sadly only four funerals have been on service, with Staff Coxswain Tom crew of Solomon Browne. possible and so a special family service Beattie as her temporary coxswain; she On the day following the tragedy an of remembrance and thanksgiving was is expected to remain on station until a independent Penlee Disaster Fund was arranged in Paul Parish Church, fol- new replacement lifeboat is ready. set up by the Chairman of Penwith Dis- lowed by an RNLI Memorial Service in trict Council to help the families, and Truro Cathedral. Cdr Peter Sturdee, Messages of sympathy another fund was set up by local fisher- former district organising secretary The whole country, indeed the whole men. Mr David Robinson of Cambridge (SW), who had been at Mousehole world, shared in the sorrow of the be- generously promised to provide the en- since very early on the morning after reaved families, of the Cornish village tire cost of a new lifeboat to replace the disaster, was asked to plan and of Mousehole where the Penlee life- Solomon Browne. organise both services. boatmen lived, and of every member of Many donations were also received the Institution. Messages of admiration by the RNLI towards the continuing At Paul for her gallant crew and for their fami- cost of pensions to the dependants, to- Friday January 22, a sunny but chilly lies came from far and wide. Among the wards the support of widows of other and windy winter's day. The ancient first to arrive, early on Sunday morning, disasters, for the general funds of the church of Paul, its half-muffled bells tolling, waited to enfold the mourning December 20, were telegrams from Institution and towards the cost of a re- HRH The Duke of Kent, President of placement lifeboat. Those concerned families of the Penlee lifeboatmen in a service of remembrance and thanks- the Institution, and from the Duke of were advised that contributions re- Atholl, the Chairman. From HM The ceived for this last purpose would be giving. Lining the path from road to Queen, a Patron of the Institution, placed in a restricted fund and used church porch stood 25 lifeboatmen in came the telegram: either to help in re-establishing the Pen- RNLI jerseys forming the guard of hon- lee station or towards the cost of our. The church filled for this family 'Prince Philip and I have heard with service to the quiet singing of the choir another lifeboat for the RNLI fleet in great regret the tragic news of the loss of and then came the head of the lifeboat the Penlee lifeboat and her crew. I would due course. family and his wife, TRH The Duke of like to record our admiration for their The response was overwhelming. Kent, President of the RNLI, and the bravery and self-sacrifice. Please convey a Donations ranged from thousands of Duchess, followed during the singing of message of deepest sympathy to their pounds to small amounts of silver. the first hymn by the colour party bear- families.' Many donations were anonymous, but ing the RNLI standard. with most came a personal letter of con- from HRH The Prince of Wales: It was a time of great emotion, with dolence. Gifts came from corporate sadness and joy mingled and insepar- 'As Honorary Commodore of HM bodies and associations; they came from Coastguard, I was appalled to hear of the able, but over all there was a people of all ages and all callings. Crew tragedy which befell the Penlee lifeboat tremendous surge of pride in the mem- members from other stations collected and hope that you can convey my very ory of eight brave men from the small among themselves and where they or deepest sympathy to the families of those village of Mousehole. members of branches and guilds who so gallantly lost their lives.' The Duke of Kent read from the approached the general public they and from the Prime Minister, Mrs Mar- Epistle to the Romans 'If God be for us were given most wonderful support; garet Thatcher: who can be against us?', and then there was no need to ask for contribu- Mousehole Male Voice Choir sang with '// was with deep sorrow that I heard the tions—the difficulty was in coping with news of this dreadful tragedy which has rare beauty and feeling 'Sunset and the response. Collections were made befallen the brave and selfless men of the evening star and one clear call for me'. through newspapers and in pubs; the Penlee lifeboat. I send my heartfelt sym- Clive Gunnell, who had featured elderly sacrificed their Christmas pen- pathy to the families who have suffered Penlee lifeboat and her crew in his sion bonuses; children thought up all this terrible loss, in this of a/I weeks of the 'Walking Westward' television series, year. I also express my great admiration manners of ways of helping—carol sing- gave the address; in being asked to do for the wonderful spirit of all those who ing, giving up Christmas presents, one so, he said, he had been afforded the serve with the Royal National Lifeboat boy even sent all his paper round greatest honour in his life. A fine and Institution.' Christmas boxes. A number of special sensitive address contained: Messages came from TRH The fund-raising events were quickly Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, arranged, including a concert given by 'What can I talk about? I can talk about from Government departments con- six Cornish Male Voice Choirs together the spirit of the men of Penlee, the spirit of all communities whose livings are made in cerned with the sea at home and with St Ives Youth Band at Truro an element of uncertainty and danger. In abroad, from all those organisations Cathedral, where, a few days later, a which the called "Cheerio!" from the with which the RNLI co-operates in the service was to be held in memory of the front door in the morning could be the work of marine search and rescue, from lifeboatmen who gave their lives. The final cheerio of that life.' members of the Committee of Manage- Dean of Belfast, Venerable Samuel B. He concluded: ment and from RNLI lifeboat crews, Crooks, was in the middle of his seventh stations and financial branches and Christmas vigil for charity on the steps 'Let us remember the spirit of these men and do nothing that will let them down. In guilds, from lifeboat organisations all outside Belfast Cathedral when the that way we will all build such a memorial round the world, from seafarers' asso- Penlee disaster occurred; he announced that will not only last our lifetime, but that ciations, from yachting associations, that amounts over and above his target we can hand on to future generations who from shipping lines, shipbuilders, town of £15,000 for other charities would go will need that spirit even more than we do councils and from many other associa- to the RNLI and he subsequently for- ourselves.' 41 The service was conducted by the Rev- bers of the Committee of Management, lee searched me about myself. Could 1 erend Hugh Cadman, vicar of Paul and the director, Rear Admiral W. J. Gra- match their courage? was the question I chaplain for Penlee lifeboat station; tell- ham, and senior officers of the RNLI. asked of mvse/f and of you . . . Christian ing his congregation that the service was Also in the congregation were other preacher, as I hope I am, I serve you ill if I for those men of Solomon Browne who members of Parliament, representatives do not declare finally that Penlee points all of us to God.' gave their lives in the hope that others of HM Coastguard, the Royal Navy and might live, he also remembered those of Royal Air Force, County and District Everyone knew the risks of the life- Union Star who died with them on that Councils, the Police and St John's boat precisely, said the Bishop . . . fateful night. The Reverend Cadman Ambulance, as well as the Penlee disas- 'Perhaps you know of the widow who was supported by the Reverend Tom ter fund trustees. said to me the morning after the tragedy: Vidamour, Methodist Minister of the Crew members from 11 lifeboats 'My husband warned me three weeks ago chapels in Mousehole, and by Superin- joined them, and the congregation was that this might happen, and that if it did I tendent Desmond Cole of the Royal largely composed of representatives of was not to make a fuss because he knew National Mission to Deep Sea Fisher- lifeboat stations, branches and guilds the risks". This is the very stuff of the men Ship Institute of Newlyn. from all over the country who had come RNLI. There is no need for us to describe The service was relayed to a marquee together to support the relatives of the to each other the magnificent courage and on the adjoining car park where lost crew. self-discipline which marks a/I its sea going members.' gathered some 250 local people, the Even before the service began, the committees of Penlee branch and ladies' assembly of such a large body of the He recalled the well-known descrip- guild and many others. lifeboat community in these islands was tion of a lifeboat given many years ago Afterwards, in the privacy of the a moving experience in itself and the by Sir Winston Churchill: vicarage. The Duke and Duchess of Band of HM Royal Marines, Commando 'It drives on with a mercy which does Kent met the bereaved families, and Forces, in the south transept, played not quail in the presence of death. It drives later they met members of the Penlee 'Nimrod' as a solemn prelude. on as a proof, a symbol, a testimony, that crew, station branch committee and As the opening hymn, 'Love Divine, man is created in the image of God and guild and RNLI officials in the King's all loves excelling', was sung the stan- that valour and virtue have not perished in Arms Inn. Just before leaving, the dard of the RNLI was presented at the the British race.' Duchess gave her own personal gift: a High Altar by three lifeboatmen of Pen- The Lord Bishop spoke of the silver engraved cross and chain for each lee to the Archdeacon of Cornwall, The anguish resulting from the arbitrary des- widow or mother.—J.P. Venerable A. Wood. Following the truction of lives by the inexorable ener- Twenty-third Psalm, the lesson, taken gies of the Universe. We did not know Ai Truro from the Revelation of St John the why God allows it, he continued, but The Cathedral Church of St Mary, in Divine, 'And I saw a new heaven and a we did know that He sends the life- Truro, was filled with more than 1,300 new earth ..." was read in the strong boat—many, many different kinds of people on Monday February 15 for a Cornish voice of Coxswain Maurice lifeboat, because He is much more fully memorial service in commemoration of Hutchens of Sennen Cove lifeboat sta- revealed in the rescue operations which the crew of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon tion, Penlee's nearest neighbour. surround human tragedy than in the Browne and those they sought to save The Lord Bishop of Truro, in begin- tragedies themselves. on December 19, 1981. The service was ning his address, confessed that he had After prayers by The Reverend Ian arranged by the RNLI and led by the only recently come to Cornwall but he Haile, Chairman of the Cornwall Lord Bishop of Truro, The Right went on to say that when he visited the Methodist District, and The Very Rev- Reverend Peter Mumford. shores of Mount's Bay on that terrible erend Canon Michael Walsh, the Ro- The Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret morning in December he learnt more in man Catholic Dean of Cornwall, the Thatcher, and her husband Denis, a day about Cornwall and its people Penlee lifeboatmen processed back attended in response to a request from than he might otherwise have dis- down the chancel with the RNLI stan- Mousehole, and they were accompa- covered in many months, even years: dard. They then turned to lower their nied by John Nott, Defence Secretary standard before the Cross of Christ and Member of Parliament for the St 'It taught me something of the marvel- while Royal Marine buglers, high up in Ives Division. lous solidarity of the people round our the north transept gallery and accompa- coast, and indeed inland, who for centur- The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, ies have been dependent on the sea and on nied by the Royal Marine Band, sound- the Viscount Falmouth, and the High each other. Because it struck a chord of ed the haunting notes of the Sunset Sheriff, Major E. W. M. Magor, were generosity in so many hearts, it showed me Ceremony. It was a mark of respect to present together with the Duke of what compassion is here, quickly, spon- Our Lord and it was also a mark of re- Atholl, Chairman of the RNLI, mem- taneously brought to the surface. But Pen- spect to the eight crew of Solomon Browne—nine men who had all made the supreme sacrifice. The clear call of the bugles died away, the Lord Bishop pronounced the Blessing and the congregation turned to the west door to the accompaniment of Bach's Prelude and Fugue in E Minor played on the Cathedral organ by John Winter. After the service, and before return- Sunset Ceremony, ing to London. Mrs Thatcher met the Truro Cathedral: while families and immediate relatives of the Royal Marine buglers, crew of Solomon Browne in the Chapter accompanied by the House. Outside in the Cornish sunshine Band of HM Royal of a brilliant day, the members of the Marines, Commando congregation, as they made their way Forces, sounded evening down the steps past the file of young colours, Penlee lifeboat- men lowered the RNLI members of the new Penlee crew, must standard before the have felt not only a sense of remem- Cross of Christ. brance but of a looking forward to a photograph by courtesy future worthy of the sacrifice in the of Camera Craft past.—J.c. 42 near gale, force 7. The sea was rough with the yawing of the trawler due to with a low north-westerly swell and visi- her damaged steering gear, the lifeboat bility was reduced to poor in the heavy was having considerable difficulty in rain squalls. At this time the radar making any headway at all. failed and from then on navigation was Realising that the situation was be- entirely by Decca Navigator. coming serious, and as the casualty's Campbeltown lifeboat arrived off crew were unwilling to abandon ship. Rathlin at 0925 to find the trawler Coxswain Gilchrist asked Ceol Mor to aground forward, heading south west, put about and return to help. with her stern still afloat in about 12 feet After towing Erlo Hills about a mile of water. The wind was now gusting to offshore Coxswain Gilchrist ordered the strong gale, force 9. Although the sea towline to be slipped because the was rough, it was not too bad close to casualty was no longer in immediate the trawler because of the lee provided danger and the risk of the lifeboat cap- by the reef on which she was aground. sizing due to the effect of the tow was Scotland South Division Ceol Mor was standing by and at her too great. At about this time Campbel- request the lifeboat passed a towline to town lifeboat's Y class inflatable dinghy Fourteen rescued the casualty so that an attempt could be was dislodged by a particularly heavy made to refloat her on the rising tide. sea, but she was quickly re-secured by A TRAWLER, Erlo Hills, ashore north First, however. Captain S. Hamilton Crew Members John Stewart and west of the Mull of Kintyre, Argyll- Nixon, master of Ceol Mor, asked the Arthur Gillies. shire, was reported by Clyde Coast- lifeboat to take a line from the coaster's Coel Mor arrived back on scene at guard to the honorary secretary of port bow to hold her head up into the 1300 and asked the lifeboat to go in and Campbeltown lifeboat station at 0655 on weather while she was towing the traw- pick up a tow line from the casualty. Friday October 2, 1981. Maroons were ler off, because Ceol Mor was low The trawler's skipper, however, had fired at 0700 and six minutes later powered and she was also light ship. been making radio link calls to Spain Campbeltown's 52ft Arun lifeboat Wal- After one line had been passed but and the South of England, and refused ter and Margaret Couper slipped from had parted under the strain, a second to pass a tow. her pontoon berth under the command line was passed successfully. It was The radio link calls continued and at of Coxswain/Mechanic Alexander Gil- found, however, that the lifeboat did 1442, Captain Nixon decided that Ceol christ. not have enough power to keep the Mor would have to make for Campbel- Once clear of Campbeltown Loch a coaster's head up into the weather. At town because her fuel was running very series of southerly courses were set to- about 1040 Captain Nixon decided to low. The honorary secretary of Portrush wards the Mull of Kintyre. At this time slip the line from the lifeboat and also lifeboat station was alerted again, and there was a fresh breeze, force 5, blow- slacken the towline to the trawler. the 52ft Arun Richard Evans < Civil Ser- ing from the north with a moderate sea. Then, displaying considerable ship- vice No. 39) slipped her moorings Visibility was good except in intermit- handling ability in the strong gale force and set out under the command of Cox- tent rain showers. The tide was four winds and rough seas, he steamed swain James Stewart to take over from hours ebb running south at about half a round in a circle over the towline to get Campbeltown lifeboat, still standing by knot. back up to windward of the casualty. the drifting trawler. During the passage south an During this manoeuvre Ceol Mor pas- At 1510 the skipper of Erlo Hills re- amended position for the casualty was sed within feet of the reef on which the ported that his owners had instructed received from Clyde Coastguard. Erlo trawler was aground. him to obey all instructions from the Hills was then thought to be on Pater- At about 1100 Erlo Hills was success- lifeboat. Once again Coxswain Gilchrist son's Rock or the Boiler Reef, both in fully refloated and towed offshore to asked that Ceol Mor return to take the the vicinity of Sanda Island. At 0757 the north east for almost a mile. By casualty in tow. Captain Nixon agreed, Coxswain Gilchrist reported that both 1130 the trawler's skipper had com- but said he could only tow the casualty positions had been thoroughly searched pleted an inspection of his vessel and round into the lee of Church Bay on the and that there was no sign of the trawler confirmed he had power, so it was south side of Rathlin because of the in that area. agreed that Ceol Mor should slip the state of his bunkers. Shortly afterwards, at 0807, Clyde tow and continue her passage to Cairn- By about 1530 the wind had increased Coastguard reported that the correct ryan; the lifeboat would escort the traw- to storm force 10 with very rough con- position of Erlo Hills was off the east ler to Campbeltown for repairs. fused seas estimated to be 25 feet high. coast of Rathlin Island, Co Antrim, The wind was still northerly force 9 Erlo Hills was on the edge of Macdon- Northern Ireland. A British coaster, with short, steep breaking seas thrown nell Race which runs off Altacarry Ceol Mor, had reported seeing the up by the strong tidal eddies of the area. Head, with the wind over tide. Cox- trawler while passing through Rathlin Shortly after Ceol Mor had departed swain Gilchrist manoeuvred the lifeboat Sound on passage from Rathmullan, in it became apparent that all was not well across the bows of the trawler and the the Republic of Ireland, to Cairnryan. aboard Erlo Hills', once underway she Spanish crew passed the towline. This Ceol Mor was asked to investigate and started going round in circles, her steer- was then taken to the coaster and trans- stand by until the lifeboat arrived. ing gear jammed, and as the lifeboat ferred under extremely difficult condi- Clyde Coastguard now handed over approached to investigate the trawler's tions. The two vessels were only feet communications to Belfast Coastguard, main engine broke down. Wind and tide apart and the coaster's stern was. at who were able to confirm that Erlo immediately started to set the casualty times, high above the lifeboat with her Hills, 120ft LOA, was nearly two miles back towards the shore. The skipper re- propeller thrashing out of the water. south of Altacarry Head on the east fused Coxswain Gilchrist's offer to take Several waves broke across the after coast of Rathlin. She had a crew of 14, off the crew, so it was agreed that the deck of the lifeboat engulfing the crew all of whom but the skipper were Span- lifeboat should try to tow the trawler as they passed the line to the coaster. ish. Portriish lifeboat had been asked to back into deeper water. Unfortunately once the tow was se- launch, but the request had been can- On the second attempt, with the cured the line parted and the whole ceiled by Belfast Coastguard as Camp- casualty only 200 yards from the shore, manoeuvre had to be repeated. Once beltown lifeboat was already at sea and a towline was passed and secured and at again the towline parted. As it was now now heading for Rathlin. 1220 the lifeboat started to tow the thought to be too dangerous to try to By the time Campbeltown lifeboat trawler out to sea. Both vessels were pass the towline this way, several had cleared the lee of the Mull, at 0850, constantly being struck by large break- attempts were made to pass it by rocket the northerly wind had increased to ing beam seas up to 15 feet high, and. line. Each time, the towline parted. By 43 September 19 and 20, 1981: Thirty-one lifeboats launched on service, some of them more than once, during this weekend of gales, when 28 lives were rescued and five boats saved. The ser- vices are listed opposite and three of them, for which awards were made, are reported in these pages. The following notes on the weather system of these two days were kindly prepared for THE LIFEBOAT by Mr B. Laird of South- ampton Weather Centre:

After the first ten days September 1981 be- came very unsettled with rain and strong winds crossing the British Isles on many days. On the night of September 17/18 a small de- pression was first identified over the Western Chart for 1200 GMT, Saturday September 19. Chart for 1200 GMT, Sunday September 20. Atlantic near St Johns in Newfound/and. This new low, called low Y on our charts, moved Rain reached Cornwall in the early after- By dusk on Saturday the low, now with a rapidly eastwards in the strong westerly flow noon on Saturday September 19 and extended central pressure of 972 mbs, was in St on the southern flank of a large depression rapidly north-eastwards to reach all parts of George's Channel and by midnight it was which was almost stationary to the south of the country with the exception of north-east some 4 mbs deeper close to the Isle of Man. Iceland. Low \ moved some 1,200 miles in Scotland by midnight. Most of the rain was The low achieved its lowest pressure of the next 24 hours with central pressure falling heavy and driven by gale or severe gale force 964 mbs over the Moray Firth at dawn on from 1018 mbs to 1002 mbs. Twenty-four winds which left a trail of damage across the Sunday and was still encircled by extremely hours further development brought the rapid- land. The main marquee at Southampton strong winds. The low moved northwards and ly deepening low Y to a position some 300 Boat Show was blown down in the early even- started to fill later on Sitndav as it passed miles west of Land's End, central pressure ing and about that time a maximum gust of between Orknev and Shetland. By Monday 980 mbs by midday on Saturday September 52 knots was recorded by the anemograph at gales were confined to the Northern Isles. The 19. Pressure falls ahead of the low exceeded Calshot on Southampton Water. At Prestatyn low, having spent most of its energy, was then 3 mbs per hour as it moved north-eastwards in North Wales a block of 12 holiday chalets slow moving to the north of Shetland, with a during the evening and night. was wrecked by the very strong winds. central pressure of 974 mbs.

