D

THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI

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s~~\ -f/2kv>-f o Notes of the Quarter, by Patrick Howarth 255

Lifeboat Services ...... 257

_ _ i VT T\ T Revision of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea: V OlUrFie -/V-Ll V an introduction to an introduction, by Leslie J. Vipond, Inspector, Mobile Numbe._ r 459 Training Unit ...... 264 Head Protection for Lifeboat Crews, by Stuart Welford, BTBCH MIMCCHE MRINA, Research and Development Officer, RNLI ...... 265

Outboard: Watertight 266 Chairman:

MAJOR-GENERAL R. H. FARRANT, CB ^ ^fe y ^ ^^ ^

Director and Secretary: Some Ways of Raising Money 271 CAPTAIN NIGEL DIXON, RN International Boat Show, by Ray Kipling, Deputy Public Relations Officer, RNLI 274

Here and There 275

Shoreline 276 Managing Editor: PATRICK HOWARTH Building a Rother Class Lifeboat: Part III—In frame 277

Editor: Book Revjews 279 JOAN DAVIES Letters 281

Headquarters: Awards to Coxswains, Crews and Shore Helpers ...... 282 m?ShRoyal NationaRo«"po*7iSrl Life-boat InstitutionBH'5, "»-"»* *> . , __. Offshore Lifeboat Services, September, October and November 1976 .. 285 London Office: Royal National Life-boat Institution, 21 .,, _. _ . „ . . ,., , „„ , Ebury Street, London SW1W OLD TInshor1 e TLifeboat Services, September, October and November 1976 .. 286 (Telephone Ol'-730 0031). Index to Advertisers 288

Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising en- consideration with a view to publication quiries should be addressed to Dyson in the journal should be addressed to the Advertising Services, PO Box 9, Godal- editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal National ming, Surrey (Telephone Godalming Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, (04868) 23675). COVER PICTURE Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). Photographs intended for Return from exercise: Portrush's 46' 9" return should be accompanied by a Watson lifeboat Lady Scott (Civil stamped and addressed envelope. Subscription: A year's subscription of Service No. 4) returns to harbour. A four issues costs £1.40, including housed slipway boat built in 1949, she Next Issues: The Summer issue of THE postage, but those who are entitled to has, since going on station, launched on LIFEBOAT will appear in July and news receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge will service 127 times and rescued 69 lives. items should be sent by the end of continue to do so. Overseas subscrip- The photograph was taken by Colin April. News items for the Autumn issue tions depend on the cost of postage to Watson. should be sent in by the end of July. the country concerned. 253 We take pride in the fact that we supply

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254 Trevor England, was able to take con- the worst in his 28 years of experience trol and bring the lifeboat safely back. as a lifeboatman. Force 12 winds were In his official report on the incident encountered and more than once the Commander Bruce Cairns, Chief of lifeboat rolled heavily over almost on to Operations, wrote: 'By the grace of her beam ends. An estimate of the worst God no one was lost overboard roll experienced was that it reached 70 although all the circumstances were degrees. Nevertheless the lifeboat present for this to happen'. He added succeeded in taking a yacht in tow and that the incident emphasized again thus rescuing eight people, one of them that 'lifeboat work is a very dangerous the daughter of the well-known actress occupation, regardless of modern Moira Lister. development in lifeboat construction'. Some of the Weymouth crew had felt The conclusion he reached was that in apprehensive about the possible be- lifeboat design and construction any haviour of the Arun lifeboat in the tendency 'to subordinate strength to conditions which prevailed. They speed, and perhaps economy in some returned, in the words of the inspector cases' must be avoided. who investigated the service, Lieut.- From the description of the service Commander Roy Portchmouth, with on page 259 it will be seen that the crew, 'the conviction on the part of every with great faith in their boat, would Weymouth crew member that the Arun NOTES OF have launched again before repairs had has proved herself completely'. been made, and that in fact temporary Detailed descriptions of the Wey- THE QUARTER repairs and extra strengthening were mouth service appear on page 258. completed on the slipway in less than Queen's Silver Jubilee 24 hours. A full and urgent investigation In the Silver Jubilee year HM The is in progress into the possible need for Queen will honour the RNLI by naming by Patrick Howarth further strengthening. the new Hartlepool lifeboat on July 14. This is the Waveney lifeboat which the Further success of the Arun lifeboat Scout Association provided through That the RNLI has succeeded in 'Operation Lifeboat' which was launched A LIFEBOAT DISASTER may have been combining greater speed both with the in 1974 to mark the RNLI's 150th narrowly averted last December. Soon strength and stability which are required, anniversary. after the Padstow lifeboat had launched was effectively shown in a service HM The Queen, who is Patron of the late in the evening of December 7, she carried out nearly two months earlier. Civil Service and Post Office Lifeboat was struck by three exceptionally heavy After an intense cyclone with winds of. Fund, has graciously agreed that, to seas. A considerable weight of water hurricane force had been moving celebrate her 25 years on the throne, dropped almost vertically on to the steadily up the south coast of England the new Rother class lifeboat being canopy forward of the wheelhouse the night before, the Arun class lifeboat donated to the RNLI by the Fund shall smashing the windscreen glass. The stationed at Weymouth had launched be named Silver Jubilee. This lifeboat is coxswain, Anthony Warnock, was con- on the afternoon of October 14. Second Civil Service No. 38 and will be stationed cussed and temporarily blinded from a Coxswain Victor Pitman, who was in at Margate; she was on the RNLI head wound, but the second coxswain, command, later described the seas as stand at the recent Boat Show, where she was visited by a large number of people. 37' Oakley lifeboat James The RNLI has itself decided to cele- and Catherine Macfarlane, brate the Queen's Silver Jubilee by back in Padstow after her service of December 7. (I. naming a lifeboat in honour of its to r.) Second Coxswain President, the Duke of Kent. In reaching Trevor England, Dl (SW) this decision the RNLI's Committee Lt.-Cdr. R. S. Portclunouth, of Management have expressed the wish Coxswain Anthony War- that this lifeboat 'should be a symbol nock and Honorary Sec- of their appreciation for the work of retary Harry Lobb inspect lifeboat crews and for the voluntary damaged windscreen central support given to them by station and stiffener; it was replaced by two upright strengthening financial branches and by ladies' life- bars spaced either side of boat guilds.' A number of branches have the centreline. already planned special events this year to raise additional funds to help pay photograph by courtesy of Robert Roskrow for the new lifeboat. Among the national celebrations of the Queen's Jubilee in which the RNLI On January 25 (I. to r.), will participate, will be the River Major-General Ralph Far- Thames Pageant on June 9 and the rant, Chairman of the Fleet Review at Spithead on June 28. Committee of Management, New lifeboats will take part in both received on behalf of the these events. Institution from Mr Stavros C. Roussos, the Greek American view Ambassador, a gold medal Speaking at the Mansion House in and certificate to com- London on December 1 last year at a memorate the 150th anni- reception held to launch the American/ versary of the RNLI in 1974. Also present at the British Lifeboat Appeal, Mrs Anne reception were Coxswain Armstrong, the United States Am- Arthur Liddon from Dover bassador, said: and Coxswain Peter 'The appeal which we observe and Burwoodfrom Harwich. honour this evening has the official 255 Mrs Anne Armstrong, United States Am- bassador, was guest of honour at the reception at the Mansion House in the City of London on December I which launched the American! British lifeboat appeal. With her are seen (r. to I.) the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London, Sir Robin and Lady Gillett, Alderman Alan Lanboll, a Sheriff'of London, Miss P. Awbery and John Atterton, Deputy Director of the RNLI.

blessings of the US Bicentennial Com- mission. That's nice, but just as im- portant, even more important, is that it has the support of an important segment of the American community here and across the Atlantic. So it should have. For the Institution doesn't ask a person's nationality when he is in trouble. 'It's too early to say yet whether the drive for the new Waveney lifeboat will go over the top. But if I know my Americans, if I know what touches them (and opens their pockets and purses) it is a voluntary cause and a good cause. 'Britain has many friends and well- wishers in America—more, I think, than you realise. And with this appeal, it gives us an opportunity to demonstrate The growing support which the RNLI encourages us to believe that the our friendship and support in a rather is receiving from American citizens both Ambassador's hope, so happily different fashion.' in this country and in the United States expressed, will be fulfilled.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: The AGM of the Institution will be on Tuesday, May 17, at the Royal Festival Hall, London. Principal speaker at the Presentation of Awards in the afternoon will be Lord Inchcape, President of the General Council of British Shipping. * * * Raymond Pope, district organising secretary (City of London), has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London. * * * Portpatrick lifeboat station has been awarded a centenary vellum on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its When Major-General and Mrs Farrant visited South Wales at the end of November, Mrs Farrant presented a ship''s bell to Coxswain Edward Powell and the crew of the Barry 52' lifeboat establishment in 1877. North Sunder- Arun. It was to commemorate the first visit she made to this lifeboat after performing the naming land has been awarded a vellum on the ceremony in 1972. The committees of Barry branch and ladies'1 guild were also present. On 150th anniversary of the establishment extreme right, Glyn Williams, district organising secretary (Wales). of this station in 1827.

Pangbourne branch is affiliated to Weymouth lifeboat station, and a Four Elder Brethren of Trinity House visited RNLI HQ and Poole framed colour photograph of the 54' Arun Tony Vandervell, presented lifeboat on December 6. With members of Poole crew are (I. to r.) by Weymouth crew, was unveiled at the Swan Inn, Pangbourne, on Lieut.-Commander K. S. Pattisson, honorary secretary, Major- December 8 by Chantal d'Orthez, daughter of Moira Lister. With General Farrant, Captain 1. R. C. Sounders, Captain David Smith, Miss d'Orthez are (I. to r.) Lieut.-Colonel Godfrey Pease, Pangbourne Captain D. J. Cloke, Captain J. A. Bezant, and Mr William Bishop, a chairman, Emergency Mechanic Eric Pavey and Coxswain Alfred member of the Committee of Management. Pavey of Weymouth, and Lord Alastair Gordon, Pangbourne president. photograph by courtesy of Bournemouth Evening Echo

256 North Western Division Storm A YACHT IN DISTRESS 23 nautical miles south west of Skerries Lighthouse was reported to the honorary secretary of Holyhead lifeboat station by HM Coast- guard at 1310 on Saturday, September 11, 1976. The bulk carrier Sugar St Cybi (Civil Service No. 9), Holyhead, launches in storm force winds on Saturday, September Producer was standing by. II, 1976 photograph by courtesy of J. Cave Maroons were fired and the 52' Barnett lifeboat St Cybi (Civil Service heavy rain. The ebbing tidal stream was alongside each other, while the two men No. 9) launched at 1329. The wind was flowing south at about 2 knots. and two women were lifted on board blowing force 9 to 10 from the north Coxswain William Jones made a the lifeboat and taken into the after east and the sea was very rough. The downwind approach to the yacht, hove- cabin. They were wrapped in blankets sky was overcast with heavy rain, the to 10 yards off and used the hooter and and given food and drink. visibility about two miles. It was almost loudhailer to attract attention; it was It was decided conditions were too one hour after high water and the tidal 1605. After about five minutes someone bad to tow the yacht, so Sugar Producer stream was beginning to set southward. appeared from the cabin and shouted . was asked to relay to Holyhead Coast- At full speed St Cybi set course to 'Give me five minutes'. This was taken guard that the survivors were safely on give North Stack a good offing; on to mean that that was the time needed to board the lifeboat and the yacht clearing it, course was altered towards prepare for abandoning the yacht. abandoned. The liferaft was recovered, the casualty. Very high and confused St Cybi was being manoeuvred up- partially deflated and lashed on deck. seas were encountered off South Stack wind clear of the casualty when the port Then the return passage to Holyhead but, once clear, they assumed a more engine stopped. It was discovered that was begun at slow speed with the lifeboat regular pattern with the lifeboat running the port propeller had become fouled heading into the storm. before a very heavy swell from the north by a line, out of sight below the sea's By 1630 the crew had managed to east. surface, streamed from the stern of the clear the port propeller, but on starting At about 1500 a radar contact, yacht, which was now being towed stern the port engine the port throttle cable assumed to be Sugar Producer standing first by the lifeboat. The yacht was asked was found to be broken. Acting Motor by the casualty, was picked up at a to cut the rope, but by the time this had Mechanic Graham Drinkwater, who was distance of 10 miles. Shortly after 1530 been done she had been turned through in charge of machinery, made a tem- VHF radio contact was made with Sugar 180° and was lying bows northwest. porary repair by securing a piece of Producer. The merchant ship said that By now four people wearing lifejackets boat lacing from the throttle arm to the she had tried to get a line aboard the could be seen on deck. Coxswain Jones, engine room hatch. The port engine was yacht without success, had made two seeing that, the cabin hatch being open, brought into use, but the boat could attempts to take the people off but had the yacht was in danger of being over- only make slow speed because of the been prevented from doing so by the whelmed by the heavy seas and sinking, weather. severe seas. She had succeeded in float- decided that he must take off her crew as Sugar Producer, having made sure ing an inflatable liferaft down to the soon as possible and prepared to make a that she could be of no further assistance, yacht, and it was secured to her star- downwind approach on to the casualty's continued on her passage to Liverpool board quarter, but the master thought starboard side. Instructions were passed but maintained radio communication the casualty's crew were exhausted. to the yacht to clear the liferaft; it was with the lifeboat. Sugar Producer was eventually sighted cut adrift. At about 1800 the flood tidal stream at 1545. The casualty, Pastime, a 28' Some of the lifeboat's crew were work- began to flow to the north, aggravating Nobby Class sailing yacht, was sighted ing through the port propeller scuttle, the already very rough seas. At 2045, at about 1600 when one mile off; she still trying to clear the line from the when about three miles south west of could be seen lying beam on to the sea fouled propeller, so Coxswain Jones South Stack, a red flare was sighted to with bows south east. Her sails were began his approach with only the the east. Holyhead Coastguard was blown out, she was without power and starboard engine in use and a line trailing informed and Coxswain Jones altered battened down; the liferaft was made from the port propeller. Oil was pumped course to search close inshore as far fast to her starboard quarter. The into the sea in an effort to reduce the south as Rhoscolyn Point. The search merchant ship was half a mile to her amount of breaking water around the was continued for one and a half hours south east. yacht. but nothing found. Having satisfied The wind, still from the north east, With fenders rigged on the port side, himself that the area was clear of further was storm force 10 gusting force 11, the the lifeboat was laid alongside the casualties and being concerned for the seas were estimated to be in excess of casualty and the crew, holding on to the welfare of the survivors already on 30' at times. Visibility was about two yacht's rigging and guardrails, kept board, the coxswain advised Holyhead miles, with low scudding clouds and together the two boats, ranging heavily Coastguard that he was returning to