about 1710 Ceol Mor was so low on fuel Campbeltown lifeboat made her return station at 2027 on Saturday September that she could remain no longer and she passage to station at reduced speed, 19, 1981; the coaster was heeled over set out for Campbeltown leaving the with the boat frequently being laid over and there were 11 men on board. lifeboat standing by. by the heavy breaking beam seas. Visi- Maroons were fired at 2035 and ten Once the coaster had departed the bility throughout was less than three minutes later Sennen's 37ft 6in Rother skipper of Erlo Hills told the lifeboat miles, but a good landfall was made us- lifeboat Diana While launched on ser- that his crew were ready to abandon ing the Decca Navigator. She arrived at vice under the command of Coxswain/ ship. On Coxswain Gilchrist's instruc- station at 2030, where the survivors Mechanic Maurice Hutchens. A period tions, they mustered on the starboard .were landed and provided with accom- of prolonged heavy rain had ended side of the casualty while his own crew modation for the night. After refuelling within the past hour, leaving in its wake took up their position along the star- the lifeboat was back on her moorings, heavy squalls carried along by the gale board side of the lifeboat attaching their ready for service, at 2130. to strong gale, force 8 to 9, blowing lifelines so that they would have both The trawler, Erlo Hills, eventually from west south west. It was a moonlit hands free. Then, with the lifeboat's came out of the tide race and was blown night, however, and between the squalls shoulder heavily fendered, the coxswain ashore at Farganlack Point. visibility was good. The seas and the made his first approach. For this service the silver medal was swell were heavy and it was one hour As she was set north along the east awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Alex- before high water, three days after coast of Rathlin Erlo Hills had been car- ander Gilchrist and the thanks of the spring tides. ried into the Macdonnell tide race. With Institution inscribed on vellum were When the wind is from the south the northerly storm over a spring ebb accorded to Second Coxswain Robert west, Sennen Cove lifeboat slipway is tide the breaking waves were up to 30 Scally, Assistant Mechanic Samuel B. given a little protection by a short pier, feet high at times. Brodie, Second Assistant Mechanic but at the time of launching each swell With great skill and determination Lawrence Ferguson and Crew Members was being thrown skywards as it hit the Coxswain Gilchrist drove the lifeboat's John D. Stewart and Arthur Gillies. pier and passed over it. Some of this starboard shoulder alongside the waist The thanks of the Institution inscribed water was carried by the wind to fall as of the heavily-rolling trawler and his on vellum were also accorded to Cap- very heavy spray. Once launched, the crew managed to pluck one of the Span- tain S. Hamilton Nixon, owner/master lifeboat's first leg, parallel to the beach, ish crew off as the foredeck came level of the British coaster Ceol Mor, and vel- was down wind, but severe motion was with the trawler's bulwark. Five times lum certificates were presented to mem- experienced as the boat turned to port more Coxswain Gilchrist manoeuvred bers of his crew, Captain George A. and steamed at full speed across the alongside and, under the direction of Hamilton, Nigel A. K. MacKenzie and wind making her seaward course down Second Coxswain Robert Scally, the Lewis A. MacLellan. the leading marks. trawler's crew were pulled aboard the After rounding Cowloe Rocks, a lifeboat in twos and threes. All 14 were south-westerly course was set and as safely aboard by 1730 and Erlo Hills South West Division soon as Land's End was cleared Tungu- was abondoned 1'/: miles north of foss could be seen. Her lights were still Altachuile Bay. It was just after this Coaster founders on and two other vessels, the coaster that Portrush lifeboat arrived after a Kilkenny and the Norwegian tanker very rough passage and search; as all AN ICELANDIC COASTER, Tungufoss, in Fiordshell, were standing by. the trawlermen had been taken off, she distress four miles south of Longships The Sea King helicopter scrambled set course for station, and she was back Lighthouse, was reported by Land's from RNAS Culdrose arrived over the on her moorings at 2045. End Coastguard to the deputy launch- casualty at 2117 and, flying at 100 feet With all the survivors safelv below, ing authority of Sennen Cove lifeboat with the wind averaging 55 to 60 knots

44 Lifeboat services between 0030 on Saturday September 19 and 1810 on Sunday September 20, 1981

Date and Hours time of STATION TYPE OF LIFEBOAT CASUALTY at Lives People Vessels Vessels Services rendered service sea rescued landed saved helped

19.9.1981 0030 Great Yarmouth 44ft Waveney Motor cruiser Albert Edward 4.50 — — — 1 Gave help and Gorleston 0203 Cullcrcoats D class inflatable Woman in sea 0.25 — — — — No service 0213 Shorcham Harbour D class inflatable Swimmer 0.35 1 — — — Rescued 1 0709 Walmcr 37ft 6in Rothcr Cargo vessel Sanaa of of Saudi Arabia 4.65 — — — 1 Gave help 1(X)5 Sheerncss 44ft Waveney Cabin cruiser Danellan 2.50 — — — 1 Gave help 1450 Holyhcad 52ft Barnctt Sick man on board yacht Simark 1 .90 — — — 1 Gave help 1500 Barrow D class inflatable Motorboat 0.50 — — — 1 Gave help 1555 Swanage 37ft 6in Rother Motor fishing vessel Outlaw 2.90 1 — — — Rescued 1 1610 Hayling Island Atlantic 21 Two sailboards \ 2 — 2 — Rescued 2 and saved 2 sailboards Yacht — — — 1 Gave help Boy on breakwater 1 — — — Rescued 1 Cabin cruiser > 3.66 — — — 1 Escorted boat Yacht 4 — — — Rescued 4 Catamaran 1 — — — Rescued 1 Trimaran — 3 — — Landed 3 1625 Fowey 46ft Watson Yacht Anna Purna 2.85 — — — 1 Escorted boats 1627 Portsmouth Atlantic 21 Sailboards -,90 — — — — No service (Lungstone Harbour) Two youths 1 — — — — Stood bv 1635 Calshot 40ft Keith Nelson Sailing dinghy 0.50 _ _ _ i Gave help 1730 Calshot 40ft Keith Nelson Sailing dinghy in tow of ** rubber dinghy- — — — 2 Escorted boat Trimaran Brittany > 3.66 Ferries GB — — — 1 Gave help Rowing boat > — — — — No service 1730 Poole Dell Quay Dory Motorboat 1.50 — — — 1 Gave help 1740 Littlehampton Atlantic 21 Sailing dinghy > — 4 — — Landed 4 Trimaran Lara of > 2.00 Bosham _, — — — 1 Escorted vessel 1849 Southend-on-Sea Atlantic 21 Motor fishing vessel 2.10 — — — 1 Gave help 1942 Bembridge 48ft 6in Solent Flare 2.75 — — — — No service 1955 Yarmouth (loW) 52ft Arun Yacht King of Hearts , ,j,j — — — 1 Escorted boat Yacht Turtle Bogle 1 — — — 1 Gave help 2(X)2 Lizard/Cadgwith 52ft Barnett Catamaran Iroise of France 5.05 — — — — No service 2110 Poole 44ft Waveney Flare 1.66 — — — — No service 2045 Sennen Cove 37ft 6in Rothcr Cargo vessel Tungufoss of Iceland 3.10 7 — — — Rescued 7 2330 Fraserburgh 48ft 6in Solent Yacht Catherine of Fraserburgh 4.00 — — — — No service 20.9.1981 0105 West Mersca Atlantic 21 Rubber dinghy 1.25 - — — — — No service 0330 Selsey 48ft 6in Oaklcv Yacht Joint Venture 4.85 2 — 1 — Rescued 2 and saved boat 0333 Holyhcad 52ft Barnett Yacht Eleanor 1.66 — — — — No service 0338 Angle 46ft 9in Watson Dinghy 4.55 — — — — No service 0421 Humbcr 54ft Arun Yacht 'Sally-O-Mally 1.15 — — — 1 Escorted boat 0430 Lvtham-St Anne's D class inflatable Yacht Coral 0.50 4 — — — Rescued 4 0435 Troon 44ft Wavency Two yachts 0.45 — — — — No service 0600 Fraserburgh 48ft 6in Solent Yacht Catherine of Fraserburgh 6.00 — — 1 — Saved boat 1030 Penarth D class inflatable Sailing dinghy 1.00 2 — — — Rescued 2 1126 Tenby D class inflatable Swimmer 1.15 — — — — No service 1 135 Barry Dock 52ft Arun Yacht Kes 1.35 3 — I — Rescued 3 and saved boat 1359 Llandudno 37ft Oakley Sailing dinghv 0.75 — — — — No service 1455 Troon 44ft Waveney Yacht Julene 0.55 — — — — No service 1705 Holvhcad D class inflatable Sailboard 0.15 — — — — No service 1722 Conwy D class inflatable Flares 0.30 — — — — No service 1745 Southend-on-Sea D class inflatable Dinghv 0.25 — — — — No service 83.19 28 7 5 18 but gusting to 70 knots, she started the round her bows and back down her port coming in from a different angle and difficult and hazardous task of trying to side. Two liferafts were seen lashed keeping the lifeboat's bows to the wind lift off the crew from the coaster's stern. together with one made fast to the and sea. Coxswain Hutchens succeeded Although the helicopter's winchman casualty's stern; they were lying to star- in making a satisfactory approach and was injured while bringing up his first board across the wind and sea. While he let the waiting crew aboard Tungu- survivor, two more men were picked up manoeuvring to approach these liferafts foss know that he was ready to take by flying the strop into the hands of the the stern of the lifeboat was over- them off. men waiting on the casualty. whelmed by a wave which washed The crew were assembled in the out- When the lifeboat arrived, at 2139, through her cockpit, putting the radar side alleyway on the starboard quarter. she found Tungufoss, whose cargo of out of action. A man jumped into the first liferaft. His maize had shifted, heeled some 45 de- Coxswain Hutchens' first attempts to companions slackened the painter of grees to port and lying on a north- approach the liferafts were unsuccessful the rafts to allow them to ride clear of easterly heading. Coxswain Hutchens and each time he had to go astern to the stern. The lifeboat came in and took his lifeboat round the coaster to prevent the lifeboat being carried snatched the man from the rafts. The assess the situation, first going to lee- dangerously close to the coaster's star- rafts were then pulled back to the coast- ward along her starboard side, then board quarter and propeller. Then. er's stern. In this way three men were

45 successfully taken aboard the lifeboat, but the liferafts were full of water and, with fewer men to help each time, the task of heaving them back to the stern became increasingly difficult. Two men tried to leap into trie rafts, missed their footing and fell into the sea. The lights of the casualty herself had just gone out Home from the sea: a wel- but, aided by the lights of the helicop- come through the airport window for Ha/lur Helgason, ter. Coxswain Hutchens was able to third engineer of the Icelandic drop down wind and retrieve both men coaster Tungufoss, from his from the water. wife and his little son Halli. There were still three men on Tungu- Hallur Helgason was one of foss, which had now taken a list of 60 the crew of 11 rescued by Sen- degrees. Coxswain Hutchens brought nen Cove lifeboat and by RN the lifeboat close in to the transom of helicopter from Tungufoss the casualty using great skill in avoiding before she foundered in the the rudder as the lifeboat rose and fell severe gales of the night of September 19. 20 feet on the seas. One of the men slid photograph by courtesy of down from the starboard alleyway, Ljosmynd Mbl.RAX where he had been standing on the cas- ing, and jumped on to the foredeck of of the coaster came down to the life- in the bad weather. Following a 999 the lifeboat to be received by her crew. boathouse the next day to thank the telephone call to Solent Coastguard A second man was taken off in the same coxswain and crew personally and a reporting red flares in Hayling Bay, manner as the lifeboat made another telegram of thanks to all who had taken the station's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable run in to the coaster's transom. All part in the rescue was received from the lifeboat was first launched at 1610 together the lifeboat had made about 20 Iceland Steamship Company. In a letter manned by Helmsman Frank Dunster approaches to the casualty as she heeled to the RNLI, Mr G. Fridriksson, direc- and Crew Members Roderick James over further and further. tor of the National Lifesaving Associa- and Graham Raines. An exhausted By now the coaster was almost on her tion of Iceland, wrote: windsurfer together with his sailboard beam ends and as Coxswain Hutchens 'The whole Icelandic people is full of was picked up and landed at Hayling started his final approach the last man admiration for the heroic and daring res- Island Sailing Club at 1630. aboard, the master, climbed clear of the cue action by which the lives of the Tungu- Just at that time Solent Coastguard superstructure. It looked as though the foss crew were so miraculously saved, and received another 999 call. The Atlantic vessel was about to founder and the Sea we are all deeplv grateful to the helicopter 21 was re-directed up Emsworth Chan- King helicopter, moving in ahead of the and lifeboat crews who, at the risk of their nel to Marker Point where a second lifeboat, flew her lifting strop within own lives, participated in the operation. exhausted windsurfer was found and 'On behalf of the Icelandic National reach of the waiting master; he man- Lifesaving Association I would like YOU to pulled aboard the lifeboat together with aged to grab it and was lifted clear as convey our deepfelt thanks to all those his sailboard. the sea started to engulf him. who made the rescue possible.' While on the way north to Marker It was now confirmed that all 11 men Point, at 1650, the Atlantic 21 was told For this service the silver medal for by the Coastguard of another 999 call who had been aboard Tungufoss were gallantry was awarded to Coxswain/ safe and at 2303 the lifeboat began her reporting a capsized dinghy at Hayling Mechanic Maurice Hutchens and medal return passage to Sennen Cove. Island Bridge. She headed on up chan- service certificates were presented to Although Longships Lighthouse and nel but on arrival her crew saw that the Second Coxswain John Fender and the lights of Land's End Hotel were dinghy had been landed ashore by Crew Members Cedric V. Johnson, both visible. Coxswain Hutchens set a Langstone Sailing Club's rescue boat. Timothy M. George, Derek Angove, course east north east to sight the loom The Atlantic 21 was returning down Phillip C. Shannon and Terence W. Emsworth Channel, intending to land of the land and to avoid the greatest Greene. A letter signed by Rear Admir- effects of the tide. While heading in the windsurfer still on board, when just al W. J. Graham, director of the Institu- through the quartering sea a check was south of Marker Point, with the wind tion, and addressed to Captain R. C. made to make sure that none of the sur- increasing to strong gale, force 9, an Dimmock, the commanding officer of vivors needed first aid; with their chief 18ft yacht was seen being blown on to a the Royal Naval Air Station. Culdrose, officer translating, it was found that all lee shore on the saltings north of Verner expressed the RNLI's appreciation to was well. Beacon. The lifeboat closed the yacht the helicopter pilot and his crew. (See Having established his position from and passed a towline at 1719. also page 39.) the land, Coxswain Hutchens shaped A minute later, the Atlantic 21 crew his course to the north and, despite very heard on the VHP radio that Solent long following seas experienced in the Coastguard had received another 999 gap between Longships and Land's South East Division call reporting someone clinging to a End, he made a good passage arriving breakwater off Sandy Point. Helmsman on the slipway at 2315. After refuelling An afternoon's work Dunster immediately ordered the tow- and an inspection of the slight damage line to be slipped and told the yacht to incurred, the lifeboat was once again A SOUTH-EASTERLY NEAR GALE, force 7. anchor until the lifeboat could return. ready for service at 0015 on Sunday deteriorating to gale force 8 with heavy By 1722 the Atlantic 21 was heading at September 20. rain squalls was blowing at Hayling Is- full speed in the rough sea and driving Tungufoss was reported later to have land during the afternoon of Saturday rain towards Sandy Point. The rescued sunk 2'/2 miles south of Gwennap Head. September 19, 1981. The tide was windsurfer was still aboard as there was Both the high degree of co-ordination ebbing so that with wind against tide the no time to land him. between the helicopter and the lifeboat seas were rough at Chichester Bar, The Sandy Point area was reached by crews and also the fine discipline shown in the main fairway close to Sandy Point 1725, but on a first search no one could by those who were rescued contributed and up Emsworth Channel. be found. Then Shore Helper Trevor to the successful completion of this op- The honorary secretary of Hayling Pearce, who is also an auxiliary coast- eration, despite the severe conditions, Island lifeboat station and members of guard, called up on VHP radio to say that in the limited time available. The mas- the crew had gathered at the boathouse, he could see someone on a groyne on ter, chief officer and some of the crew ready should the lifeboat be needed the south shore almost opposite the 46 Golden Nugget Cafe and he asked for the surf line ready to come in close action, however, the crew saw another immediate help. Helmsman Dunster alongside the post. The Atlantic 21 was brave attempt being made to rescue the took the Atlantic 21 past Eaststoke caught by an incoming wave; she boy from the shore. Shore Helper Nigel Beacon at full speed and, to save time, broached to and both engines failed. Roper, wearing a dry suit and with a rounded Eaststoke Point directly across The two outboards were restarted in rope around his waist tended by people West Pole Sands. During this crossing gear at the first push of the starter but- on the sea wall, entered the water, but through very rough, confused seas and tons. Immediately the engines had been he could make no headway against the driving rain, several people ashore saw restarted a second large incoming wave sea; caught by incoming rolling surf, he the lifeboat come near vertical and at hit the lifeboat, turning her broadside was flung, fortunately without serious times she was totally obscured from on and rolling her on to her sponson. injury, against the sea wall. view by sea and spray. The same wave thrown back from the Helmsman Dunster then brought the At 1728 the lifeboat had safely cros- sea wall and now travelling out to sea Atlantic 21 as close as he could to the sed West Pole Sands and, through the caught the Atlantic for a second time figure clinging to the post and Crew spray and driving rain, her crew saw a and again rolled her on to her sponson. Member James entered the water and teenage boy some 20 yards out from the Taking the boat clear, Helmsman began a slow but firm swim of some 30 sea wall with his arms and legs entwined Dunster tried a stern-first approach, but feet to the boy. When about 10 feet around one of the posts on a groyne. the backwash of waves from the sea wall from the post Roderick James saw the The very rough seas, confused by the prevented him from bringing the life- boy let go and disappear beneath the reflection of the waves off the sea wall, boat near the boy. Another attempt waves. He stopped swimming im- were breaking over the youth; he was in bow first also failed and the Atlantic 21 mediately to concentrate on searching fact covered by waves more often than was picked up by a curling wave and for a glimpse of the boy and several he was visible. flung over, but clear of, the groyne. seconds later saw his head bob up six or Shore Helper Pearce had tied a rope An approach was then made on the seven feet away. Roderick James struck around his waist and, with Shore Helper west side of the groyne but for a second out and quickly reached the inert body, Bill Langford tending the rope, had time both engines stalled; they were im- grabbed the youth, turned him on to his tried valiantly to reach the terrified boy mediately restarted, in gear astern, back in the lifesaving towing position from ashore, but he could not get close quickly enough to prevent the lifeboat and started to swim to the shore. After enough through the breaking seas. being hurled into the sea wall. While one or two more strokes both Roderick Helmsman Dunster brought the trying to gain sea room a large wave James and the boy were picked up by a Atlantic 21 close in on the east side of broke right over the Atlantic. large wave and landed ashore on the the groyne, turning hard to port just in Once out to sea and clear of the surf concrete works joining the sea wall to 1 the three lifeboatmen discussed the the breakwater. The lifeboatman recalls - (• . ... .\ - , J situation. It was clear that the Atlantic seeing an outstretched arm which he 21 could not be taken close enough to was unable to reach, but the next wave the breakwater to snatch the boy off washed him and the boy further ashore without great risk to the boy himself, where they were safely grabbed by the lifeboat and her crew, so it was Nigel Roper and Trevor Pearce. agreed that the lifeboat should be taken Roderick James managed to lift the in as close as possible and that one of youth the six feet from the beach to the the crew should try to swim to the boy. waiting arms of Shore Helper Bill Lang- Both crew members were willing to go ford on the sea wall, and Bill Langford but Helmsman Dunster asked Roderick also helped the other three men up from

• James to make the attempt. the beach. The boy, a pupil of Roderick Just before this plan could be put into James who is a schoolmaster, was found to be suffering badly from hypothermia Produced from a portion of BA Chan No and from many abrasions on his chest 3418 with the sanction of the Controller HM and arms. He was helped into the Stationery Office and the Hydrographer of the Navy. Coastguard Landrover and wrapped in blankets until an ambulance arrived to CHI C*"H ESTER HARBOUR take him to hospital. At 1745, once the boy was safe. Helmsman Dunster set off on a south- easterly course to round Chichester Bar Beacon, avoiding the worsening seas over West Pole Sands, before turning to re-enter the harbour. While on the way, five minutes later, a 30ft cabin cruiser was seen heading north west from Chichester Bar Beacon towards West Pole Sands, instead of for the harbour entrance. The lifeboat made for the cruiser at full speed, gave her a safe course and escorted her into the har- bour through the very rough following seas. Back at the lifeboat station, at 1800, Roderick James rejoined the Atlantic 21 and the windsurfer, still aboard, was landed together with his craft at Hay- ling Island Sailing Club. The lifeboat then returned to the 18ft yacht left earl- ier at anchor north of Verner Beacon. The yacht's anchor had not held and she had been blown hard aground on to a reed bank just off the main Emsworth Channel. The Atlantic 21 was brought 47 alongside but, as she was passing a tow assistance, so Swanage lifeboat was For this service the thanks of the In- line to the yacht, she too went aground. asked to launch. Maroons were fired at stitution inscribed on vellum were All three of her crew entered the water 1547 and at 1555 Swanage lifeboat, the accorded to Acting Coxswain Philip J. to pull both boats off. When in four feet 37ft 6in Rother7. Reginald Corah, laun- Dorey. Vellum service certificates were of water the crew reboarded the life- ched under the command of Second presented to Acting Second Coxswain boat, her engines were restarted and the Coxswain Philip Dorey; Coxswain/ T. Christopher Haw, Acting Motor tow began. Mechanic Victor Marsh was on leave Mechanic John Corben, Acting Assis- Six to eight foot head seas and driving but nevertheless he joined the crew as tant Mechanic Victor A. C. Marsh and rain were met off Mill Rythe and the assistant mechanic. Crew Members Terry R. Dyke, towline parted. A second line was pas- A strong breeze to near gale, force 6 Anthony C. Higgins and Neville J. sed and the tow was once again under to 7, was blowing from south south Legg. way when, at 1827, another yacht was west, with moderate seas in Swanage seen in difficulties on the nearby Pilsey Bay. Heavy rain squalls restricted visi- Sands. The yacht in tow was secured to bility and the tide was half ebb. West Division a mooring and the lifeboat made at full The lifeboat headed south south west speed for the second yacht; she had from Peveril Point at full speed until, Capsized inflatable been blown on to the sands after her abeam of Anvil Point she altered course engine had failed. Her crew were to the west. With wind against tide, THE HONORARY SECRETARY of Porthdinl- advised to lay out an anchor and that rough seas were encountered steaming laen lifeboat station was informed by HM they would then be taken off. In the through the tidal race off St Albans be- Coastguard at 1522 on Saturday April rough confused seas several attempts fore course was altered to run abeam of 25, 1981, that an inflatable dinghy had had to be made to get alongside the Kimmeridge Ledges. capsized in Porthdinllaen Bay, throwing yacht. On one approach, after grasping By 1645 Outlaw was in sight aground two people into the water. Maroons the yacht's guardrail Crew Member on the western end of the ledges, and were fired immediately and at 1542 James was tossed into the sea between VHP radio communication was estab- Porthdinllaen's lifeboat, the 47ft Wat- the two boats by the rolling action of the lished between the two boats. There son Kathleen Mary, launched on service beam sea. Before the two boats could was only one man on board Outlaw and under the command of Second Cox- roll together, however, he had been he was told to put on a lifejacket and swain Michael Massarelli. pulled back into the lifeboat by Crew prepare to take a towline. A force 8 gale was blowing from the Member Raines. The wind had now backed to south north east and the sea was very rough Once the four people from the yacht south east and increased to gale force 8, with a medium swell. It was two hours were safely on board the Atlantic 21, gusting to strong gale force 9. The sea after high water and the tide was ebbing she returned to the 18ft yacht, took her was very rough with rain and spray re- almost directly into the wind. Visibility to a safer mooring and then took off her ducing visibility to 100 yards. was fair but the weather was extremely crew. At 1845, the Atlantic 21 headed Acting Coxswain Dorey noted that cold. back for station, where she arrived at Outlaw's anchor warp was leading east- After launching, Acting Coxswain 1900 to land the six extra people on ward and holding her head to wind, but Massarelli headed for the casualty, an board. he decided to approach on a north- 8ft inflatable dinghy with a small out- Ten minutes later, after embarking westerly course along the line of the board engine. After she had capsized two additional crew members, Simon ledges, passing the casualty's port side. her anchor had run out and had finally Wilson and Albert Kirby, Hayling Is- Rounding under the stern the lifeboat caught, holding the boat, still upside land Atlantic 21 went to a catamaran approached the fishing vessel's star- down, about 120 yards off the beach. reported in trouble off Pilsey Island and board bow, but, just as the towline was One man was on top of the inflatable, took off her lone crew. Lastly, at 1930, thrown aboard, heavy confused seas clinging on; the other man was in the the lifeboat embarked three people swept Outlaw against the lifeboat's port water holding on to the boat's side. from a trimaran moored off Hayling Is- bow, causing some damage. Rather Arriving at 1547, Acting Coxswain land Sailing Club who could not reach than go forward to secure the line to a Massarelli found that, with the casualty shore because the yacht's two tenders suitable towing point, the man on board being so close to the beach and with had both capsized. All the people taken made it fast to a bulwark cleat. It was submerged rocks and a half submerged off were landed at the sailing club. obviously inadequate, so Acting Cox- 18ft dory to seaward, there was little The Atlantic 21 returned to station at swain Dorey ran the lifeboat ahead, choice of approach open to him. The 1950, was refuelled and at 2000 was calling for the tow to be let go. He seas in the area were estimated to be ten once again ready for service. stayed clear of the casualty while a se- feet high with occasional waves up to 15 For this series of services, but espe- vere squall passed before, at 1652, turn- feet, and the average depth of the water cially for the rescue of the boy from the ing shorewards to her starboard side. near the capsized dinghy was about ten groyne, the silver medal was awarded to With about 80 feet between Outlaw feet; moreover, the waves were break- Crew Member Roderick H. James and and the next ledge outcrop, Acting Cox- ing and the surf was increased by the a bar to his bronze medal to Helmsman swain Dorey turned the lifeboat head to ebbing tide. The broken seas affected Frank S. Dunster. The thanks of the In- sea and laid close against the casualty's both the lifeboat's rudder and pro- stitution inscribed on vellum were starboard bow, giving Acting Second pellers, making manoeuvring extremely accorded to Crew Member Graham A. Coxswain Christopher Haw and Crew difficult. Raines and Shore Helpers Trevor M. Member John Corben time to haul the With waves breaking over the life- Pearce and Nigel F. Roper. man inboard from the starboard shoul- boat and into her wheelhouse, Acting der. Coxswain Massarelli manoeuvred the Crew Member Corben helped the boat between the casualty and the South East Division man into a survivor's lifejacket and beach and a line was thrown to the man wrapped him in blankets as Acting Cox- on top of the inflatable dinghy; as the Dragging anchor swain Dorey headed south east, clear- man caught it he was washed off and ing the ledges. Turning east, the life- down towards the lifeboat, where he PORTLAND COASTGUARD received a call at boat passed one mile south of St Albans was quickly hauled aboard. So great 1530 on Saturday September 19, 1981, Head at 1744. Speed had to be reduced was the lifeboat's roll that at least twice from the motor fishing vessel Outlaw in very heavy seas off Durlston Head people on shore caught sight of her saying that her engine had failed and but the lifeboat returned to station at keel. Once the man was on board the she was dragging her anchor three miles 1853. The survivor was landed and the lifeboat went astern, up into the seas. west of St Albans Head. There was no lifeboat was rehoused and once again On her second approach the lifeboat other vessel in the area able to offer ready for service at 1915. was knocked away from the casualty but 48 as she approached for the third time the man still in the water, unable to hold on any longer, let go of the inflatable dinghy and was washed down to the lifeboat and pulled aboard. At 1558 the lifeboat withdrew, once again stern first, and headed for the moorings off the lifeboat slip. Through- out the service it had been necessary to keep putting the lifeboat's engines astern to hold her stern up into the seas. Waves were breaking over her con- tinuously and she had touched bottom once. The two survivors were suffering from exposure so they were lifted off the lifeboat and taken to Bangor Hos- pital by a helicopter from RAF Valley which arrived overhead after complet- ing a service in Snowdonia. As condi- tions on the slip were too bad for her to be rehoused, the lifeboat was safely moored to await an improvement in the Bridlington: On Saturday September 26, in east-south-easterly gales gusting to strong gale, force weather and, as it was too rough to use 9, and very rough seas the 37ft Oakley relief lifeboat Mary Joicey. on temporary duly at the boarding boat, her crew were even- Bridlington, escorted five trawlers safely into harbour. Under the command of Coxswain Fred tually landed by the helicopter when she Walkingion, Mary Joicey first stood by Wavcll while her parted steering chain was repaired, returned from Bangor. before escorting in first her and then St Andrew and Contester. Two hours later Mary Joicey put For this service the bronze medal was to sea again to escort in Jarvit, which was having engine trouble, and Radiant Trust. awarded to Acting Coxswain Michael photograph by courtesy of 'Hull Daily Mail' Massarelli. Medal service certificates were presented to Motor Mechanic about 30 yards from where she had been the honorary secretary of Walton and Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Assistant Mech- swept into the sea. There was not Frinton lifeboat station and the deputy anic Ivor H. Griffiths and Crew Mem- enough water for him to bring his boat launching authority of Harwich lifeboat bers James P. Bentley, Owie Roberts, alongside the girl, so stopping ten feet station just after 2200 on Friday April John I. Griffiths, Keith B. Jones and to seaward of her he removed his shoes 17, 1981. Maroons were fired immedi- Geraint Wyn Davies. and pullover, threw over a lifebelt and ately at both stations and Harwich's swam towards her. Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat Using the lifebelt for extra buoyancy, launched at 2213 manned by Helmsman South West Division Daniel was able to return with Leanne Robert Ramplin and Crew Members to the boat. Linbar Dan has a freeboard Peter Brand and Peter Dawson. Walton Saved from drowning of 2'/2 feet; nevertheless, Daniel man- and Frinton's 48ft 6in Oakley lifeboat aged to clamber over the gunwale him- The Earl and Countess Howe slipped IN THE EARLY EVENING of Saturday self and then, with great difficulty, pull her mooring at 2223 under the com- September 12, 1981, two girls, Leanne Leanne into the boat. As soon as she mand of Coxswain Frank Bloom to aged 10 and Lorna aged 8, were playing was on board Daniel started mouth to back up the Atlantic. near the water's edge at Splash Point, to mouth resuscitation. The evening was overcast but clear the east of Watchet Harbour mouth. Daniel's father had heard what was with a strong breeze to near gale, force The weather was fair with a moderate happening and, with another man, 6 to 7, blowing from the north east and breeze, force 4, blowing from the west, rowed out in another boat to help. moderate seas. It was two hours before but although the sea was slight the swell Boarding Linbar Dan he brought her high water. was moderate to heavy. It was about back into harbour. Leanne's breathing After setting out at full speed the half an hour after high water. had been revived by the time she was Atlantic had to ease down to half speed While the girls were playing a particu- landed into the care of the Coastguard. when, after clearing Landguard Point to larly heavy wave swept Leanne into the She was taken by ambulance to hospital head for Pye Sands, she met the full water. She could not swim and being and was released three days later fully force of the weather. At 2220 the unable to stay afloat, she called for recovered. pounding of the boat sheared the pin help. Lorna immediately entered the For this service Daniel Norman was holding the mast, so a screwdriver was water but althougCh she manageO d to accorded the thanks of the Institution fitted in the pin's place to keep the mast swim to Leanne her attempts to rescue inscribed on vellum and he will also in its position. A search was begun in her were unsuccessful. Realising that be presented with an inscribed wrist the Pye Sands area but at first no casu- the waves of the heavy swell were too watch. In addition the Royal Humane alty could be seen through the driven much for her, she swam ashore again to Society has awarded Daniel its testi- spray in the rough, confused seas. summon more help. monial on parchment combined with a Then, at 2225, a parachute flare was put Meanwhile several anglers, fishing resuscitation certificate. A letter of ap- up and by its light the casualty was from the west breakwater, had seen the preciation signed by Rear Admiral sighted near an old blockhouse on the plight of the girls and had beckoned to W. J. Graham, director of the Institu- shore. 14-year-old Daniel Norman who was tion, was sent to Lorna Webber. An approach was made to within 40 aboard his father's boat, Linbar Dan, yards, when the casualty could be seen inside the harbour. Daniel steered Lin- by the white water breaking over her. bar Dan, a ship's converted steel life- East Division As this area has a bottom of mud with boat, the 100 yards to the breakwater, deep rills and many ex-wartime under- where the anglers directed him to the Lee shore water obstructions. Helmsman Ramplin girl in the water. could not get alongside the casualty, in Daniel immediately headed out of the FOLLOWING THE SIGHTING of a red flare in the rough breaking seas, to check her harbour and along the east breakwater. Dovercourt Bay by the BR sea freight crew. Instead, he turned the Atlantic's He found Leanne floating face down liner. Thames Coastguard telephoned bows into the sea and allowed her to be 49 taken in by the wind and waves until she Ireland Division saw her and the lifeboat continued her just touched, when Crew Member Peter search in the area he indicated. At 1940 Brand, who had volunteered to investi- Tender capsizes the dinghy, an 8ft boat with a small out- gate, swam and waded to the casualty. board engine, was found three miles The Atlantic was held off with her EIGHT PEOPLE set out in a yacht tender north east of Glenarm Head. Three searchlight trained on Peter Brand. from Donaghadee in the early evening children and a man were transferred to The casualty, the 24ft yacht Dunkit. of Monday July 13, 1981, to return to a the lifeboat and the dinghy taken in tow was about 20ft from the shore and when motor cruiser anchored just outside the back to the station slipway. By 2030 the Crew Member Brand reached her he harbour. As the tender, which had very lifeboat was rehoused and once again found that there were two people on little freeboard, left the harbour and ready for service. board but that a third had waded ashore turned towards her parent yacht a tide For his help with this service a letter through the surf to seek help; it was not rip disturbance slopped water over one of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral known where he was now. side and with movement of the people W. J. Graham, the director of the In- As the shore at this point is formed of on board the boat was upset. stitution, was sent to John McAllister. marshes and streams. Crew Member Eric Reynolds had been watching the Brand decided that they should radio tender, and when he saw her capsize he West Division for more shore assistance. He waded raced to the bottom of his garden and out and signalled to the Atlantic 21 to set off in his 19ft dory, Puffin. Man in sea come in. Again, Helmsman Ramplin The first man he pulled aboard was put the Atlantic 21 bows to sea and let obviously in a bad way and Mr DURING THE EVENING of Tuesday July 28, her drift in but, just as Crew Member Reynolds immediately started to give 1981, Blackpool's D class inflatable life- Brand boarded, a large breaking wave him mouth to mouth resuscitation, with boat had been out on service, searching lifted the lifeboat and stalled her port brief intervals as he recovered five more for what a man on shore had reported engine as it touched bottom. She was people over the side and into his boat; might be an upturned boat out to sea. driven beam on and then ashore. one of these five was a woman who had Nothing had been found except for a Several attempts were made to re- been on board the motor cruiser and fishing boat which needed no help but launch the Atlantic lifeboat by the three who had dived overboard to help the which could have been what the man crew members but although the three people in the water. The three other ashore had sighted. together could at times hold the boat people managed to swim to the cruiser Just after the inflatable lifeboat had into the onshore seas, as soon as Helms- and climb aboard. been rehoused, at 2310, a man, fully man Ramplin boarded to re-start the In less than a quarter of an hour from clothed, was reported to be lying in the engines the weight proved too much for the time the tender had upset, Mr sea about 50 yards out. He was rescued the other two men to hold and the boat Reynolds had brought ashore the six by the lifeboatmen at the boathouse, was again driven ashore. people he had recovered, but although Crew Members P. Canham and P. Par- By 2250 Walton and Frinton's Oakley he and other Donaghadee lifeboat sta- ton, and Shore Helpers B. Pickard and lifeboat had arrived and she helped the tion members continued to give mouth A. McGeever, and taken to a waiting Atlantic's crew by illuminating the area to mouth resuscitation, the first man he ambulance. A letter signed by John with her searchlight. At 2257. after ten had pulled aboard his boat could not be Atterton, then deputy director, express- unsuccessful attempts with all three revived. An ambulance had been called ing the Institution's appreciation to crew members at times being swept off and two of the rescued were taken to these four lifeboatmen was sent to their feet, the Atlantic was launched hospital for a check up. Blackpool station honorary secretary, with Helmsman Ramplin on the con- For this service a letter of apprecia- Mr R. W. Darbyshire. trols leaving the other two crew mem- tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Gra- bers on the shore. ham, director of the Institution, was Ireland Division The Atlantic headed for the Oakley sent to D. Eric Reynolds who is a mem- lifeboat, to go alongside, but just as she ber of Donaghadee station branch Knocked head approached a large wave lifted her bows committee and had previously been a on to the lifeboat as she could not go reserve crew member at Pwllheli and A FISHERMAN was sorting fish on Court- astern with her engines not 'on lock'. At then at Donaghadee. 2303 a crew member from The Earl and macsherry Pier on the afternoon of Countess Howe went aboard the Atlan- Tuesday June 30, 1981, when he lost his tic as crew and she returned to Harwich. footing and fell into the river, hitting his She was refuelled and once again ready Ireland Division head on the sloping stone face on the for service at 2326. way down and losing consciousness. Ashore, the man who had first waded Drifting dinghy Although it was a fine, calm day a through the surf had returned and he strong tidal stream was swirling round remained at the casualty while Crew ON THE EVENING of Monday June 29, the pier. Members Brand and Dawson helped 1981, John McAllister was working at Two young men, Larry Dineen and the other two people through the Garron Point, east of Red Bay lifeboat Donal Traynor, immediately jumped marshes, being met by the police. The station, when he saw people waving in a into the water but they were unable to Earl and Countess Howe stood by until small dinghy off the point. He tele- hold the fisherman up and themselves everyone was safely ashore before re- phoned the station's deputy launching go into difficulties. turning to station. On her way she was authority at 1905 and five minutes later Second Coxswain/Mechanic Brendan diverted to investigate an object in the Red Bay's D class inflatable lifeboat Madden was on board the relief 46ft 9in water which turned out to be a floating launched on service; she was manned by Watson lifeboat William Gammon, on anchor light. She was back on her moor- Helmsman Donal McAlister and Crew temporary duty at Courtmacsherry, ings, ready for service, at 0210. Member Tom McLaughlin. There was a occupied on routine cleaning and All the people on shore were picked gentle to moderate breeze blowing from maintenance duties. He heard shouts and came on deck to see what was hap- up by car. The yacht was towed off the the north west and the sea was choppy. beach the next day. It was about two and a half hours before pening. He immediately sprang into the For this service framed letters of high water. boarding boat and rowed rapidly across thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl. On reaching the search area, no sign to find the fisherman floating face down chairman of the Institution, were pre- could be found of the casualty, so the close to the pier. Unable to pull him sented to Helmsman Robert A. Ram- lifeboat rendezvoused with Mr McAllis- right into the boat, Brendan Madden plin and Crew Members Peter E. Brand ter at Garron Point. He told the crew dragged him half over the transom and and Peter R. Dawson of Harwich. where the dinghy had been when he last continued on page 69 50 CB or VHF?