257 station and would make a last search delayed but now strong ebb tide running earlier, and to keep his total number up close inshore from Trearddur Bay to directly against this wind, as the sequel to the seven he was sure he was going to South Stack. The search was completed to an unexpectedly high water earlier, need. Vic Pitman took the lifeboat away by 2220, and St Cybi returned to and so it was apparent that the sea from her moorings at 1728. It was his station at 2230, having been at sea for condition was going to be much worse second time in command of her. nine hours in storm force winds and than anything to which this first glass Acting Coxswain Pitman knew he high seas. The survivors were taken by fibre 54' Arun lifeboat, Tony Vandervell, would have no communication with the ambulance to Stanley Hospital, Holy- had been exposed since she was built. crew on the after deck once they were head. The lifeboat was secured in the Eventually the honorary secretary exposed to the shrieking wind and he inner harbour, the weather being too learned that Ariadne had succeeded in had already made up his mind that the bad for her to be rehoused. escorting the yacht clear of Portland only possibility would be to tow the For this service the silver medal for Race, and that the casualty was now yacht to safety. So he put Crew Member gallantry was awarded to Coxswain making steady if slow progress eastwards Bertie Legge in charge on deck while William J. Jones. The thanks of the under the power of her own engine. It he concentrated his entire attention on Institution inscribed on vellum were was naturally assumed by all concerned controlling and manoeuvring the life- accorded to Second Coxswain Francis that she would now turn north for the boat from the upper conning position. Ward, Acting Motor Mechanic David shelter of the Bill and Weymouth. The Motor Mechanic Derek Sargent was to Graham Drinkwater, Acting Assistant crew were, therefore, stood down and do all the navigating by radar and Mechanic Jack Sharpe, and Crew two of them returned to their individual Signalman Lionel Hellier manned the Members Richard Griffiths, David duties elsewhere. It was now about 1630. radio, while Emergency Mechanic Eric Barry and Gareth Ogwen-Jones. Soon after this, the commanding Pavey acted as intercom between the officer of Ariadne, who was in touch coxswain and the towing party and with Latifa on VHP, received a request helped in all departments. Newcomers South Western Division from the yacht, which had a crew of John Kellegher and Bernard Wills com- four men, to take off the four women pleted Bertie Legg's deck party. who were on board as the skipper Tony Vandervell headed south towards Hurricane tow intended to continue heading downwind an expected rendezvous near West AT ABOUT 1515 on Thursday, October 14, for the Needles. He also asked Ariadne Shambles Buoy. On approaching Grove 1976, HM Coastguard informed the to escort him there. To this the captain Point, however, Ariadne indicated a honorary secretary of Weymouth life- replied that he could not manoeuvre position further to the east and requested boat station that the 52-ton yacht Latifa close enough to take anyone off; he rendezvous to be made at the East had requested assistance off Portland could not even pass them a tow under Shambles Buoy. Acting Coxswain Pit- Bill. She had damaged sails, a shattered those conditions and he strongly advised man now had to alter course south east main boom, split mast and jammed them to enter Weymouth. with the prospect of the sea in its worst halyards. HMS Ariadne, a Leander class At about 1710, the Coastguard potential position, on his quarter. Full frigate, was in the vicinity and making informed the honorary secretary that speed was maintained until, when about for the yacht's position. The honorary the yacht had now reported running a mile from the rendezvous and no sign secretary placed the lifeboat crew on short of fuel and that the escorting of the frigate and her charge could be stand-by in the boathouse. frigate had suggested that Weymouth seen, the lifeboat slowed to about 14 An intense cyclone, with winds of lifeboat should be asked to attempt to knots. hurricane force, had been moving take the yacht in tow for Weymouth; The wind was now west south west steadily up the coast all night and the honorary secretary decided to launch hurricane force 12, blowing on the throughout the day. All Channel Island while there was still some daylight left. lifeboat's starboard quarter, directly ferry sailings had been cancelled and, Second Coxswain Victor Pitman, the against an ebb tide of about 3 knots. even at the lifeboat house in Weymouth coxswain being away on leave, hurriedly The seas were consequently phenomenal harbour, in the lee of the south-west mustered his crew again, this time with and more than once hurled the lifeboat wind, it was plain that it was now at two local fishermen (not crew members) over almost on to her beam ends. An least storm force 10. There was a to replace the two who had had to depart estimate of the worst roll experienced was that it reached 70 degrees. The East Second Coxswain Victor Pitman of Weymouth (centre), with the crew who sailed with him on Shambles Buoy was sighted lying flat on Thursday, October 14, 1976: (1. to r.) Emergency Mechanic Eric Pavey, Crew Members Bertie the water under the weight of the wind Legge and Bernard Wills, Motor Mechanic Derek Sargent, and Crew Members John Kellegher and the course was altered southwards and Lionel Hellier. photograph by courtesy of Dorset Evening Echo to meet the casualty. It was at about this time that the metal cover on the compass in the wheelhouse was torn from its pivots by a particularly violent pitch, lifted itself clear, then flew horizontally aft, striking the bulk- head by the doorway, beside a crew member's head HMS Ariadne's lights were eventually sighted, and the casualty was met about 1.5 miles south of the East Shambles Buoy at about 1815. It was now dark. On the southerly course, the lifeboat rolled heavily as the crew began the hazardous job of preparing the towline. It had to be brought up from its stowage in the tiller flat and flaked out in the after cabin as it would have been impossible to work along the side decks and the ropes would have been washed overboard. The yacht's skipper once more asked for the women passengers to be taken

258 off and for the lifeboat to escort him to the driving rain and spray and his blind second survivor was sighted, face down the Needles. The coxswain replied that pilotage was all-important. in the water and, as Michael Knott this was not possible and Ariadne's The lifeboat safely entered harbour manoeuvred the cutter alongside, his captain explained that he could not with her tow at 2055. father entered the water, turned the even manoeuvre enough to give a lee The leadership and determination of man over and supported him to the for such an operation. The lifeboat's Acting Coxswain Vic Pitman on only cutter's port side. Never having been to signalman then informed the yacht's his second time in command of this sea in this particular boat before, master that his only hope was to accept lifeboat, and under such daunting Thomas Knott's knowledge of gear a tow to Weymouth. circumstances, were inspiring and stowage was limited to what was readily The lifeboat's dinghy, on the after courageous to a very high degree. He also in view; consequently he had been un- deck, although under lashings, was accomplished a great feat of seamanship. able to find a lifejacket or even a piece blown out of her chocks by the force of His crew, their average age 50, were of line with which to attach himself to the wind, until It pressed against the no less praiseworthy in their respective the boat before going over the side. towing bollard. Lionel Hellier braced roles including the two who are not After one unsuccessful attempt to lift himself to fire a rocket line as Acting normally crew members but whose the second survivor over the three foot Coxswain Pitman made his first presence and seamanship on this freeboard of the cutter, Michael Knott approach into the wind, the yacht's occasion were invaluable. passed a line to his father but, lying on skipper having altered course for the The results were the rescuing of eight the side deck, was unable to reach low purpose. As he glimpsed the yacht's lives under the worst conditions any of enough to help secure it, and his father lights between the waves and squeezed the participants can remember, and a could only partly lift the survivor. the trigger, a sudden lurch sent him conviction on the part of every Wey- Another attempt was made but sprawling across the dinghy, the rocket mouth crew member that the Arun had Thomas Knott was weakening and the line tumbling out of its canister and proved herself completely. survivor was covered in oil; after a third the rocket away from its target. He For this service the silver medal for attempt he slipped from Thomas Knott's decided to make the next shot lying gallantry has been awarded to Acting grasp and sank under the cutter's across the dinghy and the second line Coxswain Victor J. Pitman. The thanks quarter. Michael Knott then realised his was prepared while the lifeboat was of the Institution inscribed on vellum father's condition and heaved him turned through 360 degrees for another have been accorded to Motor Mechanic aboard, where he lay on deck regaining approach. Aim was difficult, the yacht's Derek J. Sargent, Emergency Mechanic strength. lights only being briefly visible between Eric L. Pavey and Crew Members Bertie A third survivor, in a stronger condi- waves. Even Acting Coxswain Pitman A. C. Legge, Lionel F. Hellier, Bernard tion, was then approached and taken on the upper conning position lost sight Wills and John Kellegher. aboard before the cutter moved towards of her several times, although she had a the upturned tug hull where a fourth 90' mast and her masthead light was Eastern Division man was clinging. Thomas Knott cast a burning. line to him with a lifejacket secured to A consensus of wave height estimates it, and though the man slipped from the at this point places them between 40 Capsized tug hull as he grasped it, he managed to put and 50 feet and the captain of Ariadne PILOT CUTTER COXSWAIN Michael Knott on the lifejacket in a manner which says they were as steep as anything he was in Lowestoft Bridge Control station allowed him to be dragged to the cutter has seen. when, at 0825 on Monday, August 16, and brought aboard. The second shot fell right across the 1976, a radio message was heard on The three survivors were adjudged to rigging of the yacht, but her crew were Channel 16 VHP that the harbour tug be recovering sufficiently to allow the unable to reach it. Barkis had overturned. pilot cutter to resume her search for the Once more a line was prepared and Knowing that the tug had left harbour missing man. Twenty minutes later, at once more Vic Pitman took the lifeboat to attend the cargo vessel Jupiter, about 0920, the cutter returned to in a complete circle for yet another Michael Knott ran across the harbour harbour as Lowestoft lifeboat, Great approach. The crew were full of praise bridge to his cutter; on the south quay, Yarmouth and Gorleston Atlantic 21 for his handling of the boat, especially by the lifeboat crew room, he passed his and an RAF helicopter arrived on the during this most difficult phase. father, Thomas Knott, Lowestoft life- scene. The survivors were landed at the For his third shot, Lionel Hellier boat station coxswain/mechanic. Al- harbour wall and Thomas Knott decided to get maximum visibility by though Thomas Knott did not hear the remained on shore until the lifeboat standing again. It was impossible, how- full message shouted by his son, he returned at 1230. He then took her to ever, to stand without support on that realised that there was an emergency sea again, continuing the search until deck and so John Kellegher pinned him and joined him as crew member aboard 1830, but no trace of the missing man against the after guardrail, with his the cutter. He had spoken with his was found. arms around both sides of him, while second coxswain and two lifeboat crew For this service a bar to his bronze he fired. Both men were in a very members only minutes earlier and knew medal for gallantry has been awarded to hazardous situation by the after board- that if the maroons were fired enough Coxswain/Mechanic Thomas V. Knott ing position at that moment, with the men were available to crew the lifeboat; and a framed letter of thanks signed by lifeboat pitching heavily. The shot was the immediate and most urgent task was the Chairman of the Institution, Major a bull's eye, straight between the yacht's to get the 16 knot pilot cutter to sea and General Ralph Farrant, has been rigging and into the crew's hands. try to effect a rescue. presented to Michael Knott. About 60 fathoms of nylon tow line Clearing the moorings at about 0830 was veered out as Acting Coxswain Michael Knott called Jupiter and was South Western Division Pitman, with a masterly display of sea- told that she was near Ness Buoy, one manship, manoeuvred his lifeboat to mile north east of the harbour, and that take the strain gently and begin the tow the four members of the tug's crew were Damage on service with a turn to starboard towards in the water. PADSTOW LIFEBOAT, a 48' 6" Oakley, Weymouth. About 4 knots was made The wind was north east, force 2 to 3, with midship steering, James and good. with a slight sea and swell; it was the Catherine Macfarlane, launched on Derek Sargent had been manning the last hour of the ebb. service at 2256 on Tuesday, December 7, radio during Lionel Hellier's absence, At about 0840 the pilot cutter reached to investigate a report of red flares. and he now returned to his navigating the first survivor (a member of the life- The wind was west north west near duties. No buoys could be sighted on boat crew) and he was hauled aboard gale force 7 gusting to force 8, with a the return passage due to the seas and in an exhausted state. Within a minute a very rough, steep, breaking sea over a 259 Glyn Roberts, the boarding boat was despatched inshore through an 8' ground swell raised by the young flood setting easterly at 1 \ to 2 knots. The shore was peppered with medium sized rocks. Going inshore, Second Coxswain Scott saw a flashlight on the beach. He found a channel between the rocks and held the boat while Glyn Roberts jumped ashore. On the beach were two police- men, a camper and a boy, who had got there by climbing round the base of the cliff. The policemen told Glyn Roberts that another boy was trapped up the cliff; the camper had tried to climb the cliff but he had found it impossible. While Second Coxswain Scott took the boarding boat back to the lifeboat to keep Coxswain Jones up to date with what was happening ashore, Glyn Roberts took off his boots and socks and started to climb. The cliff is about 170' high, vertical in places, sloping to 10 degrees off the vertical in others. As, Scarborough lifeboat, the 37' Oakley J. G. Graves of Sheffield, launched at 1945 on September until 1958, it was used as a tip for 21, 1976, with a pump and three firemen on board, to help trawler Anmara (with crew of three) unwanted granite from a nearby quarry, under tow of trawler Carolanne and in danger of sinking. Having transferred pump and firemen, its face is covered in loose granite of the lifeboat stood by until all was under control, then escorted both boats into Scarborough varying size and shape. The boy was in a Harbour, arriving at 0030. photograph by courtesy of Scarborough Evening News cleft about 80' up. It was not possible to anchor the heavy onshore swell; it was 5 hours ebb, faith in their lifeboat and were prepared lifeboat because of foul ground, so, so that the tide was setting against the to go to sea again without windscreen stemming the flood, Coxswain Jones wind at a rate of about 0.2 knots. or wheelhouse doors'. kept the searchlight trained on the boy; Visibility was good. With the help of Mashford's Yard, in its glare Glyn Roberts could be seen Shortly after launching, while on a Cremyll, and the RNLI depot, repairs climbing. The boarding boat remained west south west course towards Trevose were immediately put in hand and lying off to help with illumination. Head, the lifeboat encountered two carried out on the slipway. James Upon reaching the boy, Glyn Roberts particularly heavy seas fine on the Catherine Macfarlane was available for found him rigid with fear and trembling starboard bow. Coxswain Anthony service throughout, if an urgent call had violently. After climbing higher he Warnock reduced speed and the next come, and was back on full service, with decided that the only way to rescue the sea, estimated to be 25' high, broke repairs completed, late on the same boy was to descend, and after much heavily on the starboard bow falling on evening, Wednesday, December 8. coaxing, the boy agreed to follow him to an almost stationary boat. A con- A framed certificate inscribed on down the cliff. When about 30' from the siderable weight of water dropped vellum has been presented to Coxswain bottom, Glyn Roberts fell to the beach, almost vertically on to the canopy Anthony Warnock, Second Coxswain but he climbed up again and successfully forward of the wheelhouse smashing Trevor England, Acting Motor brought the boy down. It had taken him, the windscreen and damaging the Mechanic A. Prosser, Acting Assistant in all, three quarters of an hour. wheelhouse. Mechanic A. May and Crew Members Second Coxswain Scott took the The coxswain, second coxswain and R. Tummon, A. House and R. Norfolk. boarding boat back in shore to pick up three crew members sustained injuries. Glyn Roberts and the two boys. His Four of them suffered cuts from the Western Division original channel was now covered and broken glass to the head, face and hands, he used the ground swell to 'rock hop' two requiring stitches. The fifth man on to the beach. Both boys had to be had damage to the ribs and the other Trapped on cliff dressed in lifejackets and carried to the crew members were unhurt. FOLLOWING A 999 CALL, HM Coastguard boarding boat; they were not fit to Coxswain Warnock received a bad informed Coxswain Griffith Jones of attempt a climb along the foreshore cut over his right eye which temporarily Porthdinllaen lifeboat station at 2253 on accompanied by the police. blinded him, and some concussion. He Tuesday, August 31, 1976, that a boy Now Second Coxswain Scott had to was moved to the after cabin for first was trapped under a rock at Porth-y- try to use the swell to 'rock hop' into aid treatment and Second Coxswain/ Nant. The coxswain informed his clear water with the added responsibility Assistant Mechanic Trevor England honorary secretary and the maroons of having two exhausted 14-year-old took over command. By good judge- were fired. At 2315 the 46' 9" Watson boys in his care. A mistake, and the ment and seamanship he brought the lifeboat, Charles Henry Ashley launched. boat would have crashed back on to the boat back to station at 2335 and She took in tow the 14' clinker built rocks. However, the lifeboat was reached successfully rehoused her at 0002 on boarding boat, which is fitted with a successfully, the boys got aboard, taken December 8 in order to land the 20 hp Johnson outboard engine. down into the after cabin and given hot injured men. The wind was northerly force 2, with soup. Although it was unnecessary for the sea calm at launch. The tide was just At 0214 on September 1, Charles lifeboat to launch again, Second Cox- starting to flood towards the east. Henry Ashley returned to station, where swain England said that he could have Visibility was good. the two boys and Glyn Roberts, who mustered a crew who would have been Charles Henry Ashley set off on an had sustained many bruises and cuts, prepared to take the boat to sea before easterly course and, on arrival at the were treated by Dr D. G. Hughes- the repairs were completed, should an position of the reported casualty, fired Thomas, honorary medical adviser. urgent call have come, and the honorary flares. Under the command of Second For this service the bronze medal for secretary wrote, 'All the crew have great Coxswain John Scott and Crew Member gallantry was awarded to Crew Member 260 Glyn Roberts and the thanks of the It was 1710 before the rescue from the survivors from the water very quickly Institution inscribed on vellum accorded beach was completed and, although the would be needed. to Second Coxswain John E. Scott. temperature was reasonably warm, John The station informed the Marine Medal service certificates were presented Dew was obviously working hard for an Rescue Co-oidination Centre, Shannon, to Coxswain Griffith J. Jones, Motor hour under very difficult conditions; the of the situation at 0300 and HM Coast- Mechanic Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Assis- protective jacket kept him warm but guard, Fishguard, at 0323. tant Mechanic Ifor H. Griffiths and made swimming harder and every time The weather had been fair but with a Crew Members Owen Roberts, James he tried to wade ashore the pockets, heavy swell from the south south west. P. Bentley and John I. Griffiths. heavy with water, made it more difficult At about 0200 the wind increased to to get through the surf. By the time the force 5 from the south veering south South Western Division last survivor (and the dog) were safely west and moderating to force 3 at about aboard the lifeboat, John Dew, a big 0400. It was very dark with frequent Stranded under cliffs man of strong physique, was exhausted. heavy rain squalls. The survivors were landed at Dart- Falskirt Rock lies about 2 cables south BRIXHAM COASTGUARD informed the mouth and taken to hospital and the of Swines Head. Running about north deputy launching authority of Torbay lifeboat returned to her moorings at east from the rock is a reef extending lifeboat station at 1431 on Monday, 2010. about one cable. Immediately north of August 23, 1976, that survivors from a this reef is a channel one third to a half wrecked speedboat were stranded on a cable wide, while north of the channel beach at Forest Cove under overhang- there are other rocks very near the cliffs ing cliffs. of Swines Head. This channel, known The 52' Barnett class lifeboat, Princess as the Sound, can be used by small boats Alexandra of Kent, on temporary duty at at any state of the tide. Inside the rocks Torbay, was launched ten minutes later near Swines Head is another very narrow with Second Coxswain Keith Bower in channel which can only be used by small command and headed for Forest Cove, boats in good weather at high water, and some ten miles south towards the this is known as the Inner Channel. The northern end of Start Bay. cliffs are over 100' high and there is no Princess Alexandra of Kent arrived possible landing place within reach. off the beach at 1600. High water would At Falskirt Rock at 0315 a fresh be at about 1730, but it was little more breeze, force 5, was blowing from the than a neap tide and the survivors were south; there were frequent heavy rain in no immediate danger; the upper Crew Member John Dew, Torbay. squalls and a heavy swell from the south reaches of the beach would obviously photograph by courtesy of Torbay Herald west giving heavy surf on shore and be above high water level. However, Express suction on to the rock. High water at there were children among them and it For this service the bronze medal for Dunmore East was 0352 and it was was probable that they would be suffer- gallantry has been awarded to Crew slack water at Falskirt Rock. ing from shock and some degree of Member John Dew. Medal service After discussion with the crew of exposure. certificates have been presented to Lone Ranger, which could not approach There was a moderate to fresh breeze, Acting Coxswain Keith W. Bower, the Sound in the prevailing conditions force 4 to 5, blowing into the cove from Deputy Coxswain Arthur L. V. Curnow, because of the shallow water and the the east, accompanied by a moderate Motor Mechanic Stephen J. Bower, large number of nets and lobster pots, swell, producing rough seas and surf of Emergency Mechanic Brian W. Gaunter St Patrick approached from the east, about 4 to 5 feet. The lifeboat was and Crew Members Michael Kingston, illuminating the area with parachute anchored and veered down to within Richard R. Brown and Michael B. flares, searchlight and Aldis lamp. about 50 yards of the beach but could Smith. Finding the Sound blocked by salmon not get closer because of surrounding nets and after consideration of the state rocks. In the prevailing drought it was Ireland Division of the tide and wind, Coxswain Whittle considered unwise to fire a rocket line decided that the casualty had not hit ashore because of the danger of starting Falskirt Rock but one of the rocks north a cliff fire, nor did there appear to be Open fishing boat of the Sound. The whole area was anywhere for those on shore to secure infested with salmon nets and lobster pot the tail block. on rocks buoys but their positions were unknown. John Dew, a professional diver who FISHING IN AN OPEN BOAT at about 0200 As the Sound was blocked St Patrick acts as a crew member whenever he is on Friday, July 9, 1976, Paul Power saw went south of Falskirt Rock and home on leave from Nigeria, volunteered an 18' open boat go on the rocks near approached Swines Head from the south to swim ashore with a veering line. Falskirt Rock, 52° 08'N 7° 02'W, but, west, illuminating as before. At this Removing his seaboots and protective the area being filled with lobster pots and time the survivor could see the lifeboat trousers, but wearing his protective nets, was unable to approach the casualty and was shouting, but he could not be jacket and lifejacket, he did so and then in the dark. Instead he went round seen or heard from the lifeboat. How- hauled the breeches buoy ashore as it Falskirt Rock to seek help from the ever, a crowd gathered at the top of the was veered out from the lifeboat on the MFV Lone Ranger, fishing to the east of cliffs managed to make themselves heard other veering line. the rock. in St Patrick. The message was that Lifejackets were sent inshore with the Lone Ranger passed the information the casualty was ahead. breeches buoy, and John Dew put them to Dunmore East Pilot Station by VHP Coxswain Whittle brought his boat on survivors before lifting them into the at about 0245. The message was passed slowly into the entrance of the Inner breeches buoy. There were six adults, by telephone to Coxswain/Mechanic Channel, when he could see the casualty. eight children and an Alsatian dog to be Stephen Whittle of Dunmore East life- The depth of water at this position could brought off. John Dew paired one adult boat station, who immediately informed not be more than 15 to 20 feet with the with one child in the breeches buoy, as the deputy launching authority. Maroons bottom covered with large boulders. far as possible, and then swam alongside were fired and the 44' Waveney lifeboat The survivor was thrown a buoy on a to escort them to the lifeboat, making St Patrick cleared the harbour at 0305. line and managed to swim to it. He was seven round trips in all; the veering line Two extra crew were carried as hauled alongside and pulled quickly into ashore was tended by the strongest man Coxswain Whittle knew that extra look- the lifeboat, which then had to go astern of the survivors' party. outs and a strong party for hauling very fast as she was only about 20' from 261 Fire at sea: Both St position. While the son held the dinghy Helier and St Peter Port his father was helped aboard in a state lifeboats, the 44' of extreme cold and near exhaustion Waveney Thomas James and Mr Jordan ordered him to start King and the 52' A run Sir William Arnold, bailing to force him to use his limbs; launched on service on the son then acted as lookout with the September 77, 7976, to torch. With some difficulty, after about go to the help of fishing 25 minutes rowing, Mr Jordan found vessel Mako, on fire 16 the footbridge again. miles west of La Corbierc It was now about 2140, the spring Light, Jersey. The sole tide had begun to ebb from a height of occupant of Mako had, 5' above prediction, and Mr Jordan however, been picked up decided not to risk grounding the by the hydrofoil Condor 5. dinghy; he abandoned the boat at the bridge and waded back along the shingle road with the two men, having to use his staff in the same way as on the out- the rocks at the foot of Swines Head on varying from one to ten feet deep and ward trip as water still covered the track which a heavy swell was breaking. running irregularly over the whole to a depth of 2' and deep gullies border Having recovered the survivor St length of the marshes. the track. Patrick's crew lost sight of the wrecked The two men walked towards the sea On arrival at the car park at 2155 boat, which had been washed clear when defence mound, reaching it just before coffee was brought to the men by a the lifeboat went astern; but Coxswain darkness fell. A comfortable hide was holidaymaker from the nearby caravan Whittle had the position fixed (there was found to await the appearance of duck, site, and they soon recovered enough a buoy for a lobster pot within half a but at about 1900 visibility deteriorated for the father to drive his son home, boat's length at that spot) and once St to some 25 yards in drifting fog and the taking Mr Jordan for further refresh- Patrick was clearof the rocks he returned father decided they should retrace their ment and returning him later to Stiffkey. to search for another man who had steps towards the land. With no refer- For this service, Joseph Robert been in the boat's crew.There was, how- ences visible, sense of direction was soon Jordan has been awarded the bronze ever, no sign of boat or man. The lifeboat lost and as they tried to find their way medal for gallantry. again backed off and the search was the men fell into creeks and found less continued, with a break to land the and less 'dry' ground above the rising Ireland Division survivor at 0500, until 1140, when it was tide, which was soon to overflow the abandoned. creek banks. Yacht aground This was a service which could only Eventually they decided to stay where WHILE A RACE FROM ABERSOCH Was being have been carried out by a man with a they were, and as the fog lifted clear of timed into Howth Harbour at about thorough knowledge of the area, out- the water, began flashing SOS on their 2330 on Saturday, August 28, 1976, the standing seamanship and great courage. torch and firing their shotgun to attract yacht Sulabassana of Holyhead, a 32' For this service a bar to his bronze attention. The water was at chest level Nicholson, attempted to pass inside the medal for gallantry has been awarded to where they stood. buoys marking the rocks off the end of Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Whittle. At about 1945, holidaymakers, parked Howth East Pier and grounded heavily. Medal service certificates have been in their car in Greenway Lane, saw and Mr Boyle at the lighthouse immedi- presented to Second Coxswain John heard the signals and drove to the ately informed Frank Hendy, who is the Walsh, Motor Mechanic Joseph village for help; they were directed to boatman of Howth Yacht Club and Murphy, Assistant Mechanic Brendan the house of Joseph Jordan, a warden retired motor mechanic of the Howth Glody and Crew Members Stanley on the Nature Reserve section of the lifeboat. The honorary secretary of the Power, Jnr., Kieran O'Dwyer and Louis marshes. lifeboat station was also informed. O'Dwyer. Mr Jordan had lived all his life in Frank Hendy, who was in bed, dressed Stiffkey and has an intimate knowledge immediately, and taking Tony Brown Eastern Division of the marshes, spending much of his who was on the pier and who, as his working life there as a fisherman. Wear- father owns a 32' Nicholson, is familiar Tidal alert ing oilskins and waders and carrying a with the design and her gear, went out in DURING THE AFTERNOON of Saturday, staff, torch, oars and rowlocks, he Howth YC 18' clinker-built launch to September 25, 1976, tidal alerts were immediately walked to the car park and help. issued for the east coast of England, saw other cars shining their lights north The weather was fine with good forecasting danger levels on the pm by east towards a small flashing light. visibility but a strong breeze, force 6, tide; this was three days after the height He was aware of the tidal alert, and was blowing from the east giving a very of spring tides. observing that the water level was heavy and confused sea on the rocks at Two men, father and son, from the already some two feet above the shingle the end of the east pier. It was two hours inland village of Walsingham decided path, he 'felt' his way to the footbridge before high water. to spend the evening duck shooting on with his staff and located a small dinghy Frank Hendy took the launch close the marshes north of the village of moored on the edge of the large 12' deep in along the east pier, turning to Stiff key. They had verified the predicted creek; to board it from land already starboard as soon as he was clear of the high water times, but no check had been submerged to a depth of four feet was rocks at its end. He went alongside the made of possible adverse local weather extremely dangerous for an elderly non- starboard side of Sulabassana, starboard or tidal conditions. High water for the swimmer. side to, and Tony Brown jumped aboard Stiff key area was predicted at 2057; wind By about 2030 Mr Jordan reached the the yacht. Frank Hendy then told Tony east south east, strong force 6. 11' dinghy, awash in the bottom boards, Brown to hoist the sails, which the crew At 1800 father and son arrived by and cutting the moorings he boarded had got in, and bring the sheets right aft car at the seaward end of Greenway and began pulling across the top of the to lay the boat over and reduce her Lane, walked down the shingle track marsh toward the flashing light. Shouts draught. The yacht was bumping badly across the marshes to the footbridge were exchanged between Mr Jordan on the rocks and the launch touched spanning a deep creek and crossed the and the survivors and at about 2055 he the rocks hard two or three times with open marsh northwards. The area is reached them—only realising there were both her hull and outboard. divided by innumerable creek tributaries two men when within 20 yards of their The launch then took a line from the 262 yacht to try to tow her clear. Once her to beach her in a sheltered part of the veered to west by north and strengthened sails were hoisted and sheeted in, the harbour. Instead, while the ILB stood to force 6 to 7, near gale. The coxswain yacht, lifted by seas which were increas- by to give help, they started up the therefore decided that this would be his ing as the east-going tide started, began engine and weighed anchor intending to last trip, as he considered that it was to move. Towed by the launch she finally pick up a mooring in the harbour. This dangerous to try to put libertymen on came clear. Tony Brown immediately they tried to do, but without success, the ship in these conditions. He returned lowered the sails and Frank Hendy by anchoring up wind of the mooring to the shelter of the jetty at Bouley Bay towed the yacht into the harbour and up and allowing themselves to be blown and picked up a mooring, intending to to shallow water at its head; he thought down on to the mooring. go ashore. the yacht would probably have been At about 1200 the crew of the yacht In the meanwhile the ship's whaleboat damaged and might sink. In fact practi- indicated that their anchor was dragging was continuing to ferry the libertymen cally no damage was done. and that they were abandoning Up back to the ship, so Graeme Mercier During the few minutes this service Spirits. As she was rolling heavily, her decided he and his crew had better took, the lifeboat crew were being mast frequently lying flat on the sea, it remain aboard; he was not happy about assembled, but by the time they reached was too dangerous to attempt an along- the conditions in which the whaleboat the boathouse the yacht was off the side rescue. Mervyn Thomas therefore was working. He also took into con- rocks and in harbour. told the two men to jump into the sea sideration the safety of Duchess of For this service the bronze medal for one at a time while he waited astern of Normandy; it was not unknown for gallantry was awarded to Frank Hendy the yacht to pick them up. moorings to part in Bouley Bay. and the thanks of the Institution The ILB returned to station, landed At 0204, November 3, uss Sellers inscribed on vellum were accorded to the two men, and was rehoused and radioed Duchess of Normandy asking Tony Brown. ready for service at 1300. for help as her whaleboat had been Up Spirits was blown on to the beach swamped close to the ship and a number Western Division at 1300, and was eventually recovered of men were in the water. Graeme and taken to Pembroke for repair. Her Mercier immediately called Jersey radio Weather deteriorated owner subsequently made a donation to and asked for the lifeboat and any other ON THE EVENING of Wednesday, the Institution through New Quay's possible assistance to go to the ship in September 8, 1976, the yacht Up Spirits honorary secretary. Bouley Bay. At the same time he cast anchored in New Quay Bay. Her owner For this service the thanks of the off and went back to Sellers. and one member of the crew remained on Institution inscribed on vellum have When he reached the ship he found board while the other slept ashore. been accorded to Helmsman Mervyn L. several men holding on to ropes During the night the weather deterior- Thomas. Vellum service certificates have hanging from the stern. He got one ated and on the morning of September 9 been presented to Coxswain David aboard, but was assured by Sellers that the wind was north east by north gale Winston Evans and Crew Members they could look after the remaining men force 8, sea state 5, with the ebb across Richard L. Davies and Morlais H. on the ropes and he was asked to go to the wind. The sky was overcast and Davies. the rescue of more men who were with driving rain, at times, reduced visibility the whaleboat, which was drifting fast to poor. South Western Division to leeward. The Coastguard, who described Graeme Mercier set off to search for conditions in the bay as the worst that Eleven rescued the whaleboat and, on his way, found a he had seen during his eight years at the ON THE MORNING OF Monday, November lone man clutching a lifejacket. He was station, went to the house of New Quay 1, 1976, the uss Sellers, a guided missile got on board the Duchess in a state of lifeboat station honorary secretary at destroyer, arrived in Jersey waters to exhaustion. After further search the 1050 and told him that Up Spirits was pay a courtesy visit. It was originally whaleboat was spotted; she was com- rolling and pitching heavily with no intended that she should anchor in St pletely waterlogged but upright. Nine shelter at her anchorage. The honorary Aubin's Bay but as the wind was men were standing in the well. All were secretary went to the beach and decided freshening from the south west she was embarked in Duchess of Normandy but to launch the D class ILB, choosing her diverted to Bouley Bay on the north in the process one man was injured. rather than the lifeboat because he coast of the island. Sellers had only one Graeme Mercier subsequently learnt thought her more suitable to work in serviceable ship's boat, a 25' whaleboat, that eight men had scrambled up the the shallow water on a lee shore. so the States of Jersey fast launch, the side of the destroyer and there were thus The crew were already assembled at 40' Duchess of Normandy, was chartered a total of 19 survivors. However, the the boathouse and the ILB was launched to help ferry libertymen to and from the coxswain of the whaleboat thought there at 1100 with four men in the crew to jetty at Bouley Bay during her visit. had been 20 men aboard in all. give additional weight. Mervyn Thomas, On the evening of Tuesday, November By 0218 Duchess of Normandy had the most experienced ILB helmsman 2, Duchess of Normandy crewed by returned to the jetty at Bouley Bay and at the station, was in command, with Graeme Mercier, her coxswain, Graeme landed the 11 survivors, several of Winston Evans, Richard Davies and Marett and Jean Rivoallen, began whom needed medical treatment; an Morlais Davies as crew. ferrying libertymen back to the ship at ambulance had been called. On a north-easterly course, the ILB 2300. There was a moderate to fresh A few minutes later, having cast off made her way slowly through the rough westerly breeze and a swell. from the jetty, Graeme Mercier located sea to Up Spirits, and advised her crew On the second trip the wind had (continued on page 285)