THE COASTGUARD'S VIEW

OVER THE PAST five years, HM Coastguard has been provided with a great deal of very sophisticated VHF radio equipment to cover the International distress and calling frequency and other frequencies in the marine band. This system now covers the entire coast of the United Kingdom and extends at least 30 miles out to sea - in many places considerably further. This has been made possible by installing some 80 high point aerials around our coasts, including, for exam- ple, a mountain top aerial on Snaefell in the Isle of Man. It is HM Coastguard's responsibility to Langdon Battery Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Straits of Dover: in the guard the VHF distress and calling fre- operation room continuous watch is kept on the VHF distress and calling frequency, channel 16. quency (channel 16) continuously and this guard, together with the continuous Radio discipline on the cliffs they will have two courses monitoring of the frequency by British There is also radio discipline to be of action open to them: Telecom's Coast Radio Stations, make considered. Though it is agreed that Telephone: Dial 999 and ask for the it very unlikely that a distress transmis- most CB users will accept the importance Coastguard. If a telephone is available sion from a yacht or any other vessel on of the emergency channel 9, there is no this method of communication should channel 16 within the cover as given guarantee that anyone will be listening always be the first choice. Information above will be unheard or unanswered. on this channel, except perhaps can then be given first hand to the Furthermore, a VHF direction finding REACT organisations (see below}. Be- Coastguard on duty with the minimum facility has been installed at various cause there is no official CB emergency delay. Also, the Coastguard, in turn, points on the south coast of England channel - only that agreed by CB users can ask the person who has actually and this facility is being extended to themselves - there will always be some seen the incident any questions to which other parts of our coasts. Eventually it who through ignorance or for selfish he may need answers before he can is hoped that direction finding cover will reasons will misuse it. Those who want organise the quickest and most effective conform with the entire VHF surveillance to, and this includes malicious hoaxers, rescue operation possible. cover. can misuse channel 9 knowing that the REACT: If there is no telephone only penalty is the disapprobation of available the CB user should call his Why not CB? more responsible CB users. REACT member who in turn will tele- It may be asked why VHF equipment is A large number of CB users, having phone the Coastguard, or any other needed when it is so easy to talk on bought and licensed their equipment, appropriate emergency service, using citizen band radio. CB radio is legally will, naturally, want to use it, so that the 999 system. It is most important that restricted in its transmission power out- frequencies other than channel 9 will be the CB caller should continue to listen put and so has a much shorter range cluttered up. It is not difficult to im- out on channel 9 so that the REACT than marine band VHF equipment. To agine a situation in which a CB licensee member can reach him again with any give even a quarter of the cover now who genuinely needs assistance but who questions the Coastguard needs to ask. under VHF surveillance would mean the has been unable to gain a response from This second course of action is slower provision of a formidable number of channel 9 will turn to another channel in than a direct 999 telephone call, and additional aerial and relay systems at a an attempt to shift someone to the more open to pitfalls, but for someone prohibitive cost. It would also require emergency frequency only to find he is in trouble on a remote part of the coast many more personnel to ensure con- unable to break in because these other it could be the vital link. tinuous monitoring by HM Coastguard. channels are cluttered up with those The REACT organisations are un- The marine CB user with only a limi- who themselves have had to wait im- doubtedly well motivated and within ted knowledge of the range and capabil- patiently for their turn. certain limits will be well run. The limits ity of his equipment may be enjoying a include the quality and number of false sense of security. He may think On land - REACT volunteers available to man the circuit that the mere act of transmitting an There is, however, a useful place for upon which the efficiency of the service emergency message will produce a re- citizen band radio on land because CB provided will entirely depend. It is also sponse when, in fact, it is quite possible radio enthusiasts are setting up their fair to say that REACT organisations that no one at all will have heard him. own official organisations, known as will have been orientated towards Again, it is more than likely that his CB REACT. They form a network of re- emergencies on land and may be man- transceiver will not have been 'mari- sponsible homebound volunteers who ned by those who may have no idea of nised', that is to say, modified so that it have made themselves known to their marine matters. Some REACT orga- is able to withstand for any length of local emergency services, including, HM nisations, usually in the large city areas, time the conditions of damp, salt en- Coastguard, and who monitor CB will have little difficulty in recruiting the crustation, hard usage and vibration emergency channel 9. CB users likely to right type and number of volunteers, which you get at sea, particularly in very be on remote parts of the coast should, but for others in less populated areas it small yachts and boats. So it is entirely therefore, establish a liaison with their will not be so easy. possible that when the user most needs local REACT member; then, if they to transmit, his CB radio may be useless. should sight anyone in distress at sea or continued on page 53 51 cords covering lifeboats, stations and The Lifeboat Enthusiasts' services. One such member, Grahame Farr, the society's official archivist, is a recognised authority on lifeboat history Society and as such has been able to aid the growth of the society and do much AN INTEREST SHARED to help members increase their knowledge. by John G. Francis It was mainly due to Grahame's efforts, and that of Dr and Mrs Yorke of Formby, that we now know the first A LESSER KNOWN BRANCH of the RNLI is from RNLI HQ, but it is from the Life- known lifeboat was stationed on the the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. It was boat Enthusiasts' own model consul- Mersey in 1776 at Formby, and not at formed in 1964 to cater for the needs of tants that members can gain that little Bamburgh in 1786 as had originally those with a technical or historical in- extra bit of detail or know-how if been thought. Grahame has written terest in the work of the Institution. In- needed. To build a model lifeboat can many books on the history of lifeboats, itially there were only eight members, easily take 2,000 hours, but it is well their crews and stations in the West but over the years the number has in- worth the effort if you are lucky enough Country and Wales. His other works creased to around 500. to have the necessary skills. Models fall cover official numbers, lifeboat stations Members interests may be split into into two categories: the static model throughout the British Isles, and va- three main areas: two have remained and the radio controlled working rious earlier types of lifeboat. Other constant, namely lifeboat history and model. Although both reflect different members, Jeff Morris of Coventry for modern technical development as it aspects of the hobby they are just as example, have also undertaken much affects the RNLI; the third is lifeboat exacting and require as much effort. research, enabling them to write de- modelling. This latter field is by no The model consultants are Brian King tailed station histories. These books are means new in the ship modelling world, and David Reed, both medal winners not only of interest to the historian, but but it is only in very recent years that on more than one occasion at the Model also useful fund-raisers at station the hobby has become directly associ- Engineer Exhibition. branches. ated with the society. Experience has At the outset it was the history of the Members' individual interests vary shown that members benefit in many Institution that roused interest in mem- over a wide range. The most common is ways from the society, and this is espe- bership. As the society has progressed of course historical in so far as details of cially true for the modeller. Plans of this interest has grown and many mem- local history of certain parts of the coast lifeboats are of course available for sale bers have developed very detailed re- are researched and collated. Other members find interest in postage stamps depicting lifesaving subjects. The taking and collecting of photographs has al- ways been popular, though because of the sheer magnitude of the task it has not yet proved practicable to compile a central photographic index. Also popu- lar and very rewarding is collecting postcards from both home and over- seas. Older cards are rare but still come to hand from time to time in the most unexpected places. Lifeboat stations have always been a source of interest to members. Indeed, Derek Waters of Winchester, together with his family, Interests of Enthusiasts embrace . . . lifeboat history: Zetland, the oldest lifeboat in existence, has visited all the lifeboat stations on built by Henry Greathead in 1800 and now housed in the Zetland Lifeboat Museum, Redcar. the mainland of the British Isles. Of . . . the technical development of new life- boats: (right) the latest 52ft Arun lifeboat, Duchess of Kent, the gift of the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England and des- tined for the relief fleet. The CRp-hul/ed Arun is the largest and fastest of the RNLI's fast afloat lifeboats. She is also the largest RNLI lifeboat to have an inherent self-righting capability.

. . . and model making: (above) a model of the 44ft Waveney lifeboat John Fison sta- tioned at Harwich. This model, made by Rod- nev Morlock, an Enthusiast from Felixstowe, is scratch built but using a pre-cast GRP hull. 52 course much spare time is spent help- work. Up-to-date news of operational siasts' Society at present costs £3 per ing with local branch activities and matters is regularly provided in a fea- year for adult members and £1 for Shoreline is well supported also. ture by the Institution's Public Rela- juniors under the age of 18. Unfortu- A small proportion of members own tions Officer, Ray Kipling. Members nately, however, because of rising costs ex-lifeboats which they use for various contribute letters and articles on various it is anticipated that from August 1, purposes. One is Gill of London owned lifeboat-related matters which in turn 1982, these will have to be increased to by Paul Neate of Poole, who takes great lead to further exchanges of corres- £5 for adults and £2 for junior members. pride in keeping her in as near original pondence. The newsletter is well illus- Overseas membership details are avail- condition as possible. Others use their trated with photographs originating able on application. craft as work boats and some have car- from members, the RNLI and other I and my wife, Pam, honorary secre- ried out excellent conversions to yachts SAR organisations at home and abroad. tary and assistant honorary secretary or cabin cruisers. Indeed, it has been as a direct result of respectively, will be pleased to provide Although basically a correspondence various photographs having been pub- membership forms upon request. Our society there are occasional meetings of lished that hitherto unrecognised prints address, and those of the honorary Enthusiasts held in London, usually at have been identified. Members are also secretaries of the area research groups, the Daily Express International Boat kept well informed on technical de- are give below: Show at Earls Court. This year, how- velopments and lifeboat movements. ever, it is intended to hold a special get- Within the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' soci- together of Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Soci- ety there are area research groups Addresses of honorary secretaries: ety members at Poole on Saturday July which have been set up to study in detail Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society: John G. Francis, 24 in connection with the RNLI HQ and the work of the RNLI in various parts of 13 West Way. Petts Wood, Orpington, depot open days held as its contribution the country. Areas at present covered Kent BR5 1LN. to Maritime England 1982. Members are the Thames Estuary, the section of Humber-Tees Lifeboat Research Group: will be given full details of this event in coast from the Humber to the Tees, and John D. Fox, 24 Headfield View, Thorn- the near future. in the north west, around the Lan- hill Leas, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire The main means of communication is cashire coast, the Mersey Estuary and WF12 9JP. by a fully illustrated newsletter which is North Wales. Although part of the Soci- North West Research Group: Ronald Parkin- circulated to all members both in the ety, these groups are autonomous in son, 59 Somerville Close, Bromborough, UK and abroad. Produced in offset their operation, producing their own Wirral, Merseyside L63 OPQ. litho by the Institution's own printing newsletters and having separate mem- Thames Estuary Research Group: J. C. department at Poole, this brings bership fees. Froom, Burford Lodge, 164 Stock Road, together all facets of the society and its Membership of the Lifeboat Enthu- Billericay, Essex CM12 ORS.

CB or VHP? Lifeboat appeals from page 51

We must remember that, by and AN APPEAL has been launched in Not- large, the area covered by a local tinghamshire to raise £150,000 to fund a REACT organisation will be governed Brede type lifeboat to be named The • by the range of its equipment. This area Nottinghamshire. In support of the can of course be extended by relaying appeal, the ex-Scarborough 37ft Oakley emergency messages on CB from user to lifeboat /. G. Graves of Sheffield (ser- user until they reach REACT, but this vice commitments permitting) will be would rely on there being CB users who on passage through the waterways of happened to be listening at points be- Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire in tween the origin of the emergency and late May and early June. Information REACT. The original facts could well about the lifeboat's passage is available be distorted when they finally got to from the North East regional office, Flamborough lifeboat appeal: on January 15 REACT. The Mill, Glasshouses, Nr Harrogate, Mrs Dorothy Hardy, honorary treasurer of North Yorkshire. Flamborough lifeboat appeal committee, presented to the Marquis of Normanby, a At sea member of the Committee of Management, a While there is no denying that re- 'cheque' for £126,665; with them is Miss M. sponsible CB can be a very useful addi- The five-year international sponsored Bird, honorary secretary of the appeal com- tional aid to the emergency services, the swim project in aid of the RNLI was mittee. This splendid result to the appeal was deficiencies outlined above, particularly closed last November when, at the due largely to local efforts backed up by that of range, make its wholesale use an Amateur Swimming Association annual support from many other parts of Yorkshire unsatisfactory alternative to VHP for and Lancashire, together with a bequest. meeting at Coventry, a token cheque photograph by courtesy of Arthur Dick marine communications. for £40,000 was presented to Norman If the question could be put to the Crumbie, a member of the Fund Raising help in the final stages of the project yachtsman at sea whose craft is on fire: Committee, by Fred Collins, president came from 'Swimalong with Wilkie' 'Which radio would you at this moment ASA (see photograph below). Extra events at Holiday Inns and public baths. prefer: the cheaper CB rig which may or may not work because you got it wet Presentation of token cheque yesterday and which, if it does work, may for £40,000, at end of five- be out of range of anyone who might just year international sponsored happen to be listening, or a marine band swim project: (I to r) Harold VHP radio which will put you in direct Hassall, secretary ASA: Paul touch with someone who will completely Lucas, special projects mana- understand your predicament and who ger, Cadburys, sponsors, ASA will get help to you by the fastest possible club championships; Stephen means and who, at the same time, from Poulter and June Croft, your transmissions, will have accurately Wigan Wasps club captains; determined your position?' Fred Col/ins, president ASA; Helmsman Edward 'Bev' there is little doubt which option he would Brown, New Brighton life- take: marine band VHF radio everv time. boat; and Norman Crumbie. 53 (above) Rother: Length overall 37ft 6in; beam Ilft6in; draught 3ft 6in; displacement 13 tons: maximum speed, 8 knots; range at full speed, 150 nautical miles. The Rother, introduced in 1973, is a development of the 37ft Oakley and she has a crew of seven; she launches down a slipway or from a carriage, or she can lie afloat. Her hull is built of wood. (top left) Waveney: Length overall 44ft; beam 12ft 6in; draught 4ft; displacement 18 tons; maximum speed, over 15 knots; range at full speed, 167 nautical miles. The Waveney, introduced in 1967 from the USA, lies afloat and has a crew of five. Her hull is built of steel. photograph by courtesy of H. E. Appleton (left) Watson: length overall 46ft 9in; beam 12ft 9in; draught 4ft 4in; displacement 23 tons; maximum speed, over 8 knots; range at full speed, 200 nautical miles. The 46ft 9in Watson, intro- duced in 1947, launches down a slipway or lies afloat. She has a crew of seven and her hull is built of wood. photograph by courtesy of Colin Watson

(left) Solent: length overall, 48ft 6in; beam 14ft; draught 4ft 6in; displacement 27 tons; maximum speed, over 9 knots; range at full speed, 240 nautical miles. The Solent, introduced in 1969, is a development of the 48ft 6in Oakley and she has a crew of seven; she launches down a slipway or lies afloat. Her hull is built of steel. photograph by courtesy of 'Birmingham Post and Mail'

(above) Atlantic 21: length overall 22ft 6in; beam 7ft 6in; draught, including engines, 2ft 6in; displacement I ton; maximum speed, 29 knots; range at full speed, 70 nautical miles. The Atlantic 21, introduced in 1972, has a crew of three and launches from a carriage. Her hull is ORP with an inflated neoprene sponson. photograph by courtesy of Keith Yuill Photographic

(left) Barnett: length overall 52ft; beam 14ft; draught 4ft 6in; displacement 29 tons; max- imum speed, 9 knots; range a! full speed, 350 nautical miles. The Barnett, introduced in 1950, has a crew of seven; she launches down a slipway or lies afloat. Her hull is built of wood. photograph by courtesy of EH Pictures 54 Some of the LIFEBOATS of the RNLI fleet

The photographs on these two pages are taken from those used in A Source Book of Lifeboats written by Ray Kipling, public relations officer, and recently published by Ward Lock; the book is reviewed on page 56.

(above) Thames: length overall 50ft; beam 14ft 6in; draught 4ft 6in; displacement 27 tons; maximum speed, 18 knots; range at full speed, 200 nautical miles. The Thames, introduced in 1973, has a crew of six, she lies afloat. Her hull is built of steel. photograph by courtesy of Cornish Photonews

(left) D class inflatable: length overall 15ft 6in; beam 6ft 4in; draught 17in; displacement 0.25 tons; maximum speed, 20 knots; range at full speed, 60 nautical miles. The D class inflatable, introduced in 1963, has a crew of two; she launches from a carriage or over the beach. Her hull is neoprene coated nylon. photograph by courtesy of S. Bennetts

(right) Arun: length overall 52ft or 54ft; beam 17ft; draught 5ft; displace- ment 31 tons; maximum speed 18 knots; range at full speed, 200 nautical miles. The Arun, introduced in 1971, has a crew of six; she lies afloat. Hulls of the first three boats of the class are built of wood, and hulls of subsequent boats of GRP. • • (below) Clyde, 70-001, Charles H. Barrett (Civil Service No 35): length rsp.ic overall 70ft; beam 18ft; draught 8ft 4in; displacement 85 tons; maximum speed, over 11 knots; range at full speed, 600 nautical miles. Charles H. Barrett, built in 1965, cruises or lies afloat. Her hull is built of steel. Statis- tics for the second and third boats in the Clyde class, 70-002 and 70-003, are different. photograph by courtesy of L. G. W. Richards

55 Lifeboat Open Days 1982 Poole Headquarters and Depot

Thursday July 22 10 am—6 pm Friday July 23 10 am—8 pm Saturday July 24 10 am—6 pm RNLI HEAD OFFICE and CAR PARK (access West Quay Road) WHEN THE ENGLISH TOURIST BOARD proclaimed 1982 Maritime England Year it was considered an appropriate occasion to open the RNLI's head office and depot to the public, for the first time in the Institution's history. Before the RNLI moved to Poole, in the mid-seventies, its head office and depot were separated by over 30 miles, so an event of this nature would not have been possible. What really goes on at head office and depot? How many different items of stores are required for lifeboats? Where is the central operations/information room situated? What is it like on board a modern lifeboat? Visitors to the Open Days will be able to find out the answers to these questions, and many more. For people entering Poole on the Hamworthy, Wimborne or Parkstone and Bournemouth roads, the map indicates how to reach RNLI headquarters. In addition, AA road signs will mark the routes from the Poole boundary roads. For visitors arriving by train, it is just a five-minute walk to RNLI HQ, and for those arriving by coach at Poole bus station it is a ten- minute walk, starting through the Arndale Centre. What to see Modern lifeboats How to find vour wa\ Features by the Royal Navy and HM Coastguard Other attractions Models, exhibits and pictures tracing the RNLI's history and Souvenirs on sale development Shoreline membership available Mock-up after cabin of The Mumbles lifeboat built by the BBC for Ice-cream and refreshments the TV series 'Ennal's Point' Facilities for the disabled Workshops, stores, offices * Coach parties welcome Films Admission and car parking free Special events Thursday July 22, 11 am: Opening ceremony by Rear Admiral W. J. For further details please contact the Public Relations De- Graham, director RNLI. partment, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole Tel: (0202) 671133 Friday Julv 23, 12 noon: Lottery draw by a well-known personality. ext 239. Daily: Demonstrations of Atlantic 21 lifeboat launch and recovery. Games of 'Uccers' (the old navy game of ludo) between teams of "Advance notice of visits b\' coach parties and groups would be lifeboatmen, staff and visiting personalities—in fancy dress. appreciated.

variety of ways to the success of its work land, and Wulf Barow, a journalist and of saving life at sea. In another chapter writer specialising in photographic sub- some famous rescues are recounted and jects, show how a change of lens can Books ... there is also a short introduction to life- totally alter the mood of a picture; how boats around the world. For its size, the to make a protective cover for your book is exceptionally well illustrated camera using a plastic bag, sticky tape • Every now and again a book is with a fine and varied selection of and an elastic band; how a sequence of added to the lifeboat library which can photographs, old and new. shots will give a better indication of the be recognised at once as a 'classic'. Such Pocket size, this source book is easy rough sea conditions than a single pic- is A Source Book of Lifeboats by Ray to take on holiday and, with its chart of ture, and a whole host of special effects. Kipling (Ward Lock, £3.50). Few peo- lifeboat stations in Great Britain and These and other aspects of taking ple can have a better all-round know- Ireland and its notes on RNLI museums photographs at sea make this book ex- ledge of the present-day lifeboat service and display centres, it is a useful book tremely interesting and helpful for any or greater interest in its development to have with you. Copies are available enthusiastic amateur photographer.— than has the author, who is the RNLI's from the RNLI's London office, 202 S.J.G. public relations officer, and his book is Lambeth Road, SE1 7JW, price £3.50 a good straightforward introduction to plus 50p postage and packing.—J.D. • The Sailing Dictionary by Joachim the subject—a source of basic know- Schult (Adlard Coles, Granada, £9.95) ledge indeed. • Marine photography is not always is not just a straightforward dictionary There are chapters on the Institu- plain sailing and any 'tricks of the trade' but also a very informative book cover- tion's history, on modern lifeboats and which can help you take that once-in-a- ing many aspects of modern sailing, the their equipment and on the organisation lifetime photograph more often, or to terms used and the technology in- of a lifeboat station and how a rescue prevent your camera being ruined by volved. I found it fascinating reading. operation is set in motion; in this sec- salt water, are very welcome indeed. In Translated and extensively revised by tion can be found the keyed portrait of This is Photography Afloat (Nautical Barbara Webb, it is very fully illustrated Wells lifeboat station, showing all the Books, £7.95), authors Theo Kampa. a and well worth its price for its compre- different people who contribute in a professional photographer living in Hol- hensiveness alone.—EJ. 56 BOAT SHOW 1982 EARLS COURT January 7 to 17