SERVICES AND LIVES SAVED BY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE LIFEBOATS January 1, 1976 to December 31, 1976: Services 2,813; lives saved 1,027 THE STATION FLEET (as at 31/12/76) 132 offshore lifeboats 123 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer 48 inshore lifeboats operating in the winter LIVES RESCUED 102,047 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to December 31,1976

263 Revision of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea Coming into force 1200 zone time, July 15, 1977 AN INTRODUCTION TO AN INTRODUCTION by Leslie J. Vipond Inspector, Mobile Training Unit

AS A YOUNG MAN, determined to follow the sea as a career, I points out the changes being made, but it is up to all seamen grew up to fear the 'Articles'. The International Regulations to get hold of a copy of the International Regulations for for Preventing Collisions at Sea were the cross borne by Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (they can be found, by every aspiring second mate's examination candidate. Longer the way, in 'Reed's Nautical Almanac') and study them than anyone could be expected to learn word perfect, they carefully, in full. were more daunting than the mate, even less compromising In becoming lifeboatmen, we are following our humane than the bosun and, if the third mate was to be believed, the instincts. Being lifeboatmen, we must follow certain rules, barrier thrown up the, then, Board of Trade (now Department so from the beginning: These Rules shall apply to all vessels of Trade and Industry) examiners which only a very select upon the high seas. . . . few were ever allowed to penetrate to achieve that exalted state: a 'ticket' holder. MERCHANT SHIPPING NOTICE No. M.761 Only later, having come to terms with EOT examiners and other hazards, and faced with the prospect of training other Notice to Owners, Masters, Skippers and Seamen of Merchant seamen in the interpretation of these great mysteries, was I Ships, Fishing Vessels and Yachts able to take a calm look at the Regulations. (Crown copyright. Reproduced with the These Regulations must be truly international, and in- permission of the Controller of Her dependent of language problems. Apart from a system of Majesty's Stationery Office) lights and sound signals, there is usually no communication between two vessels involved in a potential collision situation. An International Conference was held in London from 4 Only by knowing and obeying the Regulations will collisions October to 20 October 1972 for the purpose of revising the be avoided. Only by possessing a deep knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea Regulations can any seaman deal with a situation involving 1960. The Conference determined revised regulations which several vessels, possibly in poor visibility, and perhaps even will come into force internationally at 1200 hours zone time with areas of shallow water close at hand. on 15 July 1977. In the United Kingdom it is intended that the When a lifeboat goes to sea on service the coxswain and Collision Regulations (Ships and Seaplanes on the Water) crew may have to deal with just such situations, probably and Signals of Distress (Ships) Order 1965 should then be in extreme weather, and, in addition, conduct a search and revoked and it is expected that a new Order in Council will rescue. How well they need to know the 'Articles'! be made. The 'Articles' have been revised again as the result of an The Final Act of the International Conference on Revision international conference held in October 1972. On publica- of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at tion, great interest was shown by everyone involved in the Sea, 1972 has been published in a White Paper (Cmnd 5471, practical application of the Regulations, but as time passed November 1973, HMSO, 50p net). and a starting date stretched into the future, interest wained. It is considered desirable that at this stage the attention of By agreement, the new Regulations were to come into force all concerned should be drawn to the main differences between one year from the date upon which a specified majority of the current Regulations and the Regulations agreed in 1972. maritime nations became signatories to the conference. This The revised Collision Regulations comprise 38 Rules and 4 has now taken place and the appointed time for the revised Annexes; as compared with the current Regulations they have Regulations to come into force is 1200 on July 15, 1977. been extensively rewritten, extended in scope and completely I have some words of comfort for those who, like myself, rearranged. The essentials behind the detailed requirements may consider themselves rather long in the seaboot to start remain as in the present (and indeed previous) Regulations learning new tricks. No radical changes are at hand, but the but there are a number of ways in which the new Rules Rules have been modified to deal with the evolution taking develop those now in force, and there are therefore many place at sea in, for instance, the increase in speed of many differences of detail. Their appearance is also quite different, ships—including lifeboats—and increase in draught. for the Rules have now been arranged so that the Steering and The Regulations have been rearranged, but they now have a Sailing Rules immediately follow the Introductory section more logical sequence. Technical material has been moved while extensive Annexes have been introduced which contain into annexes and it is hoped that even if the requirements and greatly expand much of the detail as to lights and sound contained in these annexes may have to be adjusted from time signals. Distress signals also previously in the Rules have now to time, the application of the Rules themselves will be with been moved to an Annex. The use of these Annexes means us for the foreseeable future. that the Rules themselves are appreciably more concise than Certain aspects of good basic seamanship, like the im- the current Regulations. portance of keeping a good lookout, have been emphasized, Because of the rearrangement direct comparison with the and the Rules contain points to be considered when choosing existing regulations rule by rule is not possible; instead con- a 'safe' speed. sideration of the changes which have been brought in can The old maxims upon which the Rules have always been best be made by looking at each Part of the new Rules in turn. based still hold true. Vessels in trouble can expect the assistance Part A (Rules 1-3) covers application, responsibility of of every other vessel to hand, and vessels best able to owner, master and crew and general definitions. (Other manoeuvre will continue to keep clear of those less advan- definitions are in Rules 21 and 32 and Annex 1, paragraph 1.) tageously placed. In taking action we must act early and Broadly this part replaces Rules 1,13, 27, 29 and 30 of the significantly. present Rules. Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.761, which follows, (continued on page 280) 264 Head Protection

FOR LIFEBOAT CREWS

by Stuart Welford, BTech MiMechE MRINA

Research and Development Officer, RNLI

IMAGINE A JANUARY AFTERNOON. Not to the speed of air over the face. If The author wearing RNLI visor and helmet much wind, but a cold front forecast; travelling at 30 knots boat speed into in the working section of the wind tunnel. the light will fade in a couple of hours; gale force winds this would result in a During these tests, with wind and spray wind and sea will be getting up and the relative wind speed of over 60 knots. travelling at 50 knots and the ambient temperature is dropping all the time. While some might be able to take this temperature down near freezing, conditions Not ideal conditions for a winter inshore treatment for half an hour or possibly were unpleasant even with the best protection. lifeboat service, but there's no time to more, most would have frozen faces They were intolerable after a minute or two think about that: the maroons have just and running eyes and it might be with a bare head. gone up. A boat is reported in trouble essential, for safe and efficient naviga- close inshore about eight miles down tion, to ease the speed. Balaclavas, hoods year, a wide range of possible subjects the coast. So, on with the waterproof or lower face masks help but are not the was narrowed down to 'clear vision in gear, and lifejackets, and off goes total solution. adverse conditions'. By the end of 1975 Atlantic 21 and crew; but with wind and If, in the hypothetical service, it was a good deal of preliminary work had spray, faces and eyes are going to take then to start raining, the droplets would been completed and an agreement a lot of punishment. sting the face and especially the eyes. drawn up between NRDC, the RNLI Lifejackets have been a symbol of Rain is generally reckoned to be more and the Marine Technology Support lifeboat crews for well over a hundred aggravating to crew than spray, pre- Unit (MATSU) at Harwell, specifically years. The present lifejackets are the sumably because, being sporadic, spray 'to develop improved goggles or visors result of an intensive development can be seen coming and the head can . for use in lifeboats'. programme in the 1960s (see 'Medical be ducked. The worst treatment the bare Initially it was thought that wind- Arrangements in the RNLI' by Geoffrey face can receive in an ILB is driving screen wipers and clear vision screens Hale, THE LIFEBOAT, volume XLIV, hail; the crew just cannot see ahead and should also be investigated, but after number 454) and are now capable of speed has to be reduced, for safety, to a discussion it was agreed that if research self righting an unconscious wearer. few knots. were limited to the individual visor/ Protective clothing has changed con- Soon after the ILB was an established goggle problem, less hardware and siderably from the original stiff oilskins part of the lifeboat scene, faster offshore experimental testing would be involved, and sou-wester, although with modern lifeboats were introduced, the first being making for economy. Any knowledge materials and design the choice is so the 44' Waveney self righting class, to gained about materials, coatings and wide that finding a single off-the-shelf an initial US Coast Guard design. With possibly shapes might well be of use, product which suits all ILB crews has their greater power and speed compared later, to help in solving the through- not so far been possible. with conventional boats it was soon windscreen visibility problem. In addi- Thigh boots and waterproof gloves found that, at speed in rough water, the tion it was hoped that if the visor/goggle are available to crew members, but crew had to be aware of the lively vision was improved, a potential market again personal tastes vary considerably, motions due to wave impact if injury might be opened up in the powerboat so not all are satisfied. Since most water- was to be avoided. Fairly soon a field, high-speed yachting, motor cycling proof suits have hoods, the face is the suggestion that helmets be issued for and in the Services. only part of the body not provided for; use in these boats was accepted; the Once it was established that visors this was a problem which had to be USCG already used helmets in their were to be developed the work went tackled because, apart from any other own 44' boats. A one size helmet with ahead in three broad stages: consideration, one fifth of total body an adjustable headband and chin bridle heat loss is via the head. incorporating cut-outs to enable crews 1. Initial investigations and trials A recent programme of initial to hear one another was eventually Inshore lifeboatmen who had obtained research, followed by tests and develop- selected. These helmets were made their own headgear were consulted and an assessment made of their selections ment trials, has resulted in the adoption available for all other self-righting life- and of other commercially available of a special RNLI visor mounted on a boats since it was felt that the violence helmets and visors. MATSU undertook motorcycle type helmet. Armed with of capsize and self righting in enclosed a literature survey of materials, water- this headgear it is intended that the cabins and wheelhouses could result in repellent coatings and water-shedding wearer will be able to see better, keep severe injury to the head. When used devices. NRDC investigated patents and warmer and remain drier in the sort of with the optional press-studded peak, reviewed the potential market. Trials conditions likely in the hypothetical this helmet also gave slight face pro- were arranged in an Atlantic 21 for service referred to above. Bonuses of tection to inshore lifeboatmen who had MATSU staff accompanied by RNLI no windscreen or wheelhouse for technical and operational staff. About a head protection when working along- dozen combinations of commercial pro- side the casualty or in a capsize among shelter. ducts and a number of specially developed rocks, and ease of being seen, are also In 1974 the National Research and RNLI-produced visors were tried out. intended. Development Corporation (NRDC) In an actual service under such con- offered help to the RNLI in the blanket 2. Tests, reports and patents ditions the first problem would have form of 'encouraging technical innova- MATSU arranged for a series of been the cold, with occasional bursts of tion'. No specific field of aid had been studies and some laboratory tests, spray aggravated by a chill factor due suggested but, during the following (continued on page 267) 265 tight during the time the boat was capsized. Watertighting, when the engines are inverted, has been achieved by the introduction of three gravity valves, with minimum mechanical movement, designed at the RNLI depot, Cowes (patents have been applied for), used in conjunction with flexible sealants. 1. Air intake valve: Housed in a casing on top of the motor cover is a hori- zontal tubular valve attached to a hooded air intake scoop in such a way that both are free to pivot together through 360°. The scoop slopes down aft to the motor cover and acts as a pendulum. In normal running, air is sucked up through the scoop into the end of the tubular valve and out again through a port in its top, to make its way to the engine. Should the boat capsize, the pendulum hoods swings through 180°, turning the valve so that its port is closed and water cannot pene- trate. A secondary function of the valve, OUTBOARD but still important, is the protection of the air intake from spray, should the boat come upright stern to breaking Watertight seas. If excessive swing of the air intake scoop were to build up while the boat is Keeping the sea out of Atlantic 21 underway, the valve might, inter- engines when inverted mittently, be partially closed, thus in- terrupting the normal, and necessary, flow of air to the engine. To prevent SINCE HER INTRODUCTION to the RNLI to the boat, which cannot blow away this happening, a second pendulum fleet in 1971, the Atlantic 21 inshore while upside-down; the sea anchor has been added inside the scoop. It is lifeboat has not only proved her worth streams automatically when she goes rather like a bell clapper (though neo- on service, but has also shown herself over. When everyone is accounted for, prene bushes on the scoop sides prevent to be a thoroughbred among boats. the crew pull the activating cord which it from sounding like one!), and its With her speed, range, manoeuvrability releases gas to fill the buoyancy bag weight and independent movement and seaworthiness she has opened up a housed on the roll bar aft, and within dampen down swing and discourage whole new line of thought on small boat seconds the boat rights herself. But any over-liveliness. design. there is far more to it than just righting Being a thoroughbred, she must be the boat if the objective—the completion 2. Exhaust capsize valve: Normally handled like one. Crew training is of the service, not the creation of a exhaust gases are discharged through essential if the Atlantic 21 is to give second casualty—is to be achieved. The the propeller, but when the motor is of her best, and one of the first things boat must right and the crew re-board ,Air Intake the crew have to learn is that whereas her; the engines must start; and she Capsize Valve. the natural reaction in the face of danger must be able to complete the rescue with is to slow down, which indeed may be the all equipment, including the radio, in seamanlike action to take, in the working order. Atlantic 21 there are occasions when a Quite a challenge to the RNLI better answer is to use the boat's power technical departments. and manoeuvrability to get out of First and foremost, the engines must trouble. For one thing, the Atlantic 21's be in good shape to re-start on righting; stability is, to a certain extent, increased so they must have remained water- with increased speed. In bad weather the Atlantic 21 is Positions of the three Lower-motor extremely safe running, because she gravity valves designed cover N.R. Valve has enough speed (30 knots) to get at the RNLI depot, Drain. away from unstable seas in shallow East Cowes; when the water. Similarly, going to windward, engine is inverted, they she has the speed to be steered round will keep it watertight. breaking crests; or, when necessary, Exhaust Capsize getting off the beach, she can turn her Valve. bow directly into the breaking wave and use her power to drive through. Photograph above was taken during capsize The boat can continue at a good speed and righting exercise. The crew, clear of the in a beam sea; if in danger from a Atlantic 21 but attached to her by lifeline, have pulled the activating cord, gas has been breaking top, she can turn her quarter released into buoyancy bag and the boat is to the sea and run clear. righting. Note motor cover non-return valves However, although unlikely, a capsize and also the hooded scoops of air intake could happen. In that event the crew, valves (swung through 180°) on after end of in the water, would attach themselves outboard engines. 266 idling the exhaust gases cannot over- Resting at the base of the tube, beneath going astern, this ball will float up and come the water pressure and so idling these holes, is a ball valve. As the engine close the valve. holes are drilled at the top of the exhaust is inverted in a capsize, the ball im- housing by the motor manufacturer. mediately falls into the seat, thus pre- All joints in the engine casing are The exhaust then leaves the exhaust venting water inside the casing from meticulously sealed with flexible sealants housing through these holes and escapes entering the cylinders, while a weighted and vibration reduced to the minimum through two slots in the motor casing. sleeve on a spindle falls down outside by stiffening resilient mountings. To In the event of a capsize, water would the tube to complete the seal. complete the picture, there are non- reach the cylinders via these holes. This return valves in fuel vents; engines are problem has been overcome by blanking 3. Motor cover non-return valve drain: cut out on capsize by a mercury switch off the normal holes and replacing them The motor cover drain at the after in the control panel; batteries are non- with holes of equal area leading into a end of the engine has been modified spill. All motor instruments and wiring horizontal manifold on the side of the with the addition of a simple gravity must, of course, be 100 per cent water- exhaust housing inside the casing. The ball valve which falls to close the tight. exhaust then goes into an exhaust apertures when the engine is inverted. After coming upright from capsize, valve: a perpendicular tube round the An extension contains a buoyant ball it is only a matter of minutes before the top of which are five outlet holes. valve: if the water builds up when engines will be running again—J.D.

faced coatings pick up dirt, although (continued from page 265) providing a better night target in a beam Head Protection of light. The latest British Standard for motorcyling helmets (BS 5361) has including wind tunnel work; as a result air or misting terminated those lines of highlighted our problem by specifying an RNLI designed wrap around visor development. that 'the shell should have a finish (see photograph, page 265) was found to To guide NRDC, MATSU and the that affords good conspicuity'. offer the best combination of desirable RNLI in the various stages of progress, The Institution is currently faced with optical properties and protection. NRDC the option of: (a) re-painting helmets has applied for patents for this visor a steering committee was set up by and also for a separate optical system for Mr K. Grossfield of NRDC which was about every two years; (b) awaiting the obtaining clear vision. The RNLI has a fortunate in having as members, in development of suitable durable bright 25 per cent stake in any royalties on both addition to representatives of the three paints; or (c) turning to self-adhesive these patents. organisations concerned, three experts fluorescent/reflective panels to be added in their own fields: Surgeon Captain to the crown of the helmet. 3. Production and supply to ILB stations J. D. Walters, Institute of Naval In the short term, a number of The RNLI visor has been licensed and Medicine; Mr J. D. Booker, Royal painted Dayglo helmets are still being is now being made by the Psychiatric Aircraft Establishment; and Mr P. evaluated and as an interim measure, to Rehabilitation Association (PRA), there- Davison, Transport and Road Research get the visors in service, white helmets by providing them with satisfying work and the RNLI with a reasonably priced Laboratory. have been purchased and issued. These article. NRDC and MATSU meanwhile The advice and experience of these were found to be more easily seen at are offering production rights on the men were most welcome, and it is dusk and in a beam of light at night at optical patent to appropriate manu- gratifying that both Captain Walters, several hundred yards than any other facturers. on behalf of the Navy, and Mr Davison standard colour available. The Dayglo- for road users, are still pursuing their fluorescent and retro-reflective finishes The production visor consists of a own investigations on the helmet/visor were, of course, better in all visual shape punched out of a sheet of 1 mm combination which the RNLI has respects, but until they can withstand unbreakable clear plastic, with two selected. One particular bonus brought the rigours of use and abuse for, say, adjustable position fixing studs at the out by Mr Davison's investigations is two to three years, they will continue lower outboard ends, and locating lugs that glare caused by wet visors when to be experimental only. which tuck under the peak. The side lights are shone at them can straightway The RNLI hopes to offer lightweight, profile of the visor presents a downward be eliminated simply by tilting the head; bright and comfortable helmets and rearward slope from peak-tip to the conventional visors would need to be visors first to Atlantic 21 and eventually nose. This means that the deflected air retracted or removed. to all ILB crews. The helmet without flow acts in the same direction as gravity So, after initial use by the RNLI at visor will also be of use for offshore to clear most of the water impinging on sea, perhaps the visor will become lifeboat crews. In some Waveney class it. Any droplets remaining are, due to popular with motorcyclists. Our manu- boats they have been found to filter the visor shape, well inside the eye's focal facturers, PRA, hope to place it on the out the noise in the wheelhouse and yet length and one can thus see quite easily motorcyle market and since it is permit the spoken word to be heard. through them. Most commercial visors, designed to fit all sizes of four of the In the future, with the development due to their forward slope in way of the major types of helmet, it is hoped it will of radio equipment capable of working eyes, do not so easily clear droplets suit most others. in a very wet environment, the incor- since gravity and air flow oppose each While not a first aim of the project, poration of earphones and a microphone other. it has always been the RNLI's intention attached to a lightweight personal radio The lower edge of the visor is about to select a helmet finished in a bright, may be feasible. 10° below horizontal (the eye's normal clear colour. The finish of the original To sum up, the basis now exists for line of vision in relaxed posture) and one-size helmet selected some years head protection from damage, cold, wet this enables the wearer to see with ago was Dayglo orange, but it has and, to a limited extent, fire. The main totally unobstructed vision simply by become faded due to exposure to ultra objective of the project, ease of vision tilting the head up about 10°, or to see violet light and chipped with age. A in adverse conditions, has been achieved. through rain, spray and hail, by tilting number of firms have co-operated in Further, crew now have a better chance the head down. producing fluorescent painted helmet of being seen—and there may be still Extending the visor downward to pro- samples, but after six months of use, or further improvement in this field—and tect the lower part of the face and even non-use, deficiencies in painted finally there is the possibility of a new including slots had also been in- versions have emerged. Gloss finished mode of communication. All these vestigated, but other problems such as painted surfaces seem to chip away from features have already emerged from an the concentration of liquid, turbulent the plastic shell easily and matt sur- interesting and continuing project. 267 Sea Beat

POLICEMEN AND THE LIFEBOAT SERVICE by Joan Davies

'COME ON, BEN,' and as Bridlington life- Glister Award for the most meritorious water in an inflatable boat, searching boat prepares to launch on service service of the year performed by the through a swell; with their radios, they Police Constable Usher quickly boards crew of an inshore lifeboat. He had can quickly pass directions to be relayed as seventh man; 'I'll come with you,' leapt from the ILB in a dangerously by the Coastguard to the boat. and at Douglas Chief Inspector Robin rocky area among masses of loose sea- In most areas of the north east, a Corrin (later Deputy Chief Constable) weed in an attempt to save the girl and, young police officer volunteering to join helps make up a scratch crew—the although washed ashore exhausted, had a lifeboat crew has the active backing of maroons had gone up while the fishing doggedly gone back into the sea again his senior officers, as he would have fleet, and so most of the crew, were at and again. It had been a police constable were he to choose to take part in any sea; or at Blyth Superintendent Glad- on top of the sea wall who had directed other community service in his free time. stone, now of Whitley Bay, goes out the boat to the position of the casualty, He will get practical help; if, for instance, with the lifeboat as signaller—the crew and who managed to grab Barry Pike a change is needed in his duty rota to was short. . . Dramatic pierhead jumps, and pull him out, barely conscious as, free him at a certain time for lifeboat maybe, but they illustrate how close are after being thrown on the shore by the work, his request will receive sym- the bonds in many coastal areas between waves, he was sucked back by the under- pathetic consideration. That makes a the police force and lifeboat service. tow. He opened his eyes to see the silver great deal of difference. And then, the It is not surprising that the police braid of a superintendent leaning over senior officers themselves may well be should be there, on the spot, in an him, asking if he was all right. serving on station branch committees. emergency. The police station may well Hartlepool ILB crew remember a call Chief Superintendent George have been the first to hear that someone that came from the police station on Cameron, following in the footsteps of is in difficulty at sea. On one occasion Christmas Eve, 1974. It was 2330. 'We Chief Superintendent Frank Burge as a at Blyth, when a call came through, the want your boat—Merry Christmas . . .' member of Hartlepool station branch police officer on the desk immediately committee, himself comes from a handed over to a colleague and within On station Boulmer and Alnmouth lifeboat family. minutes was chest-deep in the surf help- The police force is well represented in His grandfather and uncle, William and ing to launch the ILB. It is far from lifeboat crews, particularly for inshore Robert Stephenson, were both cox- unusual for a service report to start like work; about a quarter of the ILB swains, spanning the years 1898 to 1929 this one: stations have a police officer or two on between them. William Stephenson was their crew lists, although, as one man is awarded the silver medal for gallantry 'Torquay Police informed Brixham posted elsewhere or another volunteer in 1913 for the rescue of 25 French Coastguard at 1537 on October 5, comes forward, the names may change; fishermen from the trawler Tadorne, 1973, that a girl was in the water off •Aberdeen and Sunderland have a wrecked in fog while outward bound Meadfoot Beach and asked for the particularly good representation. And from Boulogne to the Iceland fishing help of the ILB it is not really surprising, either, that grounds. Chief Superintendent For that service, Motor Mechanic policemen should make good lifeboat- Cameron's father, John, was motor Barry Pike, an ex-policeman, was men. The characteristics demanded by mechanic at Boulmer from 1931 to awarded the Institution's silver medal the one way of life are, after all, those 1952, and tractor driver before that. for gallantry, as well as the Ralph which would be looked for in the other; He knows from first hand the concern perhaps most important, the ability to which will take a lifeboatman down to take initiative combined with that sense the boathouse every night of the winter Barry Pike, an ex-policeman, was Motor of discipline which makes a man a to trim paraffin lamps and make sure Mechanic at Torbay when he was awarded reliable member of a team. Policemen the engines will be ready if needed; as a the silver medal for gallantry and the Ralph would also, automatically be trained in boy he used to walk down with his Glister award for a service on October 5,1973. first aid and swimming—and, of course, father. having radio communication, they are Fund raising? There are sure to be easy to alert when a call comes. members of the force joining in, too. It goes even deeper than that, for in There is PC Arthur Sykes, for instance many parts of the country police (now a sergeant back at Bridlington), officers have positive encouragement to who, while at Flamborough, gave participate in lifeboat work: it starts at tremendous support in every way to the top. Nowhere is this more true than the branch and guild—social activities, on the north east coast of England. In fund raising, flag days. Last autumn, that area, when the maroons go up, it even though, several years ago, he had is more than likely that panda cars will been transferred to an inland town, he be out helping to rush crews to the set off with PC John Myhill on a lifeboat-house; or, where a carriage boat sponsored walk from Fleetwood to has to be hauled by her tractor across the Flamborough in aid of the RNLI. They road for a beach launch, as at Redcar, walked 152 miles in five days, raising the police will be there to control traffic. £1,260—and what a welcome awaited Policemen may well be used as spotters, them in Flamborough! Then the North particularly when there are bathers in Humberside Police Military Band and trouble: from a cliff, or any vantage Male Voice Choir have given two point giving a little height, they will concerts at Withernsea in aid of the probably have a better view over the sea RNLI, the first organised by the Lions than the ILB crew low down on the Club. Crew members at Hartlepool, 268 Pioneering again, it was at Tyne- time Bobbie Brunton had served as mouth, established as an RNLI lifeboat second coxswain; he had joined the station in 1862, that the first motor crew in 1949, just two years after Tyne- powered lifeboat, /. McConnell Hussey, sider, Tynemouth's present 46' 9" housed was placed in 1905, under the supervision slipway Watson lifeboat, first went on of Lieutenant (later Major) H. E. Burton, station. Mr Denham Christie, who was a Royal Engineer member of the New- managing director of the Swan Hunter castle and Tynemouth branch. As local Group and is now their adviser on seamen, used to sail and oar, were training and safety, has been a member reluctant at first to accept the petrol of the Committee of Management engine, Lieut. Burton manned the boat since 1962 and, not counting Sir William with his own sappers until, eight months Hillary, is only the second coxswain to later, a crew of local men was built up. serve on that committee. He is now Lieut. Burton, at their request, re- chairman of Tynemouth branch. mained as honorary superintendent of When Bobbie Brunton reached the Tynemouth lifeboat, and, with Coxswain time for retirement last November, he Robert Smith, was in the crew of Henry was succeeded as coxswain by Captain Vernon (which replaced the first experi- John Hogg, master mariner and a Tyne mental motor boat in 1911) on the River pilot. There are 19 in the Tyne- service to ss Dunelm in 1913 and the mouth crew, eight of whom are eligible, service to HM hospital ship Rohilla in by age, to form the crew of the D class 1914; Henry Vernon took off the last 50 ILB which came on station in 1965. survivors from Rohilla after steaming Some of the crew are seamen; foyboat- 45 miles by night along an unlit coast men, like Assistant Mechanic Frederick against the gale—and then had to Arkley (who, with Trevor Fryer, a joiner struggle back into Whitby Harbour by trade, won the bronze medal in 1974 through terrific seas. For the former for an ILB service to the tug Northsider, To commemorate Tynemouth lifeboat service both men were awarded the driven ashore in a gale while trying to station's centenary, in 1962, a stained glass window was dedicated in Christ Church, silver medal for gallantry, for the latter help a grounded oil exploration vessel) North Shields. It depicts the Original, 1789, the gold. Those were days of close and master mariner H. L. Park. Other Constance, on station in 1862, a«rfTynesider. association between army and lifeboat ways of life are also represented, and photograph by courtesy of R. W. Ridley service. that includes the police. The pioneering tradition has 'Close by the fish quay' . . . those are including several policemen, are sturdy continued, for, in the 1960s, Tynemouth perhaps the relevant words. Chief fund raisers, and, in that town, WPC was one of the places chosen by Professor Inspector Robert Rutherford has been Dodd has her own 'beat' in guild work. Pask and his working party for sea in the crew now for nearly 25 years; but Going, just for a moment, further trials of available lifejackets (watched, when he became a crew member he was south down the east coast, the first Dr Geoffrey Hale who served on the PC33, his beat on the fish quay. He was woman all-round Chief Inspector in working party remembers, by inquisitive at hand to get to know the lifeboat, get the Essex police force, Lorna Brooks, seals). As a result of these and other to know lifeboat people, to help them— appointed last October at Basildon, is a trials and much experimental work, the then to join them. Sergeant John Norris, keen and hard working member of present RNLI lifejacket was evolved. who has served as assistant winchman Canvey Island branch. That was in the days when Robert and is a 'founder member' of the ILB Throughout the north east, a thread Brunton, DSM, was coxswain. crew, came by the same route—a beat of constabulary blue runs through the Robert 'Bobbie' Brunton took over as on the fish quay. cloth, but let us see how the pattern coxswain in 1963 from P. Denham The first time PC Robert Rutherford, appears at just two of the stations: Christie, vice-chairman of the branch as he then was, went out in Tynesider it Tynemouth and Withernsea. and coxswain for 9| years, during which was on the longest service the Tyne-