EACH NEW YEAR, during the Boat Show at Earls Court, the boating industry gives most generous recognition and support to the lifeboat service. Among the eminent people who have been in- vited to open the show in past years— who include Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, Earl Mountbatten and four future or present prime ministers (three British and one Maltese)—there have been two lifeboat coxswains, Michael Berry of St Helier, Jersey, and Brian After the official opening, honorary Beaumaris lifeboat crew member Jimmy Savile visited the Bevan of Humber. This year Jimmy RNLI stand together with Coxswain David Gal/ichan (third from left) and his crew. Savile opened the show, but he did so on condition that he be assisted by the first the 'Ennal's Point' exhibit and then sales, lottery tickets and donations, lifeboat crew from Beaumaris, a station the rigging demonstration on the main while Shoreline's team of volunteers ex- where he has for some years been an stand. For the 'Ennal's Point' display celled themselves by recruiting 1,177 honorary crew member. the BBC transported to Earls Court its new members. Both these totals are all This year, not for the first time either, uncannily convincing mock-up of the time records which is remarkable con- the RNLI was able to run two stands stern cabin interior of a 47ft Watson sidering the 40 per cent drop in attend- thanks to the generosity of the Boat lifeboat, the one used in the filming of ance at the 1982 Boat Show. Show organisers who provided both the TV series the first episode of which The show organisers were also kind sites free of charge. What is more, the went out on the opening day of the Boat enough to let the RNLI make presenta- two stands became a Mecca for many of Show. tions on the stage at the central pool. the visitors, especially the younger ones, Joe Salmon and Ron Parris's display Raymond Baxter, chairman of the Pub- because on consecutive programmes of rigging crafts must have been one of lic Relations Committee, was delighted BBC TV's 'Blue Peter" previewed the most attractive and absorbing ex- to present the RNLFs PR award to hibits of the show. People crowded David Trotter for his photographic round the stand to see them weaving work, to Joe Martin, coxswain of Hast- together the bow pudding which, ings lifeboat, for his work with school through perfect timing, they completed parties and other visitors to his boat- on the last day. Patiently they would ex- house and many speaking engagements plain the best knot to use in whatever over the years, to Hamlyns who pub- situation was described to them and lished Patrick Howarth's Lifeboat—//; then, more patiently still, how to tie it. Danger's Hour and the Booksellers At one point an inspired school mistress Association Service House (BASH) made her whole class of eight-year-olds who promoted the book to the extent sit down and draw the scene of Joe and that it topped the best seller's list for Ron at work in their rigging loft. several weeks. Two presentations made Fictional Ennui's Point coxswain. Jack Tustin From the rigging and ropes at one to the RNLI included a cheque for played by Philip Madoc (I), and factual end of the stand visitors moved on to £10.000 from Golden Wonder Crisps Mumbles coxswain, Derek Scott, together the lines of souvenirs at the other: and two porcelain figures of lifeboat- 'aboard' the mock-up stern cabin on display voluntary workers ended the show with men from the History in Porcelain at Earls Court. an impressive turnover of £13.626 in Company.—E.W-W. Presentations of Public Relations awards were made by Raymond Ron Parris f/j and Joe Salmon at work in the rigging loft on the RNLI Baxter to (I to r) Coxswain Joe Martin of Hastings, Chris Larkin from stand: Ron weaves together the bow pudding while Joe helps one of the BASH, Charles Fowkes of Hamlvns and David Trotter (with his many interested visitors, first explaining the best knot to use in a given daughter Helen). situation, then how to tie it. New Year Honours Among the awards announced in the New Year Honours list were: KCVO Captain Miles Buckley Wingate. Captain Wingate. as Deputy Master of Trinity House, is an ex-officio member of the Institution's Committee of Management. CBE Charles Raymond Cory, Chairman, South Glamorgan Area Health Author- ity. Mr Cory has been a member of the Institution's Committee of Manage- ment since 1954 and was voted a vice president of the RNLI in 1970; he has served on the Executive Committee since its formation in 1971. Donald Roy Donaldson. MVO AFC. lately Chairman. Baltic Exchange. When he was Chairman of the Baltic Exchange. Mr Donaldson was an ex- The Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, was one of the visitors to the RNLI exhibition officio member of the Institution's staged in the Upper Waiting Hall of the House of Commons last Februarv. With her is Rear Committee of Management. Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution. MBE John James Lewis. Deputy Director RNLFs work, pointing out particularly gional organisers. Assistant district (Mining). North East Leicestershire the current development of new lifeboat organising secretaries are now known as Prospect, National Coal Board. Mr designs which has been possible because area organisers. Lewis was elected chairman of the of the continuing generous voluntary The Midland Shires and West Mid- RNLFs Walmer branch in 1974 after support of the Institution. Among the lands regions have been amalgamated serving as a committee member for six visitors to the exhibition were the Prime to become the Midlands region; the years. Although Mr Lewis now lives in Minister. Mrs Margaret Thatcher, and office address remains at 16 Harborne Nottinghamshire, he travels down to many MPS and peers who support the Road. Birmingham del: 021-454 3009). Walmer for every committee meeting. RNLI both inland and on the coast. The Channel Islands have been trans- ferred from the South West region to He was awarded the silver badge in Canada 1982. headquarters, coming directly into the John Atterton. now a consultant to care of the appeals secretary. Mrs Florence Violet McDonald. For the Institution, recently visited Canada services to the community in Kincar- The RNLI Dublin office has moved to help with the establishment of the from Merrion Square to 3 Clare Street. dineshire. Among her services to the Canadian Lifeboat Institution. This In- community, Mrs McDonald has been Dublin 2. (Tel, unchanged; Dublin stitution is being modelled on similar 762217 and 767959). president of Stonehaven ladies' lifeboat lines to the RNLI and will be financed guild since 1957; she was awarded the entirely by voluntary contributions; it Wells statuette in 1972 and the gold badge in hopes one day to operate all over Can- Wells Cathedral is celebrating its 1981. ada. The responsibility for search and eighth century in 1982 and, in connec- Mrs . Eileen Dora Hamley-Rowan, rescue in Canada rests with the Govern- tion with these celebrations. Wells secretary, East Sheen and Barnes ment's Department of Transport, which branch is holding a Lifeboat Ball on branch, RNLI. Mrs Hamley-Rowan be- welcomes this voluntary initiative. September 3 at the Undercroft and came honorary secretary of the branch There is also a British Columbian Henderson Rooms of the Bishop's in 1939. She was awarded the record of Lifeboat Society which has recently Palace, by kind permission of the thanks in 1957, the gold badge in 1961, been established, once again on a Bishop of Bath and Wells. Information a bar to the gold badge in 1971 and she voluntary basis. from Mr H. F. H. Greig. 19 St John became a honorary life governor of the Street, Wells. Somerset. BA5 1SW. Institution in 1976. Fund-raising changes BEM On January 1, 1982, new titles were Penlee Memorial Service Arthur Norman Quillin, coxswain/ introduced for fund-raising staff, to des- A cassette recording of the Memorial mechanic. Port St Mary lifeboat. Mr cribe their appointments more accurate- Service held at Truro Cathedral on Quillin joined the lifeboat crew in 1946, ly. Except in Scotland and Ireland, February 15 is available from Mr P. J. became motor mechanic in 1955 and which remain as before, district organis- Raymond. The Marine Hotel. Pen- coxswain/mechanic in 1974. He was ing secretaries are now known as re- zance, price £3. accorded the thanks of the Institution Mr Mavor the Coxswain inscribed on vellum in 1981. . . . Kenneth Ho/land, cox- swain/mechanic of Skegness House of Commons lifeboat, is a/so a member of An RNLI exhibition in the House of East Lindsev District Council Commons was opened on February 22 as well as Skegness Town by Iain Sproat, MP, Parliamentary Council: he was elected Under Secretary of State at the De- Mayor of Skegness in 1981. partment of Trade. It was sponsored by Mr Holland joined Skegness Lt-Col Richard Crawshaw and Peter lifeboat crew in 1946: he served as bowman from 1947, Viggers, both Members of Parliament as coxswain from 1965 and as who serve on the Committee of coxswain/mechanic from Management. 1969. The purpose of the exhibition was to photograph by courtesy of inform members of both Houses of the Wratcs Studios Building the Fast Slipway Lifeboat PART VII: FITTED OUT AFTER EARLY TRIALS, the first prototype of the 47ft fast slipway lifeboat (FSB) was hauled out again at Fairey's yard. East Cowes. before Christmas for the de- tailed completion of her fitting out and her final painting; the interior photo- graphs on this page were taken just be- fore she went back into the water to (above} City of London, the first 47ft fast slipway lifeboat start her operational trials. prototype, al sea. Her opera- The overall dimensions and weight of tional trials, just started, must the FSB conform with the requirements of necessity be long and ex- that she should fit into existing boat- acting, but she is already houses and be launched from existing showing herself to be sea- slipways. The choice of steel as her kindly, dry and of an en- building material made an immediate couraging speed. saving of internal space and weight but, (right) Inside the whetlhouse even so. space is very limited. Despite looking forward to the cox- the considerable amount of machinery swain's position. Each crew with which she is fitted and the com- member has a swivelling seal plete complement of electronic com- with arm rests and lap safety munications and navigational aids, deck belt. and safety equipment which she carries, the first impression on going aboard the (right) Navigator's position, to starboard of the coxswain. FSB is of a highly efficient, functional All his aids are readily to boat cleared and ready for action. So hand: the radar display is in carefully have her stowages been plan- front of his seat, then swivel ned that, while all her equipment is to through 180 degrees and there hand, ready for instant release, when is his chart table with the echo not in use it is held securely in place in sounder above. the worst of weather. (leftI Flares are stowed in their own balanced pivoting compartment within a locker just inside the forward cabin (companionway. left, leads up to the wheelhouse) . . . (below) There are permanent positions for two basket stretchers in the after cabin, one to starboard and one to port. Note trackway to (below) . . . and the worktop lifts up to give which a steadying bridle can be attached when access to Speedline line throwing apparatus lowering stretcher-borne injured survivors and its igniters Hop centre). into the resting position.

Heft) Motor mechanic radio operator's position. Engine control panel with fuel and battery charging gauges to port; VHP and MF radio for- ward and MH direction finding equipment below the table. Intercom speaker is fitted be- tween the MF radio and the ship's side. 59 with another inflatable, I assisted by each of the past four years alone. King- making two trips to shore towing life- ston Buci Brownies, Shoreham, are the rafts containing some 50 passengers. holders of the Shoreham Sponsored Conditions were such that there was Walk Trophy and have raised £359 for Letters... ample time for the rescue but it is reas- the lifeboat by taking part in the last suring to know that both RNLI lifeboats two annual sponsored walks. and the RAF helicopters are mobilised TS Attentive NTC (Southwick) was the Shoreline Service and co-ordinated so quickly, which founder of NTC/RNLI Liaison and has I read with interest the report on page would have been vital had the captain of helped the lifeboat service for 21 years, 10 of the winter issue of THE LIFEBOAT, the Ivanhoe not been able to return the including offering the use of its head- concerning the beaching of the Prince half mile or so to the beach.—j. N. RAB- quarters for RNLI functions. TS Intrepid Ivanhoe at Horton, off the Gower, SON, Shoreline Member, Hunts Hill NTC (Lancing) provides collectors for South Wales. I was on holiday and hap- Cottage, Naphill, High Wycombe, Lancing flag week, and has taken part pened to be returning to the beach in Buckinghamshire. in the last three sponsored walks for the my inflatable at the time. I therefore RNLI. TS Zealous NTC (Brighton) also witnessed the complete occurrence Help from young people takes part in the sponsored walk and from the time Prince Ivanhoe sailed into At the naming ceremony of helps with collections in Brighton; its Horton Bay prior to striking the under- Shoreham Harbour's new Rother class divisional band has been paraded in water obstruction, until the tide all but lifeboat The Davys Family last October, Shoreham in the past four years. In the covered her funnel. the route for HRH Princess Alexandra past two years the three divisions have At the moment of beaching, I was was lined by 110 young people who over raised £710 for the Shoreham lifeboat. within 100 yards of the Ivanhoe, passen- the years have given outstanding help to In the same period, the 18 NTC divi- gers were already on deck wearing life the lifeboat service in the Shoreham sions which support NTC/RNLI Liaison jackets and two, if not three helicopters area. They were representatives of two have raised £10,111.24 for the lifeboat were overhead. Such was the speed and Brownie packs and three divisions of service, regardless of the fact that the efficiency of the emergency services. the Nautical Training Corps. Corps itself has had severe financial At the request of the RAF winchman Ruslip Brownies have adopted problems.—HARRY MCGILVRAY, NTCI who had been lowered on to Prince Shoreham Harbour lifeboat station and RNLI Liaison Officer, 2 Croft Drive, Ivanhoe from a helicopter, together have raised more than £100 for it in Portslade, Sussex.

Salcombe an Atlantic 21 lifeboat. A number of Samuel Coles, who was a founder At the Baltic Exchange Charitable special events have been held and member of Poole fund raising branch Society's annual 'cereals' dinner last £12,000 has already been raised. and was secretary from 1946 to 1969. In December, the guest speaker was Bill 1955 he also became station honorary Budgett, chairman and honorary secre- secretary of Poole lifeboat station, a tary of Salcombe and Hope Cove Weekend breaks post he held until 1969. Mr Coles was branch; it is at Salcombe that the 47ft Four unusual weekend breaks are awarded a gold badge in 1970 and was Watson lifeboat The Baltic Exchange is being arranged through the RNLI elected a vice-president of the branch in stationed. So enthralled was the audi- Scottish office: at Harrogate, Telford, 1976. ence that when Bill sat down, although Edinburgh and Stoke-on-Trent. Details Mrs Constance Noyce, who was pres- he had not asked for a penny, the of the special programmes planned, and ident of Andover and District branch. money began to pour in. Each table the address for booking forms can be Mrs Noyce began collecting for the gave their 'stakes' on private 'length of found on page 38 - £5 will be donated to RNLI in 1914 and was secretary of the speech' sweepstakes; other gifts followed the RNLI for every holiday booked. branch from 1927 to 1971, when she be- and the total was an amazing £529.70. came chairman. Mrs Noyce was A few weeks later Salcombe lifeboat awarded the gold badge in 1950 and a crew raised another £651 at their own Bronze medal service bar to the gold badge in 1966. In 1972 dance, held at Thurlestone Hotel. Prints of a drawing by Trevor Parkin she was made an honorary life governor of the rescue on May 1, 1981 of two of the Institution and in 1977 she was Centenary young fishermen by Cromer D class in- one of the lifeboat voluntary workers to Weston-super-Mare lifeboat station flatable lifeboat are available price £1 receive the award of the Queen's Silver has been awarded a centenary vellum on including postage and packing from Mr Jubilee Medal. the occasion of its 100th anniversary in T. G. R. Stibbons, 4 Rainton Court, January 1982. As part of its centenary celebra- Spalding. Lincolnshire. Lt-Cdr D. A. Ramsay, QBE DSC RN tions, Weston-super-Mare has launched who had been a tremendous supporter an appeal with a target of £25,000 to fund of Princes Risborough and District Obituary branch and served as chairman for more It is with deep regret that we record than ten years. the following deaths: February November Walter Jonas Oxley, coxswain of Mrs Pat Lang, membership secretary Walton and Frinton lifeboat from 1947 and wife of the chairman of Totton to 1964, after serving as bowman from branch. Mr and Mrs Lang both joined 1930 to 1936 and second coxswain from the branch in 1975, a year after the 1936 to 1946. Coxswain Oxley was branch was formed. Although confined awarded the bronze medal in 1939 and a to a wheelchair, Mrs Lang continued to bar to his bronze medal in 1964. work for the RNLI right up to her Angus Scott, coxswain of Lochinver death, despite severe disabilities. lifeboat since 1973. Mr Scott joined the Two figures, representing lifeboatmen of 1882 December crew in 1967. and 1982 and sculptured by Bernard Mrs Tessa Anderson, a member of Schwartz, are being produced b\ The History of Porcelain Company, High Street, Shore- Hepworth and Scholes ladies' guild for ham Village, Sevenoaks, Kent ("Tel: Otford 25 years and honorary treasurer for 13 Knowle and Dorridge ladies' guild 3416). Until September 1982 the cost is £575 a years. In Mrs Anderson's memory received £750 donated by family and pair or £289 each. A royally will be paid to the £165.50 was donated to the guild in lieu friends in memory of Christopher RNLI on all figures sold. of flowers. Snushall of Knowle, Warwickshire. 60 ing takes place between 12 noon and last autumn announced four special 12.30 pm followed by lunch at 12.45 holiday offers for Shoreline members. pm. Any members visiting the area will Two of these holidays will be over by be made very welcome. Honorary the time you read this page: some of our secretary: Mrs P. Somers, Churchview members took advantage of a break in Cottage, Folkton, Nr Scarborough, Malta just before Christmas and others Shoreline Yorkshire. Tel. 0723 890143. will be visiting the Dutch bulbfields in Peterborough, Shoreline Club No. 8: April. That leaves a trip to Canada in Meets on the third Wednesday of each June and the Rhine cruise in September Section month, at 7.30 pm, at Thorpe Wood and October. Both, I understand, are Police Station. Once again, all members already well supported but there are FOR SHORELINE each new year is wel- in the area would be made most wel- still some vacancies. If you are in- comed in by the Boat Show at Earls come. Honorary secretary: Mr S. terested please write to Mr D. Cooper, Court, early in January. As usual a Meadows, 16 Valance Road, Orton, Fred Olsen Travel, 11 Conduit Street, voluntary Shoreline team was manning Waterville, Peterborough. Tel. Peter- London W1R OLS, or telephone 01-491 our stand for the full 11 days, and very borough 233067. 3760. Don't forget, for every holiday well they did, too. We made an excellent * * # booked in this way the RNLI will be- start, with the number of new members Southend-on-Sea, Shoreline Club nefit by a percentage of the money enrolled on the first day being almost No. 3, has changed its meeting place. In paid—and also you can be assured of a double that of previous years. One new the future it will meet on the second holiday to remember, with first class friend who joined that day as a life Wednesday of the month at Thorpe Bay service and accommodation. governor then bought RNLI lottery Yacht Club, Thorpe Bay Gardens, Mercantile Credit has now extended tickets almost to the same value as his Thorpe Bay. its loan scheme for Shoreline to embrace all types of loans required by subscription and filled them all out in * * # favour of the Institution! However, You will have noticed that Shoreline our members needing help in, for inst- snow and difficult travelling was to Club No. 8 meets at a Police Station in ance, buying a car or a caravan or ex- mean a drop of 40 per cent in overall Peterborough. Last year three police tending the house. Full details of this attendance at the show compared with constables at the Northern Traffic De- scheme will be sent out this year with last year, so that it is a great credit to partment, stationed at Peterborough, membership cards, but anyone wishing our team that they enrolled 1,177 new all Shoreline members, undertook a to take advantage of it should get in members, topping all previous records. sponsored drive around 50 lifeboat sta- touch with Mercantile Credit, Eli- Thank you, our team—you did splen- tions in England, Scotland and Wales. zabethan House, Great Queen Street, didly—and to all our new members, we Malcolm Smith, Bob Crawford and London WC2 (Tel. 01-242 1234), or any are very pleased to have you with us. Mike Redhead started off at Great Yar- Mercantile District Office. * * * mouth and Gorleston lifeboat station at 7.30 am on Saturday September 12 and We have recently introduced two new We would send our special thanks to travelled clockwise around the country all our members who sent letters and lines to our range of insignia. One is a finishing at Wells-next-the-Sea, in Nor- navy blue V-neck sweater with the donations following the Penlee disaster. folk, the following Friday, September Your kind thoughts were much appreci- RNLI flag on the lefthand side. They 18. They were met by members of Wells are obtainable in sizes from 30in to 44in ated and your letters of sympathy have crew and branch officials and a party been passed on to Penlee. So great has from Shoreline Office at Poole and cost was organised by the ladies' guild. A £7 each plus 50p postage. The other is a been our mail that unfortunately we total of 2,163 miles was clocked up dur- have not been able to avoid some delay waterproof stowaway bag with a ing the trip and a total of £1,400 raised Shoreline crest at one end. It is also in replying to your letters and sending in sponsorship for the lifeboats. Con- out insignia. We are catching up, but available from Shoreline Office, price gratulations, Malcolm, Bob and Mike, £6.50 plus 50p postage. please accept our apologies if you have and thank you. in any way been inconvenienced. Up in the same part of the world, * * * * * * Chief Superintendent Hardingham of Recruiting of new members has got It is always a great pleasure when the Traffic Division Cambridgeshire off to a very good start this year and I friends from overseas become members Constabulary, organised a band concert am certain that with your support and of Shoreline, but may we ask that when at Cambridge; more than £400 was enthusiasm I will be able to report by sending in their subscriptions they raised and handed to the local branch. the end of 1982 that the magic 100,000 should take into account the rate of ex- Thank you, too, Mr Hardingham, your figure has been reached. Could you change and the postage costs. For ex- help is greatly appreciated. make your own target, perhaps, just ample a member signing on from the * * * one new member? A little help from USA at the membership minimum of £5 Over the past few years we have tried everyone goes a very long way. would need to send $12 to cover this to co-operate with commercial orga- A very happy summer to you all.— cost. nisations for the benefit of both our PETER HOLNESS, membership secretary, Following the increase in our sub- members and the Institution. For inst- RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, scription rate, the first since the forma- ance, as you know, Fred Olsen Lines BH15 1HZ. tion of the membership scheme in 1969, a great many of our existing members To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. have now increased their subscriptions. I enclose subscription to join Shoreline as an: Thank you very much for this support. Annual Member £5.00 (minimum) D * * * Annual Family Membership £7.50 (minimum) D Annual Member and Governor £15.00 (minimum) D During the month of January two new Life member and Governor £150.00 (minimum) d Shoreline clubs held their inaugural Send me details of how I can help with a Legacy. O meetings. I should like to welcome them to the growing number of our clubs and Name_ wish them every success in 1982: Address. Scarborough, Shoreline Club No. 7: Meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at Southlands Hotel, West Over 107,600 people would have been lost without the lifeboat service. Street, Scarborough. A business meet- 61 Wheels Rollerdrome, to raise money for Last autumn Littlehampton branch the lifeboats. Piles of pennies were built organised its first ever wine and cheese on the bar counter at Birmingham Road party. Held at the home of Mr and Mrs Police Station and at the Rollerdrome; Philip Mitchell, it was attended by there were sponsored events, including Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk, Lord roller skating round the park, and one Lieutenant of West Sussex and patron way and another money poured in. At a of Littlehampton branch. With the help social evening at the Whispering of a raffle and an antique and bric-a- (Some Wheels on October 16, a cheque for brac stall, the evening resulted in a pro- £1,500 was presented to Coxswain fit of £1,072 for branch funds. George Jeffs of Barmouth and members of his crew, which includes a former Two Dover men, Mr D. Skelton and Birmingham Road 'bobby', Colin Mr B. T. Sackett, joined in a 10-mile Pooler. fun run around Dover on July 1, 1981. They presented their sponsorship When the annual Fireball Class 24- money, £150, to Coxswain Anthony hour race organised by Wembley Sail- Hawkins for Dover lifeboat. ing Club was sailed on the Welsh Harp Reservoir last July, 30 people from ten Mr and Mrs Cox, the landlord and his of the teams of six were sponsored in wife of The Umbrella Inn at Arle, Chel- aid of the RNLI. The sponsorship tenham, held a Captain Morgan's Rum money was collected at the club's promotion evening in December and annual laying up supper and a cheque raised £235.56 for the RNLI. Part of the for £624 presented to Wembley fun was a fancy dress competition, the branch's chairman, Geoffrey Chapman. prizes for which were presented by The race itself was won by a team from Whitbreads Brewery. Datchet, but Wembley members took the next three places. One of Knebworth and District branch's annual events is a Christmas singalong and yuletide entertainment. North Cotswold branch raised just The bill last year included a 'Wizard There have been bonds between the over £700 for the RNLI last November at its annual coffee morning and sale at Oz', French horn and viola solos, solo police in Wolverhampton and the RNLI and choral songs from Welwyn Garden since 1863 when Captain Henry Seg- the Manor House Long Room, More- ton. The coffee morning was attended Music Society, handbell ringing by St rave, the Chief Constable of Wol- Mary's Church bell ringers and even a verhampton, was elected honorary by the Countess of Buchan, president of the branch, who made presentations to 'potted panto parody' entitled 'Cinder- secretary of the newly-formed Wol- Alfred'. Last but by no means least, the verhampton branch, and over the years the retiring honorary secretary, Bill McCarthy, and his wife Ethel. audience themselves joined in singing other senior police officers have given carols. With the sale of tickets and a their support. Now, early in 1981 De- collection box £94.87 was raised and tective Sergeant Ken Lakin and his col- Little and Broad Haven ladies' guild leave no doubt that fund raising can be souvenirs worth £79.84 were sold. Any- leagues in the CID joined with Ken one in the area who would like to help Head, the manager of the Whispering fun. Chips, stew and plum duff washed down with grog, hornpipes danced by the branch would be most welcome. local school children and sea shanties Please write to the chairman, Mr F. E. sung by crew members all contributed Entecott, 31 Hornbeam Spring, Kneb- to the success of the guild's sea shanty worth, Hertfordshire, or telephone supper which netted £274.21. A cham- Stevenage 812213. pagne morning raised another £206.54 while a barbecue and disco on the wed- ding day meant that £200 was promptly sent to the Lord Mayor of Cardiff's appeal for a new lifeboat to commemo- rate the Royal wedding. Members who served cream teas on Sunday afternoons throughout August raised £120, while a summer-long souvenir shop took £5,278.28.

Dr Hilary Jones of the Firth Medical Centre, Coxswain Peter Burwood of Harwich pre- Sullom Voe, Shetland, sets out on a long dis- sented the prizes for a pumpkin growing com- tance windsurf across Bus/a Voe. He com- When Thorn EMI Waking Division held its petition arranged last year by Bury St pleted the 14-mile trip from Brae to Aith and family day, Mr K. L. Harder showed his Edmunds branch. Seven schools took part back in three hours and 20 minutes. The £500 working model of a 48ft 6in Solent lifeboat in and £948.58 was raised together with a further he raised in sponsorship was divided between the hobbies section and collected £14.19 £50 for the sale of the pumpkins. The largest the RNLI and the Save The Children Fund. which he donated to Pyrford branch. To that pumpkin, measuring 211 cm, was grown by photograph by courtesy of Mr Harder added another £30 raised by a Hilary Moore of Norton Primary School. Aberdeen News Services raffle at his departmental Christmas dinner. photograph by courtesy of Bury Free Press 62 For the past three years Ruth Cawsey (r) and Carolyn Doorbar have raised funds for Weston-super-Mare branch at Christmas time by play- ing carols in clubs and pubs and in the local shopping area. In the first year they raised £700: in the second £800 and in 1981 more than £2,000. photograph by courtesy of West Air Photography

(Right) The mass start of a mini marathon organised by Sodbury and District branch on September 27, 1981, when £3,000 was raised for the RNLI. A total of 329 runners ran the 15-mile course and enjoyed it so much that the marathon is to become an annual event. The owners of the Penny Farthing Hayling Island station and fund rais- Clevedon branch was re-formed last Restaurant at Tailing End, Bucking- ing branches held a very successful barn spring and, in August, with the help of hamshire, David Barnett and Austin dance last August at Crew Member its Shoreline members, the new com- Smith, very generously gave the profits Simon Wilson's fruit farm; the ladies mittee raised £700 in its first lifeboat on a dinner held there on January 12 to provided a first-class salad supper and week. A cheese and wine party which Fulmer and Iver branch. The dinner Crew Member Ross Fuller ran the bar. followed produced a profit of an addi- was well attended, despite appalling Principal guests were Lt-Cdr John tional £150. weather, and Raymond Baxter, chair- Lunch, a member of the Committee of man of the Public Relations Commit- Management and president of Hayling Another branch recently re-formed, tee, kindly helped with the raffle. At station branch, and Mrs Joy Lunch. A at Watford, brought in £1,625.90 during the end of the evening the total amount draw raised £104 and the overall profit its lifeboat week last October, with raised was £431.75. from the evening was £600. house-to-house and street collections and the sale of souvenirs. On the flag day itself the Mayor of Watford, Coun- cillor Les Amy, came down to the shop- Cleveland Handbell Ringers ping centre, where an Atlantic 21 rigid made a tour of 20 working inflatable lifeboat was on display, to men's clubs in Cleveland over give his support and encouragement. To a four night period and raised bring the total to more than £2,000 in £500 for Redcar lifeboat sta- one month, a jumble sale which raised tion; following appearance on £400 was also held in October. Tyne Tees Television's epi- logues and Christmas pro- grammes a further £150 was There was a hen in Northern Ireland sent to Pools. which laid a £1,000 egg for the photograph by courtesy of RNLI ... It was a happy fund-raising Tvne Tecs Television event known as the Hen Island Chal- lenge Race and dreamed up by Dr Bar- Emlyn Hughes, the former ry Bramwell, owner of the Daft Eddie England football captain, tavern, Sketrick, and skipper of Inishar- while visiting his home town on. to delight and tease his friends; it of Barrow-in-Furness, top- was held on October 10, 1981. All com- pled a pile of pennies which peting vessels had to be home built, had been growing on the bar costing no more than £20 in materials; of Roa Island Hotel. Barrow they could be powered by any means businessmen Peter Jackson except internal combustion engine or and Mike McKenzie doubled other infernal contraptions; the winner the amount and Mr Hughes added his contribution so that was to be the first vessel a member of £508 was raised for Barrow whose crew touched Sketrick Causeway lifeboat. with his, or her, right hand (amputation photograph by courtesy of to obtain an unsportsmanlike advantage 'Barrow News and Mail' was not allowed). The International 63 For more than 40 years two generations of two families have been raising funds for the RNL1 at the Cramond Inn on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. The two families, the Gumleys (owners of the inn) and the Proudfoots (the managers), were recently presented with a plaque in recognition of their long The Saturday Club for deaf and partially hearing children aged 8 to 16, standing connection with the RNLI. Presenting the plaque to Newport, Isle of Wight, includes many outdoor activities in its programme, Sam Proudfoot is Sir Charles McGrigor, convenor of the Scot- and four weeks of special efforts for the RNLI culminated in an exhibition tish Lifeboat Council (second from left). Also present were (I to football match against West Wight under 13 football club. The £400 raised r) Mr W. F. G. Lord, an honorary life governor of the Institu- was presented by Miss Helen Foster to Lt David Stogdon. formerly tion, Mr A. Cubic, honorary secretary Edinburgh branch, Mr superintendent of depot, Cowes. The Saturday Club's football captain was K. L. Gumlev, Mr H. McCallum and Mrs Gumley. presented with a trophy given for the winning team by Bodv Torque Garage. photograph by courtesy of 'The Scotsman' photograph by courtesy of the Isle of Wight 'Weekly Post' When North Ferriby ladies' After John Wright, a member of guild opened its thrift shop in Rochdale Model Boat Club, had taken 1977 £800 was raised, but by part in last year's Manchester Marathon 1981 profits had soared to he presented the £130 he had raised in over £6,000. Among other guild activities was a Christ- sponsorship to Littleborough ladies' mas evening held at the home guild. of Mr and Mrs J. Hethering- ton. Swan/and, when six au- Seeking a new way to raise money for tographed Giles Christmas the lifeboats, some members of cards, auctioned by Mr M. Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club kidnap- Bateson, fetched £66 and helped bring the total for the ped the landlady of the Black Boy in evening to £735. Fishbourne and held her at the club for a £10 ransom. The landlord came to the 'rescue' of his wife and paid the £10. The club were matching this amount A team of bowler-hatted wai- with another £10 when the bar staff of ters provided some old- the Black Boy telephoned to say that fashioned service from the they and their customers had collected a bar at Henley-on-Thames further £10. So. a bit of fun for every- branch Old Tyme Music Hall one and £30 for the RNLI. last October. On an evening when manv of the audience Following a balloon race, organized also came in costume to join last summer by Whitbreads Brewery, a in the fun, £600 was raised for cheque for £508 was presented to the the RNLI. photograph by courtesy of RNLI at Whitbreads' Southern Belle 'Henley Standard' public house in Gillingham, Kent, on October 28, 1981; the presentation was Regulations for the Prevention of Colli- made by Alan Cameron, chairman of sions at Sea applied; no acts of piracy Medway's Celtic Shipping Line. A raf- were permitted and serious clodding fle run during the evening raised was expressly discouraged. Even so, the another £227 and the winner of the first race instructions said: 'The doers dare prize, a half gallon of whisky, was Gil- at their own risk'. After the race, the lingham branch assistant box secretary, vessels were auctioned and the total of Mrs Mary Atkins. the lifeboat's nest egg amounted to £1,241.39, with a donation also going to When Emma, William and Tom the Ocean Youth Club. Brooks collect 'pennies for the guy', all Hurst Green and Villages branch. the money they are given goes to Rich- East Sussex, which has only recently mond-with-Kew branch; in 1980 they been founded, accepted the generous collected £14, in 1981 £20.97. The offer of Dr and Mrs Kruisinga Van branch held its first sponsored knit-in Beek to hold a cheese and wine party at last autumn, raising about £200. Wool their home, Fontridge Manor, Etching- left over was gathered up by a local At Easier last \ear Mrs Shirley Norris of Brix- hain ladies' guild opened a 'staircase' stall in ham, in October. A large number of hairdresser who invites clients to knit the limited space of an estate agents forecourt, raffle prizes were given, including an squares while their hair is being dried; by kind permission of Stan Churchill. The iced cake decorated as an RNLI flag, eventually the squares will be made up £1,000 taken helped to bring the guild total for and this very enjoyable evening raised into a bedspread and auctioned for the the vear to a new record, a/most £10,000. £346.92 for the lifeboats. lifeboat service. 64 West Street Garage Saab Centre, For the past six years Dame Elsie and Over £370 was raised for the RNLI by Fishguard, received a cheque from Derry Abbot have held a bring and buy a barn dance and supper held on Buckingham Palace last November in sale for Hampstead Garden Suburb November 20, 1981, by Sutton, Cheam payment for work undertaken by the branch at their home. Last November a and Worcester Park branch. It was garage on the state Rolls-Royce during splendid £122 was raised. attended by more than 180 guests in- the visit of the Prince and Princess of cluding the Mayor and Mayoress of Sut- Wales. The proprietor. Ray Putterill A wine and cheese party held at Blyth ton, Councillor and Mrs Keith Martin. decided to donate the money, £40.25, to ladies' guild in the home of Brian and Fishguard lifeboat station. Eileen Gallon went with such a swing Godalming Youth Club, which has that the guests were reluctant to leave! adopted the RNLI as its charity, has And, when all expenses had been paid, raised more than £2,000 for Newhaven Saltburn ladies' guild raffled a bottle this enjoyable evening had raised lifeboat station. of cognac kindly donated by Martell in £426.57. A further £259.25 was brought November. With £195.55 taken on tick- in by Blyth's annual Christmas draw, Cardiff ladies' guild has had a highly ets and another £135.70 for refresh- for which there was a marvellous selec- successful 12 months during which it ments on the day of the draw, £331.25 tion of 28 prizes. raised: £833 from three coffee morn- was raised for the RNLI. ings; £346 at a musical evening; £137 for Rochford and District (Essex) branch afternoon teas at a Danish food demon- News of a successful 1980/81 fund- has only a small territory but neverthe- stration; £2,438 from flag day collec- raising year comes in from all sides: less last year raised £1,400, trebling its tions; and £2,524 at the annual salmon Wells branch, which among its other previous total. One unexpected boost luncheon at St Donat's Castle. activities manned the South West Dis- came from the eight Rochford pubs trict's stall for one day at the Royal which organised a pram race on the When the American yachting maga- Bath and West Show for the first time, Royal wedding day, raising £311 for the zine Rudder reproduced a cartoon raised £2,314 during the year. The Bris- RNLI. drawn by Bill Beavis which had first tol and District Fishponds branch raised appeared in the British Motor Boat and £6.000 of which £615.83 came from Party revellers at the annual lifeboat Yachting, the fee of 25 dollars was tombolas with prizes of teddy bears and dance at William Penn School, Rick- donated to the RNLI at the request of footballs. Wroxham and District mansworth, last October reflected an M B and Y's editor, Alex McMullen. branch, a small, hardworking commit- international theme in their fancy dress. tee, beat its previous record to raise While lands as far away as Japan and more than £2,500. Mexico were represented, one guest wore a 200-year-old Welsh costume. Since its inaugural meeting last The £850 raised was shared between November, Bournville and District Chorleywood and Rickmansworth branch has already raised £600 and en- branch and the King George V Fund for rolled 61 members. Anyone in the area Sailors. who would like to help is warmly invited to get in touch with the honorary secret- Legends have built up at South- ary, Mrs Carolyn Gibbins, 8 Sycamore borough around a mythical 'lifeboat of Road, Bournville, Birmingham. Holden Pond', but the Friends of Southborough Lifeboat (FOSL) not Joan Manning, previously district only enjoy their make belief, they put it organising secretary of the Midland to practical use. Last autumn, at the Im- During the recent Go/den Wonder promotion Shires, gathered 14 ladies into her home perial public house, where the nucleus of FOSL meets, they presented to where money, in exchange for tokens from last November for a sponsored knit-in, crisp packets, was donated to the RNLI, the providing a ploughman's lunch for the Southborough branch a cheque for £300 raised through a charity tennis match, a pupils of Chennestone Middle School, Sun- occasion. £147.25 was raised for the bury-on-Thames, collected 1,500 tokens. At a RNLI and the squares will be made into sponsored 20-mile walk, a car rally and rate of 5p donated for every 10 tokens re- a blanket to be given to an elderly lady a raffle. ceived, the RNLI benefited by £7.50. Claire, in the area. Sarah, Emma and Kirsteen help with the arduous task of counting all the tokens.