Tynemouth Night launch for Tynesider, Tynemouth's 46' 9" Watson lifeboat. Watching over the approaches to a photograph by courtesy of Newcastle Journal port, on the north bank of the Tyne, close by the fish quay, Tynemouth life- boat station is part of a busy shipping river; part of its present life and of its history. If was the Tyne, back in the late eighteenth century, that saw much of the earliest pioneering of lifeboat design, when from despair at the help- lessness of those on shore to save drown- ing seamen within their sight there emerged determination to find some solution. The Gentlemen of the La we House' and the prize they offered for the best design for a boat to save life at sea; William Wouldhave of South Shields and his model of a boat which would right herself; the Original, built by Greathead and launched at South Shields in 1789 which, manned by Tyne pilots, rescued hundreds of people without the loss of one of her own crew. Thirty more boats were built to the same design and sent to different parts of the country. 269 mouth lifeboat has ever done. She went expedition through almost unknown inspector of lifeboats, first Bob Walton out to a German motor vessel, Hans waterways in western Canada, led by and later Lieut.-Commander Harry Hoth, listing and in difficulties some Captain Sir Ranulph Twistleton-Wyke- Teare, an ILB station was established 88 miles north north east of the Tyne, ham-Fiennes, Ben was invited to go in 1974. Among other members of the and stood by until a tug arrived and with them in charge of their boat: an branch committee was Chief Super- took over. Tynesider was at sea for 33 inflatable of the type used by the RNLI. intendent Dennis Harper, later to be hours; when she got back to station, With four months leave of absence, followed by Chief Superintendent her crew remember well, she had three Ben joined the Headless Valley expedi- Duffill. From the first Ben Usher has gallons of diesel fuel in one tank: the tion: from Fort Nelson against the been concerned with crew training, and other was empty. current up the Fort Nelson River, the he has usually had one or two police- PC Rutherford was awarded the Lower Liard and South Nahani Rivers men among other volunteers to join the Royal Humane Society's testimonial on to the Virginia Falls—twice the height crew. parchment for his part in the rescue of a of Niagara. Back by the same way to There is terrific local pride in the ILB. 73-year-old man in January, 1959. While Fort Nelson, then across land to the As soon as the maroons go off people on his beat, he was told that a man was Yukon border, to take to the rivers come down and line the sea wall to in the water near the jetty's edge. He again; down Hyland River, the Upper watch—and one or two interesting immediately jumped in and for 27 Liard, the Kechika, along Williston— things are happening, as Ben explains: minutes supported the elderly man until a man-made lake—Parsnip River, 'It is always a fairly spectacular launch a boat came to the rescue. It was that Crooked River to a series of lakes— off that beach. The sea rolls in in a pretty same year, 1959, that he became assistant Kerry, Tudyah, Macleod and Summit, a nasty fashion. People watch the boat going motor mechanic of Tynemouth station, portage across to the mighty Fraser and perhaps begin to realise that the sea an appointment he held until 1969 when, River, down to Vancouver, out into the isn't quite such a placid lake as they his own responsibilities increasing, he Georgia Straits and across to Point thought it was.' By watching, people are became emergency motor mechanic. He Roberts in the United States. About learning a lot about boat handling, too, is never troubled by seasickness, so, on a 2,000 miles, the length of British and it is noticeable that they are putting long service, it is always he who makes Columbia, through the Rocky Moun- into practice what they have learned the soup! Now his son, another Robert, tains. Fast-flowing waters, rapids to be when they themselves put to sea. has joined the ILB crew. shot, whirlpools, shallows: quite an Standards are rising, and that in itself John Richardson, a police sergeant education in boat handling. is a very useful spin-off. and later a court official, is head launcher Back in England, Ben Usher was The first award for bravery for the for Tynesider, and has served in that posted to Withernsea, essentially a new ILB station at Withernsea was for capacity and as a launcher for a dozen holiday resort with a population that in- a service on August 30, 1974. PC Usher years or so. He is also a member of St creases ten fold in the summer months— was just signing off duty on that after- John Ambulance Association and or even more if caravan and chalet noon when a call came through to the Brigade and helps with first aid training. sites down the coast, empty in winter, desk from the owner of a cafe by the are taken into account. And the people shore to say that two children had come Withernsea take to the sea. There is a boat club, running in, in great distress. They had If Tynemouth is old in lifeboat work, well organised and well disciplined, but been bathing when, with the wind and Withernsea, at least in its present life, other than that there are bathers, small waves, they had begun to get into is young. A former station, dating from boats, fishing cobles, tiny rubber difficulties. They had managed to 1862, was closed in 1913. dinghies, children on inflatable beds. struggle back to the beach but their two When Withernsea was re-opened as Feeling that if help were needed by this friends were drifting out to sea. an ILB station in 1974, the main community there would not be time for Ben Usher went immediately to the initiative for its formation came, in fact, one of the flanking lifeboats to get there, boathouse and, realising that the from a policeman: PC Ben Usher. He Ben Usher called an open meeting with a situation was critical, asked a colleague had come to the town with experience view to applying for an ILB at Withern- to inform the Coastguard and the out of the common run. He was a sea. The idea had already been mooted honorary secretary that he and Terry swimmer, holding a formidable array by other people and the meeting was Dawson, who was also at the boathouse, of lifesaving awards; he had sailed well attended. A steering committee were launching the boat. So rough was while in the army in Hong Kong; when was formed and the RNLI approached. the sea that eye witnesses were convinced he joined the police in 1966 he was After a great deal of background that the ILB would not be able to get posted to Bridlington where he became work on the part of the divisional (continued on page 287) an ILB crew member and occasionally went out as seventh man in the lifeboat Senior Crew Member PC Ben Usher at Withernsea ILB station, in the establishment of which —he was in the crew for the service he played an important part. photograph by courtesy of Humberside Police on the night of September 13, 1970, for which Crew Member Fred Walkington, now coxswain of Bridlington lifeboat, was accorded the thanks of the Institu- tion on vellum . . . 'It was a rough night. That was when Fred jumped off the life- boat on to the foredeck of a little glass fibre boat. He was lying on the foredeck holding the rope on to the cleat which was simply bolted to the glass fibre deck— we expected it to splinter and come adrift at any time. But he did a good job that night, jumping on to that foredeck. . . .' One thing leads to another ... In the winter of 1970 a BBC film team, with Richard Robinson as producer and Paul Berriff as cameraman, came to make a film of Bridlington lifeboat. When, the next spring, this same team was prepar- ing to make a documentary film of an 270 Some

Burry Port ladies' guild put on a memorable performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs last Christmas, produced by Janet Cross with a large cast of youngsters. With only a one-night stand, tickets were sold out weeks in advance and a profit of £.270 was made for RNLI funds. So high was the standard of production that the public are already asking for more.

Mrs N. Richards, flag day organiser Marjorie is one of three Thames at Dolgellau and a member of Barmouth barges owned by Albert Groom, a vice- ladies' guild, starting with a float of president of Canvey Island branch. Bodmin Lower School (Compre- £100 early in 1976, visited many sales Built in 1902 at Ipswich, in her working hensive), which is particularly interested purchasing job lots of bric-a-brac; she years she crossed regularly to the in Padstow lifeboat, arranged a spon- also obtained gifts of small antiques continent with cargoes of grain and sored tables contest—the 2x2=4 from her friends. In June she opened a flour. In 1965 she won the Blackwater kind—in aid of the RNLI just before shop in Dolgellau to sell these goods, barge match and, with members of Christmas. Younger children had to and, as a result, was able to hand over a • Canvey Island branch on board, won her learn tables up to 10 x 12 and older net profit of £460 to the guild. class in the barge match at the 1975 children up to 12 x 12, plus the square Port of London Authority Centenary of numbers 13 to 20. Each pupil was Winchester branch has received Clipper Regatta. Between August and sponsored for correct answers up to £37.45 from a former committee mem- October 1976, Mr Groom welcomed 25 questions, selected by the headmaster, ber, Mrs Martineau. It was collected in 3,500 people aboard Marjorie and, A. J. Harbinson. Lifeboat films were a box by her private swimming pool. helped by Bernard Griffith, branch shown and questions about the service honorary secretary, and committee answered by two members of Bodmin At a commemorative dinner and member Sam Jeffries, showed them over and District branch. A splendid, pro- dance which followed the presentation the barge. A voluntary collection raised gressive idea which increased knowledge of the 150th anniversary vellum to £320 for the RNLI. of arithmetic and lifeboats—and RNLI Blyth lifeboat station by P. Denham funds by £75.08. Christie, a member of the Committee With about 60 members, the social of Management, on September 16, club of Lion Packing Works, Woking, Fund-raisers in the Republic of 1976, the dance floor was cleared, a has collected £250 in its RNLI box in Ireland improved their total by 29 per bottle of whisky placed upon it and less than three years. Its 1976 target, cent in 1976. Of Dublin's £24,250 guests invited to slide lOp pieces as £100, was passed in ten months. All (£1,650 more than in 1975), £10,000 close to the bottle as possible from a set halfpenny change at the bar and all resulted from the annual sale of work mark, the nearest being the winner. small change emptied out of pockets at organised by Mrs Montague Kavanagh £15 was raised in ten minutes. the end of the evening are put into the and her helpers together with the achievements of the Lifeboat Shop in Lymington took just one month Baggot Street. The cup for the best to raise £760 to pay for a pair Dublin flag seller was won by Coxswain of propellers for the new Arun G. McLoughlin of Howth. lifeboat being built for Yar- mouth, Isle of Wight. On More than £30,000 has already been December 14, two cheques, each for £380, one from the donated to Yarmouth lifeboat appeal, branch and one from the the money coming from far and near. ladies' guild, were taken to Through the good offices of E. Lennie, Yarmouth in the yacht Anahita landlord of the White Hart Inn, Haven- III, owned by Derek Hobson, street, Isle of Wight, the Rotary Club of chairman of Lymington branch Chateau du Loir, France, has donated (extreme left). With him as his Fr.65; branches in North West Wiltshire crew sailed officers of branch joined together for an Elizabethan Feste and guild (I. to r.) Wing- Commander Alan Roxburgh, and Revels at Lacock Abbey on June 18, Mrs Helen Tew, Bernard raising £700.59; North West Bourne- Foxen, Mrs Joan Fradd, Rex mouth branch's Christmas draw brought Reddrop, Mrs Sheila Veal, in another £159 . . . and so the story Mrs Ann Hornsby and Hugo goes on. ... Walford. 271 (Above) Of the £6,000 raised by Salcombe (Above) Children from Coxheath Infants and Hope branch, no less than £2,066 School raised £200 for Sheerness lifeboat resulted from the efforts of the lifeboat crew station with a sponsored walk around their and their wives. Money was raised by school field. When they visited the station dances and other functions, but a large pro- they brought with them a painting of a portion came from donations placed in a box lifeboat by six-year-old Matthew Wright to outside Edward Hannaford's boatshed in present to Coxswain Charles Bowry. Island Street. Throughout the season, photograph by courtesy of Kent Messenger Edward (centre), who is motor mechanic of Salcombe lifeboat, his wife Sheila, and their (Upper left) Mrs Winifred Waring, honorary colleague, Crew Member Frank Smith (r.) secretary of Castleford ladies' guild and maintain a supply of shells and magazines president of Castleford and Normanton available to passing visitors in return for International Soroptimist Club, together donations. with Miss Betty Moisly, Divisional Union President for Yorkshire Soroptimists, pre- (Right) White Rock Bowls Club raised £45 sents a cheque for £250 to Kenneth Thirlwell, for Hastings lifeboat in a new annual pairs then DOS (North East). The money was competition for the Walden and Weeks cups raised by the Soroptimists for the RNLI by a last autumn. The two cups were presented by number of social occasions in the homes of Coxswain Joe Martin (centre) to Mr Mrs Waring and other members. Compary (I.) and Mr Abbott (r.). The photograph by courtesy of Walden Cup was given by Joyce and Betty The Yorkshire Post Walden in memory of their mother, who was a founder member of Hastings ladies' guild in 1921; Joyce Walden is the present honorary box. Jack Grant, son of a lifeboatman, secretary. photograph by courtesy of heads a small group of enthusiasts Hastings Observer which fines all who are not wearing their club badges lOp. Raffles and sweeps are organised as well as a darts com- petition at lOp a throw.

Before Christmas, in just over a A cheese and wine party month, £71.05 was raised by Winton organised by South London Junior School for lifeboat funds by District Office together with means of a mechanical collecting box, Eltham ladies' guild at the selling souvenirs and the results of 30 Royal Naval College, Green- school projects. wich, last November, made a profit of £905. The photograph The Scout Association of Ireland shows part of the abundant (Cub Scout Section) celebrated its raffle and auction table, in- cluding a framed print of the diamond jubilee by raising £2,000 to Ben Maile lifeboat painting offset the cost of a new ILB. The which raised £125. cheque was presented to Philip Mahony, RNLI assistant national organiser, Ireland, by 10-year-old Hugh Butler at a dinner to mark the culmination of the Cub Scouts' jubilee year on November 27 in Dublin Sport Hotel.

Jim Mead, whose father and grand- father had both served on Appledore Mrs Topsy Levan, honorary branch committee, wanted to carry on secretary of Kew branch, clad the family tradition in his own area of in oilskins and armed with a Molesey. With the help of Mrs Griffiths, loudhailer, collects for the RNLI at the foot of Kew Pier, flag day organiser, and other Molesey where countless holiday makers people a branch was formed and, with disembark after trips up the a wide variety of events and a vigorous Thames. Last summer she Shoreline recruiting campaign, over raised more than £1,000. £1,500 was raised in the first year. 272 Between 1963 and 1975, the late Stars of a 'Going for a Commander J. H. Bowen and his wife Song' evening arranged by raised £3,265.24 for the lifeboat service Ashtead and Leatherhead by collecting coins in the well of branches last November were (I. to r.) Richard 'Fleursec' at Corfe Castle in the Isle of Baker as chairman with Purbeck. Sadly, Cdr Bowen died in contestants Mollie Sugden July 1975, but Mrs Bowen has continued and Bill Pertwee. Two the good work, and in 1976 handed over experts, Brian Clarke and £301.15 to Swanage branch. Alastair Dickenson, helped with true valuations, and an informative, amusing even- Michael Moore and Lawrence Deakin ing resulted in £.500 for the organised a marathon disco which RNLI. lasted 34 hours. The profit, £126.83, Photograph by courtesy of was given to Newhaven lifeboat station. Leatherhead Advertiser

Three 10-year-old class mates of Willows Primary School, Timperley, Christopher Morgan, whose parents are members of the branch committee, Lisa Waterworth and Simon Ennion, raised £2.70 for branch funds carol singing one December evening. Longridge and District branch com- bined fund raising with a much enjoyed evening last autumn when they arranged a dinner, whist and domino drive in the IMSTIT new village hall at Whitechapel. A St Marylebone branch raised S.280 with a most enjoyable 'Any Questions ?' evening at Seymour four-course meal (soup, roast beef, Hall last November. The distinguished panellists were (I. to r.) Raymond Baxter, Mrs Mattie country fresh cream trifles made by the Pritchard, Brian Johnston, Dr Richard Gordon and Ed Stewart. ladies and, of course, Lancashire cheese and biscuits) was served to 130 people, (Left) Four dogs, including the Newfound- who then settled down to play for some land in this photograph, helped Bristol very acceptable prizes. £201 was raised Central branch on their flag day last October. for the RNLI. Between them they collected H20. Birmingham area's contributions to At Reigate, Blackie (below, I.) races after the RNLI increased by £5,813 in 1976. coins thrown in the long bar at The Market Readers of Birmingham Evening Mail, Hotel and takes them to James Ware for the through an appeal by its assistant lifeboat box. Bobbie (r.) delivers papers to handicapped readers and earns Ip per head editor, Clem Lewis, donated £2,091 per day which his owner, Mrs Tribe, collects which will fund a new replacement ILB for Reigate and Redhill branch. Together for Exmouth. their contributions are substantial. Terry Wiffen, one of the City of London's excellent young helpers, has raised £235.36 by selling waste paper. It has meant hours of hard work, picking up bundles all over the City and in his Stafford branch receives welcome own home town of Upminster. help from the local Association of Wrens; as well as making an annual Four fishermen of Tottenham and donation of £25, a good number of the Edmonton, Paul Allsey, Reg Laws and association's members collect regularly Frank and Martin Drury, raised more for the RNLI on flag days. Stafford has than £300 for the Institution with their also raised £30 from unwanted foreign sponsored 'Shark Hunt '76' off Pad- coins collected in banks and travel stow. Among their sponsors were Bing agencies. Mrs E. D. M. Harkness of Coat- Crosby, Bruce Forsyth, Leslie Crowther, bridge has a positive approach to for- Jack Parnell and his band and the Mrs Lucy L. Jack, wife of ex- getfulness. She teaches mathematics and entire cast of ATV's General Hospital. Coxswain James Jack of Anstruther, any child who forgets such essentials as has raised £1,173 by dressing dolls for University of Bristol Rag Committee book, pencil or mathematical instru- presented the RNLI with £490.86 in ments pays Ip fine to borrow from her. raffles; 60 dolls in all, some of them in 1976. full rig as lifeboatmen. When a reasonable amount has been collected, the money is sent to a charity Lochwinnoch ladies' guild held a The 350 boys and girls of Yarner of the children's choice. Mrs Harkness 'Mad Hatter's Hop' last spring at House, Audley Park School, Torquay, was delighted when they decided which Tony Currie of Radio Clyde have adopted Torbay lifeboat. Last recently to send £8 to the RNLI. judged the 'mad' hats. Ten guild mem- term they raised £50, mostly by selling bers had prepared the supper served hot Cornish pasties and soup at lunch After a procession through Cam- during the evening and just over £700 time to other pupils, and they hope to bridge arranged by Oliver Rix Garages was raised for the RNLI. Prior to that do even better in the spring term. The and Cambridge Granta Round Table, 34 guild members, in a 'double your Torquay Hotels Association has pre- Paul Holt, general manager of Oliver money' project, were each given 50p sented this lifeboat with a fire pump Rix Garages donated a cheque for £200 and asked to make as much money as costing £875. to the Round Table lifeboat appeal. possible: the result, a profit of £146.94. 273 International Boat Show Earls Court, London, January 6 to 16 A SHOP WINDOW FOR THE WORK OF THE RNLI by Ray Kipling Deputy Public Relations Officer, RNLI

A YEAR OF NATIONAL CELEBRATION for giant dummy cheque from Susan mingham Evening Mail, received his the 25 years of Her Majesty The Queen's George, the actress, and Sheringham award at a ceremony at the Birmingham reign began for lifeboat supporters in Coxswain Henry 'Joyful' West and Boat Show in February. Lucas Marine January at the 1977 International Boat members of his crew were there to thank presented a beautifully polished search- Show in London. The RNLI's principal the Oddfellows. light to Clare Francis who accepted it exhibit was Margate's new 37' 6" Rother Protection might be needed with all on behalf of the RNLI and the final class lifeboat, RNLB Silver Jubilee (Civil this money around, so members of presentation was from Miss Francis Service No. 38) provided by the Civil 'Dad's Army' cast came along on the herself—over £40 raised by selling Service and Post Office Lifeboat Fund. first Sunday of the show. Arthur Lowe, postcards of her boat Robertson's Golly. The lifeboat filled most of the stand otherwise Captain Mainwaring, had It was a hectic show for the branch leaving two small corners for voluntary brought his trusty sergeant (John Le workers and lifeboat men on duty and workers to sell souvenirs and enrol Mesurier), Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn) financially it was a record year. Over Shoreline members. Two Atlantic 21 and air raid warden Bill Pertwee to £8,000 was taken from souvenir and inshore lifeboats, one on a ramp on the receive a corporate public relations raffle sales helped by the loyal support centre jetty and one in the pool, added award for the outstanding work they of Chelsea Pensioners, Topper and Joe, a lifeboat flavour to the show's main have performed for the Institution. who collected over £600. feature: Brighton Marina. Lady Norton presented the Public Equally important, old friendships The full programme of presentations Relations Awards and the other reci- were renewed and new friends made. and visits began on the opening day pients were Mike McGiffen, news editor The Boat Show provides a collection when Dick Hewitt, editor of Motor Boat of the Northern Echo, and Wallace point to swell the funds of the RNLI and Yachting, presented a cheque for Lister Barber representing the Stockport and a shop window for its work. This £50 to Major-General Ralph Farrant, crew of lifeboat auxiliaries. Clem year both objectives brought record Chairman of the Committee of Manage- Lewis, assistant editor of the Sir- returns—a cause for celebration indeed! ment, who in turn presented Ronny Hargreaves of the Department of Trade One of the first of many with a plaque to thank him for his co- visitors to be shown over operation with the RNLI over the years. Rother class lifeboat Silver Clare Francis, the singlehanded trans- Jubilee (below) was Clare atlantic sailor and a very good friend of Francis (right). On her tour the lifeboat service, opened the show of the show, after perform- and met John Chapman, honorary ing the opening ceremony, secretary of the Civil Service and Post she called at the RNLI stand where Major-General Office Lifeboat Fund, when she visited Farrant introduced her to the RNLI stand. John Chapman. With them The crowds and the money started were Patrick Howarth, pub- pouring in and the flow became a torrent lic relations officer RNLI as branch workers donned lifeboat (I.), and Francis Front (c.), aprons and tee shirts and began selling President, Ship and Boat in earnest. The Shoreline counter was Builders National Federa- busy, too, and enrolled 761 new tion, photographs by members—more than ever before at a courtesy of Peter Hadfield Boat Show. Round Tablers arrived in force to present a giant lifeboat-shaped cheque for £110,000 to Major-General Farrant and Miss Great Britain, Dinah May, was there to add to the gaiety. Accepting the cheque General Farrant announced that the money would be used for Newhaven's new Waveney lifeboat RM1 which will bear the name Louis Marches! of Round Table. Len Patten, who will be coxswain of the new lifeboat, was working on the stand and joined the Round Tablers and Miss Great Britain to try and pay the cheque into the Midland Bank, which kindly entertained the RNLI's guests. The Manchester Unity of Odd- fellows were the next visitors and they bore a cheque for £25,000, collected towards a replacement lifeboat at Sheringham when one is needed. Com- mander Ralph Swann accepted the 274 During the International Boat Show at Earls Court a giant lifeboat- Lady Norton, a member of the Committee of Management, presented shaped cheque for £110,000, towards Newhaven's future Waveney the RNLI 1977 public relations awards on the jetty of the central class lifeboat, was presented to the RNLI by the Round Table. (I. to r.) feature—Brighton Marina—on the first Sunday of the show. One Dinah May, Miss Great Britain, Round Tabler Forbes Simpson, was to members of that staunch band of lifeboat supporters, the cast Major-General Farrant and Len Patten, coxswain!mechanic designate of 'Dad's Army'. (I. to r.) Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring), for the new lifeboat, which will be named Louis Marches! of Round John le Mesurier (Sergeant Wilson), Lady Norton, Clive Dunn Table. (Corporal Jones) and Bill Pertwee (Air Raid Warden Hodges). A giant dummy cheque for £25,000 towards a replacement lifeboat The advent of the Boat Show means eleven happy days of reunions at Sheringham came from the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. Com- with old and introduction to new friends of the lifeboat service who mander Ralph Swann, a member and former Chairman of the Commit- come to the RNLI stand. Cilia Black was one of many welcome tee of Management (/.). accepted the 'cheque'from Susan George. With visitors, and to show her over Silver Jubilee were (I. to r.) Crew them, from Sheringham, were (I. to r.) Crew Member Chris Ayers, Member Colin Sedgewick of Southern!, Coxswain Bruce Brown from Coxswain Henry 'Joyful' West, Bowman Jacko West and Motor Mec- Walmer, Crew Member Pat Kemp of Whitstable and Crew Member hanic Brian Pegg. photograph by courtesy of Eastern Daily Press Roger Triggfrom Soiithwold.

exhibit, their coble. And all this in the Sunday, November 21, for a lifeboat Here and There shadow of Bamburgh Castle, looking service organised by Coleraine branch out over the Fame Islands to the ladies committee. Decorations were BRISTOW HELICOPTERS have given to North Sea, with all its memories of the centred round a replica lifeboat and the Aberdeen's 54' Arun BP Forties an trust created in 1772 on the death of lessons were read by Vice-Admiral Sir AM VHP (air band) Pye Westminster Nathaniel Crewe, Bishop of Durham, Arthur Hezlet, a member of the Com- radio, which allows direct communica- of trustee Dr John Sharp and of mittee of Management, and John Scott tion between lifeboat and aircraft; the Lionel Lukin's coble converted for of Portrush lifeboat crew. cheque for £350 was presented to lifesaving in 1786. * * * Coxswain Albert Bird by John Odlin, The museum is cherished—that is the A new fund-raising branch formed general manager of Bristow Helicopters, only word for it—by Fred Whitton, last November has as its chairman John last December. Bristows have close ties honorary curator, and his helpers, and Lunch, CBE, VRD, the recently retired with the RNLI at Aberdeen, where one some indication of the number of Director General of Port of London or two of their staff are active branch people who come to see it each year is Authority; known as Manhood branch, members. given by the fact that in 1976 it raised it covers the area bounded by the * * * more than £4,000 for the RNLI. villages of Itchenor, Birdham, East and A visit to the Grace Darling Museum * * * West Wittering and Bracklesham, while at Bamburgh—indeed to Bamburgh The Scottish Fisheries Museum at Selscy and Siddlesham continue to be itself—must surely be in the nature of a Anstruther has equipped its tea-room covered by Selsey station branch under pilgrimage for all those interested in staff with RNLI pvc aprons; the the chairmanship of Mrs Graham lifeboat history. The museum, funded design is appropriate and also forms Doggart. by public subscription, was built in an advertisement for the RNLI and for Anyone in the area of these five 1938 on land provided by Lord Arm- the souvenirs on sale at Anstruther villages who would like to help will be strong. In it is preserved a remarkable lifeboat station, directly opposite. welcome; the honorary secretary is collection of paintings, portraits, books, * * * Macleod Wallace, Brevis, Roman Land- letters and all kinds of relics of the Drumreagh Presbyterian Church was ing, West Wittering, Chichester, Sussex Darling family, with, as a central packed to capacity on the evening of (telephone, West Wittering 2173). 275 membership under the RNLI Shoreline mine host of the Kings Head Inn, group scheme: she raised £90 through Orford; in the gentlemen's 'loo' the efforts of CK Frankie Vaughn, is an RNLI collecting box with a ditty, ROI Robbie Robinson and LWTR Fred 'Spend a penny, then relax—forget Milne who together completed a about the income tax. But spend a sponsored marathon run from Bognor thought—and pennies please—for those Regis to Portsmouth. in peril on the seas!' To date this has Many other clubs have asked about swelled our funds by well over £300. group membership and I am pleased to Again, well done, gentlemen! Now I Shoreline announce that we propose to bring in a suggest, what about the ladies! scheme to cover firms and clubs. However, enough frivolity and to the Individual support for the future serious things in hand. To encourage RNLB Shoreline is so lively it would more people to join Shoreline, Alexan- Section need a whole journal to mention der Duckhams have offered to supply everyone who is helping by name. If I our members with such items as ONCE AGAIN the Earls Court Boat Show can only pick out one or two, in so anoraks, gloves and sports bags from has come and gone and what a success doing let me say here and now that any their motor shop in West Wickham at story we can relate! We signed on 761 event that our members run to swell our roughly 20 per cent below list price. All new members: an all-time record. This funds is greatly appreciated by us all. orders would be dealt with direct by is a fantastic achievement and I should The other day we received a cheque for Duckhams, and we hope to be able to like to thank the following people for £128 from S. Toyer of Torbay, who ran send you full details soon. all their hard work and support through- a coffee evening and buffet dance at We have started the year off with a out the Boat Show: Jim Mead, honorary which the centrepiece was a beautiful bang, so let us try to keep up the secretary of Molesey branch; David Par- Shoreline cake measuring 26" x 18"x3" momentum by encouraging our friends ker; Ewart Myer; Richard Wilson and decorated in blue icing and inscribed and workmates to join. Ian Taylor, both of Twickenham branch; RNLB Shoreline. Following the success of To all our members everywhere— Jeff Needham, honorary secretary of this event it is proposed to hold another thank you for your support.—PETER Upper Thames branch; and Mrs Caller. dance at Easter. Well done, all con- HOLNESS, membership secretary, RNLI, The money from these new members, cerned! From another part of the West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 who have boosted our membership to country we hear from Ewan S. Shaw, 1HZ (Tel. Poole 71133). over 37,000, will be put towards our new Shoreline lifeboat, and I am pleased to say that the figure reached is now £40,000, so we are well on target. Building is progressing satisfactorily, too, as you can see opposite. One of the great pleasures of being on the RNLI stand at a place like Earls Court is meeting Shoreline members; it is really brought home to you in just how high regard people, young and old, hold the lifeboat service. We have also had support from the A governor of the Institution, 15- Royal Navy. HMS Rothesay became a year-old Nigel Rankin, on board life member and governor of the Whitby lifeboat. Nigel came to the Institution with the formal presentation RNLI stand at the Boat Show with to the commanding officer, Commander over £10 he had saved from his pocket money to join Shoreline. HMS Rothesay, first group life governor of the Institution. Noel James, of the ship's hard-earned Gifford Rosling, ADOS (Southern),presents membership membership card. The frigate is the card and Shoreline flag to Commander Noel James, her first naval ship to be granted such commanding officer.