In a little over five years George Treadway (1), landlord of the Victoria, Shrivenham, col- lected nearly £2,000 for Faringdon branch, The sale o/The 1980 Northern Ireland Soc- largely through collecting boxes on either end cer Year Book edited bv Malcolm Brodie and of his single bar—and through his own infec- published by Howard Publications has raised tious enthusiasm! When Coxswain Frank Ide £595 for the RNLI. This book of statistical The Botnere Romanies, one of the more un- (r) and Second Assistant Mechanic David information is purchased not only by home usual entries in she 1981 Shrewsbury branch Coles (c) of Poole lifeboat paid a second visit enthusiasts but by fans as far away as Finland, raft race on the River Severn, an event held on to the branch on December 17 they brought Japan and Eastern Europe. The cheque the last Saturday in Julv each vear. More than their own gift for Mr Treadway, a photograph was presented by Mr Brodie to Mrs May 60 craft took part in the mile-and-a-quarter of their 44ft Waveney lifeboat, Augustine McMaster, area organiser (Northern Ireland). race, raising nearly £4,000. Courtauld. photograph by courtesy of the photograph by courtesy of photograph by courtesy of 'Shropshire Star' •Wiltshire Gazette and Herald' 'Belfast Telegraph' 65 Exmouth Awards M. Handoll Crew Member 14 years. Fishguard to Coxswains, Crews W. D. Hughes Second Coxswain 7'/2 years and Shore Helpers Crew Member 5 years. Fowev The following coxswains, members of lifeboat creii's and shore helpers N. Keep Assistant Mechanic 14 years were awarded certificates of sen-ice on their retirement and, in addition. Crew Member 6 years. those entitled to them bv the Institution's regulations, were awarded an annuity , gratuitv or pension. Hastings H. Benton Assistant Mechanic 12 years. R. Shoesmith Second Assistant Mechanic 7 years Aberdeen Crew Member 5 years. A. W. Bird Coxswain 9 years Second Coxswain 3 years Helensburgh Crew Member* 3 years A. M. Nicholson Crew Member* 13 years. Silver medal 1974.' Hoylake Aberystwyth T. H. Jones Coxswain 7 years D. E. Jenkins Crew Member* 17 years. Second Coxswain 1 1 years Crew Member 26 years Amble Bronze medal 1979. H. R. Matthews Crew Member* 10 years. Humber Anstruther R. F. Sayers Assistant Mechanic 1 1 years D. R. Jack. HEM Motor Mechanic 35 years. Crew Member 3 years.

D. Smith Launcher 21 years. Ilfracombe M. Joel Crew Member 16 years. Ballycotton J. R. Sliney Second Coxswain 8 years Islay Crew Member 26 years. A. Campbell Coxswain 6 years Second Coxswain IVi years Barrow Crew Member 2'/2 years. F. Moore. HEM Motor Mechanic 27 years Assistant Mechanic 16 years ixilmore Crew Member 2 years J. J. Connick Second Coxswain 8 years Crew Member* 8'/2 years Crew Member 4 years. Bronze medal 1943. Kirkcudbright Broughty Ferry C. Devlin Crew Member 28 years. A. D. MacKay Crew Member 14 years Crew Member* 14 years. The Lizard-Cadgwith P. T. Mitchell Winchman 29 years Buckie Shore Helper 13 years. R. J. Davidson Acting Second Coxswain 4 years Crew Member 24 years. Margate Campbeltown A. W. Lacey, BEM Motor Mechanic 34 years E. Lafferty Crew Member 28 years. Assistant Mechanic 7'/t years. J. Lang Crew Member 26 years. Montrose A. Mowatt Assistant Mechanic 19 years A. McArthur Crew Member 26 years. Crew Member 3 years. J. N. Mactaggart Crew Member 10 years. Mudeford Donaghadee R. Bishop Crew Member* 17'/2 years. J. H. Simpson Second Coxswain 13 years V. Derham Crew Member* 13 years. Crew Member 20 years Bowman 1 year. M. J. Parker Crew Member* 17'/2 years.

Dover M. W. Parker Crew Member* 17 years. J. J. Smith Crew Member 13 years. S. Prichard Crew Member* 13 years.

Dunbar R. J. Sheppard Crew Member* 10 years. R. M. Davies Coxswain 2 'A years A. Stride Crew Member* 17'/2 years. Crew Member 13 years Crew Member* 13 years. R. Stride Crew Member* 10 '/2 years. B. Watson Crew Member* 15 years. Eastbourne D. A. Huggett Coxswain/Mechanic 11 years Newbiggin Coxswain 4 years G. R. Dawson Coxswain 5 years Second Coxswain 4 years Assistant Mechanic 10 years Crew Member 2 years. Crew Member 9 years. J. A. Hall Second Assistant Mechanic 12 years J. Arkle Crew Member 34 years. Crew Member 6 years Bowman 4'/t years D. Armstrong Crew Member 19 years. Shore Helper 13 years. D. G. Brown Crew Member 18 years. G. D. Robinson Crew Member 14 years.

"Lifeboats under 10 metres. North Berwick t.f. J. Thorburn Crew Member* 13'/2 years. North Sunderland Salcombe J. Hanvey Assistant Mechanic 4 years E. W. Hannaford Second Coxswain/Mechanic 8% years Crew Member 17 years Motor Mechanic 10% years Crew Member* 9 years. Crew Member 22 years.

Port Erin Sheringham A. P. Maddrell Assistant Mechanic 81/; years E. R. Wink Bowman 1 year Crew Member 5 years. Crew Member 40 years. Shoreham Portpatrick K. F. D. Voice H. Campbell Coxwain 6 years Coxswain 6 years Second Coxswain 8 years Second Coxswain 4 years Crew Member 15 years. Crew Member 8 years Crew Member* 1 1 years M. E. S. Burgess Assistant Mechanic 3'/» years Silver medal 1980. Second Assistant Mechanic lOVh years Crew Member 9 years. Sunderland D. Shaw Head Launcher 12 years Portrush Crew Member 6 years. A. H. McQuilken Crew Member 14 years. Teesmouth R. T. Race Second Coxswain 12 years Redcar Crew Member 13 years. G. E. Price Motor Mechanic 7'/t years Crew Member 3'/2 years. W. A. Bird Crew Member 15 years. J. F. Benbow Assistant Mechanic 8!/i years E. R. Copeman Crew Member 10 years. Crew Member 6 years H. Hurst, MBE Crew Member* 12 years. Crew Member 14 years Winchman 4 years Head Launcher 2 years. St David's W. T. Morris Coxswain 13 years L. Oliver Crew Member 10 years Second Coxswain 12 years Winchman 6 years. Crew Member 8 years Bronze medal 1978. Tighnabruaich M. Black Crew Member* 10 years. B. J. Davies Assistant Mechanic 16 years Crew Member 9 years. Walmer I. J. Chapman Crew Member 12 years. H. Mercer Shore Helper 14 years.

St Msrv's Wick R. Lethbridge Bowman 28% years J. M. Malcolm Second Coxswain 1 1 '/: years Crew Member 7 years. Crew Member 10 years. H. Simpson Motor Mechanic 4 years St Peter Port Assistant Mechanic 5 years. J. H. Petit Coxswain 16'/2 years W. Malcolm Crew Member 20 years. Crew Member 12 years Silver medal 1978 Youghal Bronze medal 1963 C. B. Hennessy Coxswain 11 years First bar to his bronze medal 1975 Crew Member 15 years. Second bar to his bronze medal 1977 Third bar to his bronze medal 1979. D. Murphy- Crew Member 34 years.

RNLI national lottery amounts since the lotteries began. The Kent; Elin Gibbon. Church Strctton, prizewinners were: Shropshire; Mrs S. Buxton. Orping- ton, Kent; Sandra Trevor, North Fin- 'It's a great pleasure to be here', said £l,000:Mrs R. Guy Phelps, Glastonbury, chley, London; C. R. Thompson, Clive Dunn who visited RNLI Head- Somerset. Coventry, Warwickshire; Mr and Mrs quarters to draw the sixteenth national £500:Stella Keenan, Loughborough, W. G. Baynton, Crowthorne, Berk- lottery. 'Anything we do is done with Leicestershire. shire; R. J. Hunt, Woking, Surrey; J. great gratitude and affection for the life- £250:B. A. Williams, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd. Hodge, Worcester. boat people'. Clive, who was appearing £50:D. Roberts, Grove Park, London; Captain P. J. Spencer, Bridford, Exe- The draw for the seventeenth nation- in pantomime in Bournemouth, was ter; D. J. Chappell, Gillingham, al lottery will be on April 30, 1982. accompanied by Melanie Parr, Gill Offord and Victoria Blake who played Cinderella, Dandini and the Fairy re- spectively. The draw took place on Fri- day January 29 and was supervised by Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a deputy chairman of the RNLI, and Clive Dunn, a long time sup- Anthony Oliver, who succeeded Cdr porter of the RNLI, visited Ted Pritchard as Appeals Secretary at Poole Headquarters while the beginning of 1982. Among those appearing in Bournemouth to witnessing the draw were 12 boys from draw the sixteenth national lottery. Clive was accompa- the local Oakmead School who later nied by three other members presented Clive with a cheque for of the pantomime cast; (I to r) £61.50, raised by a sponsored poetry Victoria Blake, the Fairy, reading at school. Over £33,000 was Melanie Parr, Cinderella, raised by the lottery, one of the highest and Gill Offord, Dandini. 67 HOW YOU CAN HELP THE LIFEBOATMEN

JOIN your local branch or guild JOIN Shoreline, the membership scheme HELP on flag days BUY RNLI gifts and souvenirs SELL lottery tickets GI V E a coffee morning COLLECT used stamps or foreign coins

For further information write to: APPEALS SECRETARY, ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION, WEST QUAY ROAD, POOLE, DORSET, BH15 1HZ.

When you have read your copy of THE LIFEBOAT, please pass it on

\ I The complete insurance and I I financial service for supporters of RN1I I HOUSE CONTENTS CAR INSURANCE YACHT INVESTMENT/SAVINGS RETIREMENT PLANS

SEND FOR YOUR COPY OF THE BROCHURE 1 To AEGIS INSURANCE SERVICES (GROUP) LTD., FREEPOST, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5BU Name (Mr., Mrs.,Miss). Please send me, without obligation, my personal copy of the complete insurance and investment service brochure. No postage necessary if posted in the U.K. Date of Birth. I I am particularly interested in the following (tick box required) Address G Family Protection/Life Assurance G Car Insurance G Review of existing Life Assurance Plans G Household Insurance I n Investmentforfuture House Purchase G Insuranceof Valuables D Finances in Retirement D Yacht and Craft Insurance Tel. No: (Day), I D Tax efficient Investment G Please phone me to discuss Tel.No: (Evening). Please ring for an appointment and see us at any of our principal offices: I ^k Belfast 0202332 47747 Maidenhead 0628 23484 Bristol 0272 297777 Sheffield 0742 364405 Yeovil 0935 20044 Whatever your insurance and investment needs, AEGIS will advise you 68 shore immediately directed the Atlantic three lifeboatmen were washed off their Lifeboat Services to the casualty. The man was floating, feet along the deck. from page 50 face down, about 300 yards from the Once the line was made fast the yacht shore. The first attempt to come along- was towed into the shelter of Orford- side him failed, manoeuvring the boat ness and on to Harwich Harbour. The in the prevailing conditions proving dif- lifeboat returned to Aldeburgh at 0623 held on to him until another boat came ficult. So Helmsman Barker instructed and was beached and once again ready to his assistance. Meanwhile, one of the Crew Member Linstedt, a swimmer, to for service by 0725. teenage rescuers hung on to the board- enter the water. Lars Linstedt suc- For this service a letter of apprecia- ing boat while the other was subse- ceeded in turning the man face upwards tion signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief quently recovered by the second boat. and with the help of the throwing line of operations, was sent to Coxswain On landing the fisherman on the pier, returned with the casualty to the boat. William V. Burrell, BEM, Acting Second Brendan Madden first gave him resus- Helmsman Barker deflated a section of Coxswain Colin Smith, Motor Mech- citation and then continued to take care the starboard sponson so that the man anic Nigel A. Saint, Assistant Mechanic of him until an ambulance arrived. Af- could be brought aboard more easily. John A. McMullan and Crew Members ter ten days in hospital, the fisherman With the aid of the Brooke Airway Maurice H. Smith, Douglas G. Cook was once again home and well. mouth to mouth resuscitation was im- and Frederick S. F. Sharland. For this service letters of appreciation mediately started and the breathing of signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, the casualty revived. director of the Institution, were sent to At 1012' a helicopter from RAF East Division Second Coxswain/Mechanic J. Brendan Chivenor arrived overhead. The man Madden, Larry Dineen and Donal was air-lifted to Cardiff for transfer to Not under command Traynor. hospital but died while in the ambu- lance on the way. A MESSAGE came to Yarmouth Coast- By 1042 the Atlantic 21 was back at guard from Norfolk Police at 1700 on South West Division her slipway. The boat was expertly rec- Wednesday August 12, 1981, to say that overed in conditions which were as diffi- a speedboat was spinning round and Man in water cult as those experienced for launching. round out of control off South Beach, At 1115 she was rehoused, refuelled Heacham, and a child had been hit; an THE MUMBLES COASTGUARD telephoned and once again ready for service. ambulance was on its way. the honorary secretary of Atlantic Col- For this service a letter of apprecia- Hunstanton Coastguard Mobile was lege, St Donat's Castle, lifeboat station tion signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief despatched at 1710, and the lifeboat sta- at 0948 on Sunday May 24, 1981, to in- of operations, was sent to Helmsman tion informed. At 1715 Hunstanton's D form him that a man had been reported Michael Barker and Crew Members class inflatable lifeboat was launched off in the water off Witches Point, South- Lars Linstedt, Adrian Lunn and Arshad the beach manned by Helmsman Alan erndown Bay. The assembly klaxon was Mohammed, all students at the United Clarke and Crew Member Arthur sounded and within five minutes the sta- World College of the Atlantic. Osborne together with Shore Helper J. tion's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable life- Connors who went out as a third mem- boat was launched with Helmsman ber of the crew. Michael Barker at the controls. With East Division As the lifeboat approached the scene, him were Crew Members Lars Linstedt, about four miles south west of the sta- Adrian Lunn and Arshad Mohammed. Drifting in gale tion, her crew heard on the radio that a The launch was executed extremely man had been recovered from the water quickly despite very difficult conditions. A DUTCH YACHT, the 42ft Ran I, reported and was on his way to hospital. When The time of high water was 1035 so that at 2238 on Thursday June 4, 1981, that they arrived they found that the speed- the launch had to take place at the top she was in difficulties in the vicinity of boat, unoccupied except for a dog, was of the slipway. This meant that not only Shipwash Lightvessel; her engine had circling at full power about 120 yards off did the crew and launchers have to con- broken down and she was drifting in the beach. The inflatable lifeboat first tend with the moderately rough south- gale force winds. She had nine people made a cautious approach to the speed- westerly swell coming in from the sea, on board. boat's starboard side, but had to with- but also with the return surge when this Great Yarmouth Coastguard alerted draw because of ski lines in the water. swell hit the castle wall bordering the a helicopter from RAF Coltishall which She next tried to come up from astern, slipway. was already airborne on a night exercise but the speedboat was too fast. The life- Although the weather was good a and, at 2242, Aldeburgh Coastguard boat then tried to approach the speed- fresh breeze, force 5, was blowing from telephoned the honorary secretary of boat's port side, which was high out of the south west and the sea and swell Aldeburgh lifeboat station. Aldeburgh's the water. After two unsuccessful were moderate to rough. Nevertheless, 42ft Beach lifeboat Charles Dlbdin attempts. Helmsman Clarke timed it full speed was maintained throughout (Civil Service No. 32) launched at 2259 just right on the third run in and Crew the passage and the four-mile distance, under the command of Coxswain Wil- Member Osborne, at great personal going through Nash Sound, was covered liam Burrell. risk, was able to dive aboard and bring in seven minutes. It was a bad night with a force 8 gale the boat under control. It was now On arrival at the scene an angler on blowing from west south west and very 1730. He landed the boat and the dog rough seas, although visibility was on the beach and the lifeboat had re- good. The tide was half flood. turned to her station by 1752. Broken steering gear At first the lifeboat headed east south It was later learnt that a water skier THE WINTER 1981/82 issue of THE LIFE- east towards what was thought to be the had fallen over. His father, driving the BOAT contained a report of a service by casualty's position, but the helicopter speedboat, leant over the stern of the Whitstable lifeboat to a catamaran, sighted the yacht further south and boat to talk to his son and fell into the Rumpleteazer; which had broken her directed the lifeboat to the new posi- propeller. steering gear in a near gale while on tion. The lifeboat came up with Ran I, For this service a letter signed by Cdr passage from London to the West 5'/2 miles south east of Aldeburgh sta- Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, ex- Country. The catamaran Rumpleteazer tion, at 2335. She then went alongside pressing the Institution's appreciation owned by Peter Ellis and based at the yacht, helped by illumination from to Helmsman Alan J. Clarke and Crew Woolverstone, Ipswich, was in no way the helicopter's searchlight, and passed Members Arthur E. Osborne and J. involved in the incident. a tow line. It was not an easy operation Connors was sent to Hunstanton station in that rough weather and at one time honorary secretary, Mr J. T. Day. 69 Clovelly, North Devon times). 19 (seven times), 26. 27 (twice), 29, Lifeboat Services, 70ft Clyde: September 13 (twice) October 4. 10 (twice). 18 and 28 Conwy, Gwynedd Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire September, October D class inflatable: September 20. November Atlantic 21: September 9. 10, 30, October and November, 1981 22 and 29 26, November 15.21 and 28 Craster, Northumberland Holyhead, Gwynedd D class inflatable: September 4 52ft Barnett: September 19, 20, October 14 Criccieth, Gwynedd and November 2 D class inflatable: September 20 and Aberdovey, Gwynedd D class inflatable: October 2 October 3 Relief Atlantic 21: September 18 and Cromer, Norfolk October 6 48ft 6in Oakley: November 30 Howth, Co Dublin 47ft Watson: September 9, October 8 and 9 Abersoch, Gwynedd D class inflatable: September 16 D class inflatable: September 6 Atlantic 21: September 11 and October 11 Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear Hoylake, Merseyside Aberystwyth, Dyfed D class inflatable: September 4, 7, 19, 23, 30 37ft din Rather: September 23 D class inflatable: September 13 and 26 and October 18 Humber, Humberside Aith, Shetland Donaghadee, Co Down 54ft Arun: September 2, 20, 22. 27. 30. 52ft Barnett: September 11, 26 and October 44ft Waveney: November 23 October 7, 12, 14, 15, 22. 23, 24, November 12 Douglas, Isle of Man 7 and 19 Aldeburgh, Suffolk 46ft 9in Watson: September 11 Hunstanton, Norfolk 42ft Beach: September 18 Dover, Kent D class inflatable: October 11 and 18 50ft Thames: October 7, 10. 11, 17 (twice). D class inflatable: September 13 and 16 Relief D class inflatable: October 28 19, 20. November 9 and 15 Ilfracombe, North Devon Angle, Dyfed Dungeness, Kent Relief 37ft Oakley: September 6 46ft 9in Watson: September 20 and 25 37ft 6in Rather: September 5 (twice) and Invergordon, Ross-shire Arklow, Co Wicklow October 3 Relief 52ft Barnett: September 5 and 28 42ft Watson: October 23 Relief 37ft Oakley: November 21 Islay, Argyllshire Arranmore, Co Donegal Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin 50ft Thames: September 8, 9. 11 and 52ft Barnett: September 3, October 21, 29, 44ft Waveney: September 19 and October 9 November 21 31, November 12 and 26 Dunmore East, Co Wexford Relief 52ft Burnett: October 7 and Atlantic College (St Donat's Castle), South 44ft Waveney: October 12 November 3 Glamorgan Eastbourne, East Sussex Kinghorn, Fife Relief At/antic 21: September 2 37ft 6in Rather: September 16. October 19 D class inflatable: October 24 Ballycotton, Co Cork and November 1 Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire Relief 52ft Barnett: September 6, October D class inflatable: September 12. 16 and 18 37ft Oakley: October 8 and November 15 18, November 1 and 12 Exmouth, South Devon Kirkwall, Orkney Baltimore, Co Cork 48ft 6in Solent: September 29 and October 8 70ft Clvde: October 6. 7 and November 1 47ft Watson: October 17, 19 and D class inflatable: September 2, 8, 13, 29 November 16 and October 21 Largs, Ayrshire Bangor, Co Down Falmouth, Cornwall Atlantic 21: September 16, 18, 27 (five D class inflatable: September 1 and 9 52ft Arun: October 7 times), October 1, 7. 8 and 12 Barmouth, Gwynedd Filey, North Yorkshire Relief At/antic 21: November 2 35ft (tin Liverpool: September 28 (twice) 37ft Oakley: September 7 and November 20 Lerwick, Shetland and October 2 D class inflatable: September 7 52ft Arun: November 7 Barra Island, Inverness-shire Fishguard, Dyfed Little and Broad Haven, Dyfed 52ft Barnett: September 26 and October 3 52ft Arun: September 27 and October 11 D class inflatable: September 5 Barrow, Cumbria Fleetwood, Lancashire Littlehampton, West Sussex D class inflatable: September 6, 19 and 27 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: September 1 Atlantic 21: September 12, 13, 15, 19 (twice) Barry Dock, South Glamorgan 44ft Waveney: October 9, 17. November 3. and October 3 52ft Arun: September 20 15 and 27 Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent Beaumaris, Gwynedd D class inflatable: September 17. October 4, Atlantic 21: October 20 Atlantic 21: September 18 17, November 17 and 27 Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall Bembridge, Isle of Wight Flint, Clwyd 52ft Barnett: September 19. October 16 and 48ft 6in Solent: September 19, 27. October 2 D class inflatable: September 23, October 4, November 10 and 3 5 and 23 Llandudno (Orme's Head), Gwynedd D class inflatable: September 18 Fowey, Cornwall 37ft Oakley: September 20 and November 29 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland 46ft 9in Watson: September 19 D class inflatable: September 27 Atlantic 21: September 13 and October 6 Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire Relief D class inflatable: October 19. Blackpool, Lancashire 48ft 6in Solent: September 19. 20 and November 22 and 29 D class inflatables: September 1, 14, 23, October 13 Lochinver, Sutherland October 16, 25 (twice), November 3 and 15 Galway Bay, Co Galway 52ft Barnett: November 16 Bridlington, Humberside 52ft Barnett: October 29, November 9 and 10 Longhope, Orkney Relief 37ft Oakley: September 11 and 26 Girvan, Ayrshire 48ft 6in Solent: September 8 (twice) 42ft Watson: September 23 Lowestoft, Suffolk Brighton, East Sussex Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk 47ft Watson: November 5, 14 and 27 Relief Atlantic 21: September 13, 21, 22, 26 44ft Waveney: September 13. 19 and Lyme Regis, Dorset and October 24 October 7 Atlantic 21: September 16 and 28 Broughty Ferry, Angus Relief 44ft Waveney: October 19 and 23 Lymington, Hampshire Relief D class inflatable: September 5, 17 Atlantic 21: September 1 (twice), 6. 23 and Atlantic 21: September 29, November 8 and and 21 October 4 28 D class inflatable: October 10 Hartlepool, Cleveland Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex 44ft Wavenev: September 13, November 7, 46ft 9in Watson: September 1 and D class inflatable: September 18 (twice) and 17 and 23 November 15 October 24 Atlantic 21: October 17 D class inflatable: September 20 and Burry Port, Dyfed Harwich, Essex November 1 D class inflatable: September 13 and Relief Atlantic 21: September 12 and 17 Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire October 25 Atlantic 21: October 10 and 17 D class inflatable: September 27 Calshot, Hampshire Hastings, East Sussex Mallaig, Inverness-shire 40ft Keith Nelson: September 18, 19 (four 37ft 6in Oaklev: September 26 and October 52ft Barnett: September 21, 23 and times), 22, October 2, 3 and 7 28 November 9 Campbeltown, Argyllshire Relief D class inflatable: September 2 and 6 Margate, Kent 52ft Arun: September 1, 28 and October 2 D class inflatable: October 7. 24 and 37ft 6in Rather: September 5. 12, 26 (twice), Clacton-on-Sea, Essex November 10 October 25 and November 16 37ft Oakley: October 21 Hayling Island, Hampshire D class inflatable: September 12 (twice), 26. D class inflatable: September 13 (twice) Atlantic 21: Septembers, 6, 12. 13 (three October 5 (twice) and November 16 70 Minehead, Somerset Port Talbot, West Glamorgan Skerries, Co Dublin At/antic 21: September 23, 27 (twice), D class inflatable: September 8 and Relief D class inflatable: September 15 October 12 and November 25 November 24 Southend-on-Sea, Essex D class inflatable: September 6 and 27 Queensferry, West Lothian Atlantic 21: September 12, 13 (twice), 18, Moelfre, Gwynedd Atlantic 21: September 25, 26, 28, October 19, 23, 24. 27, October 2, 9, 14, 17 (twice). 37ft 6in Rather: November 28 10, 19, November 4 and 14 (twice) 21, 26 and November 29 (twice) Montrose, Angus Ramsey, Isle of Man D class inflatable: September 18. 20 and Relief 48ft 6in Solent: September 29 37ft Oakley: September 18 and November 3 October 8 Morecambe, Lancashire Ramsgate, Kent Southwold, Suffolk Relief D class inflatable: October 27 Relief 44ft Waveney: September 13, 24, Relief Atlantic 21: September 6 and October Mudeford, Dorset October 10, 22 and 24 (twice) 11 and November 8 D class inflatable: September 2. 7 and 21 18ft 6in McLachlan: September 5, 13, Staithes and Runswick, North Yorkshire The Mumbles, West Glamorgan October 1 and 16 Atlantic 21: September 10 and 15 47ft Watson: September 6. October 9. 26 Redcar, Cleveland Stonehaven, Kincardineshire and November 24 37ft Oakley: November 1 D class inflatable: September 26 Newbiggin, Northumberland D class inflatable: October 4 Stornoway (Lewis), Ross-shire At/antic 21: September 26 and November 22 Rhyl, Clwyd 48ft din Solent: September 2 and 21 New Brighton, Merseyside 37ft Oakley: September 3 and October 2 Stranraer, Wigtownshire Atlantic 21: September 2.13 and October 13 D class inflatable: September 1, 2 and 10 D class inflatable: September 7 Newcastle, Co Down Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford Sunderland, Tyne and Wear 37ft Oakley: October 2 48ft 6in Solent: November 4 47ft Watson: September 6 and October 15 Newhaven, East Sussex Rye Harbour, East Sussex D class inflatable: September 13 and 44ft Waveney: September 9 and October 4 D class inflatable: September 2, October 3 October 8 Relief 44ft Waveney: October 11, 19, 21. 24 (twice) and October 17 Swanage, Dorset and November 12 St Agnes, Cornwall 37ft din Rather: September 19, October 7 Newquay, Cornwall D class inflatable: September 25 and and 26 D class inflatable: September 6 October 27 Tenby, Dyfed St David's, Dyfed 46ft 9in Watson: September 1, 30, October 1 Oban, Argyllshire Relief 46ft 9in Watson: October 18 42ft Watson: September 8, 21 and and 7 St Helier, Channel Islands D class inflatable: September 3, 9, 12 November 9 44ft Waveney: September 3, October 2,3. 18ft 6in McLachlan: October 15 and 26 (twice), 20 and October 25 10, 11, November 8 and 13 Thurso, Caithness Padstow, Cornwall St Ives, Cornwall 48ft din Solent: October 27 48ft 6in Oakley: September 8 and October 2 37ft Oakley: October 11, 21, 27, November Torbay, South Devon (twice) 3, 5, 19 and 30 Relief 52ft Arun: September 12, 16 and Peel, Isle of Man D class inflatable: September 5, 7, 16, October 5 Atlantic 21: September 4, 5, October 23 and October 27 and 29 54ft Arun: November 10. 15, 22 and 28 24 St Mary's, Scilly Isles 18ft din McLachlan: September 23 and Penarth, South Glamorgan 52ft Arun: November 8 October 6 D class inflatable: September 15. 18, 20 and St Peter Port, Channel Islands Troon, Ayrshire November 22 52ft Arun: September 21, 24, October 3, 7, Relief 44ft Waveney: September 20 (twice) Penlee, Cornwall 10, 17 and November 11 and 27 47ft Watson: September 6 and 26 Salcombe, South Devon Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Plymouth, South Devon 47ft Watson: November 15 52ft Arun: October 18 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: October 27, Scarborough, North Yorkshire D class inflatable: November 12 November 7, 13 and 15 (twice) 37ft Oakley: November 30 Walmer, Kent 18ft 6in McLachlan: October 13 Selsey, West Sussex 37ft din Rather: September 14, 19 and Poole, Dorset 48ft 6in Oakley: September 15, 20, 28 and October 20 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: September 19 and October 25 Relief 42ft Watson: October 24, November October 6 Sennen Cove, Cornwall 15, 16 and 30 Dell Quay Dory: September 13, 19. October 37ft 6in Rather: September 1 and 19 Walton and Frinton, Essex 18, November 7 and 18 Relief 37ft Oakley: November 19 48ft din Oakley: October 9, 10 and 12 (three Portaferry, Co Down Sheerness, Kent times) D class inflatable: September 4 and 6 (twice) 44ft Waveney: September 19, 23, 30, Relief 47ft Watson: October 28 Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan October 9, 11, 17, November 1 and 24 D class inflatable: November 24 D class inflatable: September 5, 15, 23, Wells, Norfolk 37ft Oakley: September 23 and November 20 Port Isaac, Cornwall October 2, 8. 9, 11, 13 (three times), 17. West Kirby, Merseyside D class inflatable: September 18 November 9 and 15 Relief D class inflatable: September 23, Portrush, Co Antrim Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex October 16, 17 and November 9 52ft Arun: September 26, October 2, 10, 20 37ft din Rather: October 9 West Mersea, Essex and November 15 D class inflatable: September 12, 13 and Relief 52ft Barnett: November 19 Atlantic 21: September 1. 20 and November October 17 14 Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour), Relief D class inflatable: September 19. Hampshire October 8 and 9 Weston-super-Mare, Avon 18ft din McLachlan: September 1 (twice) Atlantic 21: September 13. 19 (twice), 26. Silloth, Cumbria and October 17 October 8, 31 and November 29 Atlantic 21: November 11 and 16 D class inflatable: September 1 (twice), 10, D class inflatable: September 13, 26, Skegness, Lincolnshire 29. October 17 and 21 October 8 and 11 37ft Oakley: October 14, 16, 27 and Weymouth, Dorset Port St Mary, Isle of Man November 12 54ft Arun: September 3. 6 and 29 54ft Arun: September 4 D class inflatable: September 7, 11 and 23 Whitby, North Yorkshire 44ft Waveney: October 4 (twice), 8. 11, 18, 25 and November 23 D class inflatable: September 13 Whitstable, Kent SERVICES AND LIVES RESCUED BY THE RNLI'S LIFEBOATS Atlantic 21: September 18, October 2 and January 1, 1981, to December 31, 1981: Services 2,951; lives saved 1,053 November 16 THE STATION FLEET Withernsea, Humberside (as at 31/12/81) D class inflatable: September 13 and 259 lifeboats, of which four 18ft 6in McLachlan and October 1 65 D class inflatable lifeboats operate in summer only Workington, Cumbria LIVES RESCUED 107,627 46ft 9in Watson: October 25 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to 31/12/81, including shoreboat services Yarmouth, Isle of Wight 52ft Arun: September 19 (twice). 23, 29 (twice), 30, October 7. 20 and 30 71 Index to Advertisers Page Adventure Wear Ltd 68 Aegis Insurance Services (Group) Ltd 68 Birds Eye Foods Ltd Inside Front Cover Holidays 38 Maritime Books (Readers Union Ltd) Back Cover Mercantile Credit Inside Back Cover Quire Demy Ltd 38 Temple Insurance Brokers Ltd Inside Back Cover Classified Advertisements Wordage: £5.50 per .single column centimetre (minimum charge £16.50). NB: The minimum space of 3cm takes about 45 words at 15 McLachlan Launch built for private use by Wm Osborne. G.R.P. words per cm. ragged chine. Twin economical Perkins 4108 dicscls, 180 hrs only. With illustration: £12 per single column centimetre (minimum charge Cruise 20 knots. 20ft x 8ft x 2ft. Fabulous sea keeping. RNLI hull. Full details from owner: 041 638 3063 (evenings). £36). ALL CLASSIFIED MUST BE PRE-PA1D. DORSET. Close to Poole with its harbour, THE GIFT OR PRESENTATION miles of safe sandy beaches, dunes and cliffs. WITH A DIFFERENCE! HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION Golf 250 yards. Ride, walk or just relax in UNCANNILY ACCURATE MINIATURE MOUNT LODGE HOTEL is just a few small licensed hotel with fireside comfort and MODELS AND WALL PLAQUES OF minutes from the centre of Poole and good fresh food. Open all year and special YACHTS, SAILING BARGES, LIFEBOATS Bournemouth in the delightful surroundings weekend rates. Fairlight Hotel, Broadstone AND OTHER VESSELS of Alum Chine. If you are looking for value BH18 8BE. Tel: 0202 694316. COMMISSIONED by maritime museums, for money, we think we are one of the best. collectors, yacht owners and clubs. RNLI Please allow us the opportunity to prove it. RYDE. loW. Modern holiday flatlets. Own lifeboats a speciality for enthusiasts and crew Beaulieu Road. Bournemouth. Tel: 0202 fridge, colour TV, WC. shower, keys. Free retirements. 761173. parking. Bed linen provided, S.a.e. for RNLI WALL PLAQUES a new high quality brochure. Resident proprietor is Hon. Sec. hand-crafted item with full-coloured RNLI of local branch. Saturday/Sunday bookings. flag in relief, mounted on varnished shield BRIXHAM. TORBAY. DEVON. Self- 6'/2" x 8W—£9.50 (P&P £2.25). Ideal for catering HOLIDAY APARTMENTS each Douglas Byrne G3KPO, 'Arlington House', Pellhurst Road. Ryde. 0983 62513. presentations with engraved plates with own comfortably furnished for up to 6 persons wording £2.50 extra—Brian Williams. (children over 6 years), fridges and televis- Marine Models. 'West Rock', The Cleave, ions of course. Superb position beside outer Discover the Isle of Man Kingsand, Nr Torpoint. Cornwall PL10 INF harbour, with fascinating views of the cease- and stay at the Peveril (0752-822638). less marine activity. Near boats, launching slip, beach and pool. Resident proprietors • Superbly situated MEDITERRANEAN VIA CANALS ensure cared-ior accommodation. are •Comfortable accommodation • Relaxed friendly atmosphere EXPERIENCED River and Canal Pilot (44 Shoreline and L.B.E.S. members. Descrip- tive brochures from G. A. Smith. 'Harbour Send for colour brochure to:- crossings) offers information and advice or will undertake delivery. Write: Capt. Ward. Lights'. 69 Berry Head Road. Tel: 08045 PEVERIL Port Erin Isle of Man 4816. 4 Graydon Avenue, Chichester PO19 2RF. HOTEL Telephone 0624 833117 Phone: 0243 784700. JOHN AND LIZ RANKIN welcome you to the OLD HALL HOTEL. RUSWARP, TORQUAY. THE SHRUBBERY is a FUND RAISING WHITBY. Our delightful Jacobean Hall Victorian Villa situated in Chelston Village, bordering the glorious North Yorkshire close to harbour and beaches. Family-run Moors and coastline is ideal for fishing, boat- establishment providing homely atmosphere, ing, walking or relaxing. Twenty-bedroom excellent food, accommodation and a warm FUND-RAISERS family hotel, lounge, television lounge, res- welcome. BB and 4-course EM from £52.00 YOUR PROFIT taurant, bar. Associated with Whitby Life- per week. Telephone Christine or Mike for a brochure: 0803 605408. £18.00 boat. Brochure: Whitby (0947) 602801. per min. order

LEARN TO PAINT on holiday in Scotland; NORTH YORKSHIRE'S MARITIME BUY NOW - magnificent scenery; full board; professional WEEKENDS from Teesport to Flam- PAYLATER tuition; 16th season. Brochure: Julia borough Head. Organised by THE OLD HALL HOTEL. RUSWARP. WHITBY Details from Wroughton ARCA. Inniemore Lodge. Car- LANE & PARTNERS LTD. saig. Isle of Mull PA70 6HD or ring 06814 visiting lifeboat/coastguard stations, seafar- 59 South Audley Street, London W1 201. ing museums. Cook Country and the unique smuggler's coastal villages. Donations to SALCOMBE, S. DEVON. Spend a week or RNLI. Brochure: Whitby (0947) 602801. two on one of our Houseboats in one of the West Country's most picturesque natural MISCELLANEOUS harbours. Boats for 4-10 people with a motor FISHERMENS' SMOCKS. 100% cotton launch and dinghy included free. Special drill, navy or rust. All sizes £8.95 includes seasonal rates April-October. Further details postage. Trade enquiries welcome. Rockall Wear. 17 Fairfield Drive, Halesowen. West A family firm with a (0242) 512568. lifetime of experience Midlands. specializing in Fund-Raising at Fetes Advertisement Rates PAINTINGS LIFEBOAT OIL PAINTINGS on canvas Page £775 Half page £435 36" x 28". £52.00 post paid. Arun. Watson, Write or Telephone for FREE Illustrated Quarter page £260 Eighth page.... £165 Brochure featuring Equipment for Hire Waveney, Oakley, etc. by well-known Life- and Prizes supplied on Sale or Return Series rates where appropriate boat artist John Lee. Storm and rescue situations a speciality. Ideal for retirement PEEKS OF BOURNEMOUTH LTD Circulation of THE LIFEBOAT 100,000 Everything for Rates and Carnivals presentations or Lifeboat Fund raffles. TUCKTON BOURNEMOUTH DORSET BH63LD Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box 9, Satisfaction guaranteed. Send s.a.e to 9 TELEPHONE: 0202 429404 5 Godalming, Surrey. 04868 23675 Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset. Tel: (0305) 785960. 72 Sailing loan interest rates reduced for Shoreline members Now, as a Shoreline member, you're in a privileged position when it conies to financing your sailing. Shoreline Sailing Loans are available to members from Mercantile Credit at special interest rates below those charged on their standard marine loans. One of them can FREEPOSTs provide the cash you need to buy a boat, to refit, or even for major annual expenses like insurance. Then you can spread WE PROMISE the cost over regular instalments and so sail on a budget. SreEDY ANSWER Help the R.N.LI. as you help yourself p •• — •? Shorelin01 i- e Sailinn -t- g_ LoanT _.s_ wil-1l1 provid• j e a valuabli._-uie. • To: : Mr. . 1L. Fraser, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, source of revenue for the R.N.L.I., as well as saving you FREEPOST, PO. Box 75, London WC2B 5XA. i money. Each loan granted will provide a donation to the (No stamp required). i Institution, without the deduction of promotion, Name i administration or other costs. Address. i Non-members can apply for loans and join Shoreline simultaneously, and have their first year's membership paid 1204/JAN i for them. Mercantile Credit will make a £5 donation to I wish to borrow^ (please state amount if known) i Shoreline for each advance made to non-members, I AM/*AM NOT a member of Shoreline (*Delete as applicable). i entitling them to family membership for one year. i You can pick up a Shoreline Sailing Loan leaflet at your local branch of Mercantile Credit (see your telephone i directory for the address). Written quotations are available I I Mercantile Credit on request. L: • Boat Insurance for Shoreline Members (and other lifeboat' readers) Temple Insurance Brokers Ltd., specialist Personal Name Tel No Marine Craft Insurance details Address Brokers, Members of the Experience Onr.unation British Insurance Accident/Losses/Claims in last 5 years Yes/No (Details on separate sheet) Brokers Association, are Details Name ClassAType pleased to offer of craft Construction Year Built Shoreline Members and Length Beam ...... other 'Lifeboat' readers Engines HP Inboard/Outboard special terms for their Max. Designed Speed (Motor boats only) knots. Values Hull Machinery Equipment £ Trailer £ ... personal Yacht and Dinghy/Boats £ . . Outboat Motor £ Motor Boat insurance. TOTAL £ For a quotation without Use In commission from to (inclusive) obligation, please Moored at complete and post the Laid up from to Inclusive. Ashore/Afloat. enquiry form opposite. Cruising Area General (a) Are you entitled to No Claim Discount? years. No stamp required. (b) Do you wish to bear the first £25 D :£50D : £100 D : of any claim? Tick as applicable. OR RING POOLE (c) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Racing Risks, Water-Skiing, etc. (0202) TO FREE POST, Geoffrey Bere FCII, TEMPLE INSURANCE A 679444 BROKERS, 29 High Street, POOLE BH15 1BR. 24 Hour Answering Service f MARITIME BOOK BARGAINS from The No-Nonsense Book Society Tor All Who Love The Sea

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