To: SHORELINE, RNLI, WEST QUAY ROAD, POOLE, DORSET, BH15 1HZ. I should like to be a part of such a worthwhile voluntary cause by becoming a SHORELINE member of the lifeboat service and joining the Institution as: A Life Member and Life Governor: minimum donation £60, Below are the various including journal items you are entitled to A Member and Governor: minimum annual subscription £10, wear or fly as a member including journal of SHORELINE: An Offshore Member: minimum annual subscription £3, Members' tie (Terylene) £1.50 including journal Lady's brooch £0.50 Metal car badge £1.55 Pair of cuff-links £ 1.75 8 "hoist flag £1.25 SHORELINE LIFEBOAT 12" hoist flag £2.00 Dinghy burgee £1.25

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Shoreline Giro number is 294 7056 NAME / enclose P.OI cheque I cash for £..... ADDRESS Date Signature

276 Bob Silverson (r.), senior boatbuilder, shows Rother building at William Osbornes, Little- hampton, to Richard Belchamber, district surveyor of lifeboats (South East). Note slender building batten (arrowed) running the length of the boat between upper diagonal struts: on it are marked all fare and aft measurements needed in the building of the hull. IMS

Building a Rother Class Lifeboat PART III: IN FRAME so, THE KEEL is LAID. A baulk of teak, There is a mould at each of the ten shaped to match templates taken off the stations equidistant along the length of Measurements giving the fore and ajt positions of all transverse members—moulds, full size lines plans drawn out on the loft the boat. The first to be fitted into place bulkheads and timbers—are brought down floor. It rests on blocks so set that they is station 5, halfway down the boat; from building batten to hog by plumb line. will bring the boat up to a convenient square to centreline and datum water- height for building. The keel slopes line, plumb upright and foursquare. gently from aft forward at the designed Then the remaining moulds are set up; depths measured down from the hori- for those forward of station 5, the zontal datum waterline, the line at which station position, established by plumb the boat is designed to float. line from the building batten, is at the Now the rest of the boat's centreline forward side of the mould; for those structure can be assembled from the aft of station 5 the station point is at baulks and laminates, shaped and wait- the aft side of the mould. Thus placed ing. But first, a building batten is fixed their square edges will not impede the in place in the rafters high above the curve of the hull. boat. This is a batten running along the This is another crucial stage of build- centreline, above the keel, the full length ing, and measurements will be checked of the boat, on which is marked the and counterchecked to make sure that exact position of stem and stern, each each mould is accurately placed and station, each bulkhead, each timber; in square in both planes. On them depends fact it carries every fore and aft measure- the fair curve of the hull. Once in place ment which will be needed in building. they are braced with diagonal timbers to From it the boatbuilders, using a plumb a beam in the roof of the building shed. line, will be able to determine the position When building a lifeboat hull, rather of every transverse member as construc- than that of an ordinary motor vessel, tion progresses. there are the extra complications result- Stemhead, stempost, stem apron, fore ing from the propeller tunnels; towards deadwood, keel (with the hog above it), the stern the planking is not continuous after deadwood, stern knee and stern- but is landed on the tunnel cant which post—all are bolted together, bedded forms the outboard edge of the tunnel. down, to build up the backbone The forward part of the cant, a straight The curved after end of the tunnel cant is built up, in position, of agba laminates scarphed structure. Great strain will be placed on run, is made of solid mahogany, but at on to solid mahogany for the straight run keel and hog during building, so they the after end it has to curve up and in- forward. The building batten can once again are held down from above by three board to the stern; that part is built up be seen at the top of the picture. vertical shores and from below by of laminates glued and clamped together strainers bolted to the floor. in position on the underside of the ribs—once again steamed to take up the Next come the moulds round which frames. transverse curve from hog to stringers, the longitudinal members—stringers, Notches are now cut out of the moulds deck shelf and gunwale. deck shelf and gunwale—will be shaped. to take the oak longitudinals, which The skeleton of the hull is now ready The moulds are temporary; after the will be steamed and bent round them to to take the skin—the planking. hull is planked and they have done their take up the fore and aft curve of the hull. work, they will be taken out. Then come the oak timbers—the boat's (To be continued) 277 Fitting out of the Institution's second mobile training unit caravan Brixham Secondary School fifth formers (I. to r.) Jimmy Moore, was undertaken by Peter Fulton (centre), honorary training consultant Simon Foot and Steve Edwards, seen with Motor Mechanic Steve to the RNLI; while work progressed, the caravan was parked outside Bower, last term volunteered, as community work, to help clean his home. Helping with the electrical!electronics installation are his Torbay lifeboat and boathouse every Friday afternoon: now others 13-year-old son, Anthony (/.), and fellow radio enthusiast Ron queue to help . . . School groups are encouraged to visit the station Meredith (r.). and its 54' Arun lifeboat Edward Bridges. photograph by courtesy of South Wales Echo photograph by courtesy of Herald Express, Torquay School project 1976

OUT OF THE MANY ENTRIES W6 have received the following school projects from 9 to 13 years old were judged the best: First prize: A trip on one of Her Majesty's warships: Richard Evans Clevedon Comprehen- sive School, Avon Laura Brown Stokesley Comprehen- sive School, North Yorkshire Runners Up: Silver propelling pencil: Nathalie Ruta Abbeys Middle School, Milton Keynes Gary Mold Abbeys Middle School, Milton Keynes Jason Tomes Swanage Primary School John Walters Bournemouth The first D class JLB to be funded from the stamp appeal organised by Barrie Smale, 17 Station Lydnsey Brelsford Bournemouth Road, Okehampton, Devon, is stationed at Holyhead. She is seen here with crew members and Caroline Bamber Macclesfield County shore helpers on the day a commemorative plaque was placed on the boathouse wall by Dr High School E. T. Lloyd (r.), branch chairman, and Tudor Roberts (secondfrom r.), honorary secretary. Jayne Fountain Macclesfield County High School Foreign coins for the funds of the lifeboat service. The Julie Ventris Macclesfield High main difficulty has been to handle and School rr is ESTIMATED that there are some sort foreign coin, owing to its bulk and Andrew Bainbridge Kirby and Great £20—£30 millions worth of foreign weight. However, we have now found Broughton CE School, Cleveland coins lying around this country. The an outlet which will give us a fair rate Deborah Webb St Uny CE Primary banks are not interested, neither are of exchange provided the coins are all School, St Ives, the foreign exchange bureaux, in any- sorted into their countries of origin. Cornwall thing other than notes. We are preparing packs of blank Two entries from pupils below this In 1977 it is proposed to convert as money envelopes, together with blocks age group were so good that we have many of these foreign coins as possible of labels, each one marking a major acknowledged these by the presentation foreign currency. These will be available of two anorak badges: through our district offices and if our Laurence M. Moses Walhampton School, supporters will label their foreign change Lymington, Hamp- OlUIBITHslE A H 0 R S appropriately and give it to their local shire t~n1fff-*~Wf~c~\ RNLI branch, guild or organising Ian Hiscock Broadstone, Dorset A S|C|Rjl[B|EaT^U|N|D|E|R secretary as and when a convenient • • Ml JjlBlBI opportunity occurs it is hoped that Crossword competition [C|K|E|T|E|R|SBO|G| P|U these coins will eventually end up at Poole, ready for encashment. It may • !• •!1 • • WINNER OF THE WINTER journal cross- i 11 I njB MM ii I Ml ln| ii I ii lii take some time to fill up this pipeline word competition, compiled by Cox- PPPFP initially but we believe that the results swain Arthur Liddon of Dover, is S. N. F| i |R|E|A[R will be well worthwhile. Perkins of Kingston-on-Thames; his •tool One of these labels will be marked was the first correct solution (shown on |N|C| i |D|E|N|C|EHT|R| 'miscellaneous' for those unidentifiable the right) to be drawn after the closing Ml odd coins, and who knows what treasure date, February 28. S|S|O|R|S may be discovered! 278 have been improved since the floods of 1953, but there is no guarantee that there will be no repetition; weather conditions in 1953 were actually not as bad as they might have been, and it is a disconcerting thought that the south east of England is sinking at about one foot per century. Ingrid Holford has many words of sympathy for the forecasters of the Meteorological Office, who have often been blamed for not giving sufficient REVIEWS warning of trouble. There is a very thin dividing line between weather that is bad, and weather that is positively • The first edition of The Small-Boat navigational notes and tidal data on its dangerous. The worst effects of a storm Skipper's Safety Book by Denny reverse. Well printed in two colours on may be caused by tornadoes, which are Desoutter (Hollis and Carter, £1.95) thick paper, it is clear and easy to read, quite unpredictable and highly localised. was published in 1972. The revised with plenty of room for personal notes. Flood water may pour off high ground, second edition published this year is in Many of the charts included are not but damage will only result if rivers and the light, no doubt, of after thoughts; readily available elsewhere, some being drains become blocked by debris, thus but it also takes account of statistics of based on large scale Admiralty charts building up a battering ram of thousands incidents involving pleasure craft made no longer in print and some on French of tons of water, which is what hap- available from the RNLI computerised charts not normally found in this pened at Lynmouth in 1952. records. Generous tribute is made to the country, and the publishers will main- The book is well illustrated with RNLI in this respect; and my only, and tain a simple correction service so that photographs and weather maps, and the minor, criticism is that, when so doing, the book need never go out of date; explanations of how the weather works Denny does not say that but for each year stockists will offer a package to produce such unfortunate results are Professor W. W. Flexner of the USA containing a list of corrections in the positively dramatic.—A.H.G. the RNLI would not have a com- form of a page of the book, or new puterised record. editions of charts, should that be • Why do they do it? What is it that The coverage is comprehensive both necessary. calls people from the land and sends as to types of craft and of types of This first volume, which will surely them off, alone, on long ocean voyages hazard for which to be on the alert, step straight into the category of basic under sail? There are, of course, as before, during, and even after a trip. navigational reference books, is avail- many answers to that question as there Explained in particular is the need not able from marine booksellers, price are ocean voyagers; that is part of the to relax concentration and care when £12, or direct from the publishers (75p fascination of the stories they have to closing the land where shallows, bars extra for postage), Bowker and Bertram tell. In Adventure in Depth (Nautical and tide rips may make for more Ltd, Whitewalls, Harbour Way, Old Publishing Co., £4.65), a book difficult turbulent conditions than those pre- Bosham, West Sussex. —J.D. to put down, Bill King tells of his single- vailing whence one has come. With handed circumnavigation in Calway respect to Monsarrat, the reviewer has % For naval historians, Patrick Blazer II. Rounding all five capes— never found it sensible to consider the Stephens have recently published a Good Hope of South Africa, Leeuwin the sea as either 'cruel' or enemy. Even useful book of reference, British Vessels of Western Australia, South Cape of so, it is a fact that conditions in the Lost at Sea 1939-45 (£3.95). Originally Tasmania, South-East of Stewart Island approaches to a haven lie in wait for published by HMSO on behalf of the off New Zealand, and the Horn—he the unwary; vide the concentration of Admiralty in 1947 as two books, these allowed 'the absolute freedom, the RNLI services to pleasure craft in such have now been combined into one violent beauty of battling above, not places. volume. Valuable data and statistics under the waves' to release springs 'Safety Book' is not a title such as to are given in concise tabular form, well- wound tight by submarine warfare and make the average reader reach for it if indexed.—J.D. still not really loosened after 23 years in search of interest and excitement. of peace.—J.D. But the average reader would be mis- 0 Although we are apt to describe taken; both are there; and the book is the British climate as comparatively 0 In the introduction to Famous Rescues excellently written, and with a kindly equable, it takes no feat of memory to at Sea (Arthur Barker, £3.95) the author, humour when pointing out the egregious recall that during recent years the Richard Garrett, speaks of his 'amaze- lack of forethought that can lead to weather has on occasions caused much ment that human beings could endure so discomfort or worse.—P.C.C. hardship, destruction and even death. much and still live; awe that the combined Such dramatic events are the subject of forces of wind and sea can create such • Yachtsmen who have seen, but have British Weather Disasters, by Ingrid excesses of violence.'' not been able to obtain, one of the rare Holford (David and Charles, £4.95). His selection includes the stories, copies of 'The English Channel Hand- The book deals with every type of among others, of Grace Darling and book' published in 1943 by the Hydro- extreme weather conditions: storms over Forfarshire, of Captain Carlsen of the graphic Department of the Admiralty, land and sea, floods, snow and ice, Flying Enterprise and the recovery of an will welcome a new publication being tidal surges, fog and even drought. The US Air Force H-bomb lost in the prepared by R. M. Bowker, The Channel examples are mainly twentieth century Mediterranean. The final chapter is a Handbook. The first volume in the series, ones, which are well documented, but tribute to old lifeboats, giving the early Central Section, has recently been pub- some earlier disasters are examined, history of lifesaving round our coasts. lished. It is a loose-leaf book made up such as the Fire of London in 1666, and One chapter records the first occasion of 66 large scale charts showing about the Royal Charter storm of 1859. on which a vessel in distress sought help 100 anchorages within the areas It seems that some weather disasters with the aid of Marconi's discovery, Chichester to Portland, the Channel are bound to visit us in the future. For wireless—in 1899. And there is a Islands and the French Coast from St example, much of eastern England is reminder, early in the book, that the Malo to Barfleur. There is a chart on below sea level, and under constant first official weather forecasts were not the front of each detachable sheet, with threat from the North Sea. Defences produced until 1861.—J.D. 279 Revision of the International Regulations (g) A power-driven boat of less than 7 metres in length (continued from page 264) and with a maximum speed of less than 7 knots may use an all-round white light instead of separate mast- Part B (Rules 4-19 — the Steering and Sailing Rules) replaces head and stern lights but she should still show side the present Rules 16-26 and the Annex. It will be seen that the lights unless it is impracticable to do so (Rule 23(c)). importance of keeping a lookout is emphasized by being given (h) All shapes are to be black (Rule 20 and Annex I). a Rule (Rule 5) to itself, it being required that a proper Part D (Sound and Light Signalling—Rules 32-37) replaces lookout be kept by all appropriate means at all times. Rule 6 Rules 15 and 28. In Rule 33, which specifies equipment for — Safe speed — incorporates the principles in the old Moderate sound signals, the fog horn is no longer included. Rule 34 Speed Rule and the old Radar Annex; it spells out in more expands the signals for the use of vessels in sight of one detail factors to be taken into account which were previously another by including signals for vessels overtaking or being implied "by the ordinary practice of seamen" in old Rules overtaken in a narrow channel. Flashing light signals to 27 and 29. The two main changes are: augment the whistle signal are described in sub-paragraphs (i) that it applies at all times, ie it is not confined to (b) and (d) of this Rule; these remain optional, but it is no restricted visibility, and longer required that they only be used simultaneously with (ii) with a large number of variables to be taken into account the whistle, ie these light signals may be repeated whilst the it follows that a safe speed will vary as conditions change, manoeuvre is being carried out. Rule 35 lays down the signals viz, any change of any of the factors will require a fresh to be used in restricted visibility; there are no fundamental assessment. changes from the present Rule 15 (except that vessels under Another new Rule (Rule 10) regulates the behaviour of vessels sail are to make the same signal as vessels not under command using traffic separation schemes. or otherwise hampered) but some periods are altered. In Rule 17 (Action by stand-on vessels — replacing Rule 21) Part E (Exemption) consists of one Rule (Rule 38) which an important point is laid down, that the stand-on vessel may lays down conditions under which existing ships may be "take action to avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone as exempted from compliance with certain of the detailed pro- soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to visions of the new rules. keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in com- Annexes. The Rules are followed by four Annexes. Annex 1 pliance with these Rules". In taking such action she should gives positioning and technical details of lights and shapes. not, if possible, alter course to port for a vessel on her own The requirements are much more comprehensive than those port side. This permissive rule has been introduced to resolve in the present Regulations. They include a formula from which difficulties which have been caused by the more restrictive the luminous intensity of lights needed to give the required present rule. (This does not preclude the prior use of at least ranges may be derived, specification for the colour of lights 5 short and rapid blasts permitted by Rule 34(d).) However it and details as to the sectors of lights. The relative position of was felt necessary to include a more definite clause to cater the two masthead lights and the side lights are laid down in for cases where such early action is not taken and so the greater detail than before and there is a requirement that in all requirement in the present rule that if the stand-on vessel normal conditions of trim the main mast light will be seen "finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the over the foremast light at a distance of 1000 metres from the action of the give-way vessel alone, she (also) shall take such vessel's stern when viewed from sea level. action as will best aid to avoid collision", is still incorporated Annex 2 contains optional additional signals for vessels in the new rule as a further sub-paragraph. fishing in company. Other important points in the Steering and Sailing Rules Annex 3 gives technical details of frequency, intensity and include more detailed requirements on fairway navigation directional properties of sound signals. (Rule 9) and elucidation of responsibilities between different Annex 4 lists the distress signals (thus replacing Rule 31) types of vessels (Rule 18). One point covered in Rule 18 is the and also contains a reference to MERSAR. position of a vessel constrained by her draught; such a vessel is given a degree of privilege provided she shows the proper It is stressed that these notes do no more than draw attention signals laid down later in the Rules (Rule 28). to some points of comparison between the existing Regulations Part C (Lights and Shapes — Rules 20-31) replaces Rules and those which will supersede them. It is emphasized that 2-12 and 14 of the present Rules, except that details of the full significance of the new Rules can only be obtained by positioning of the lights have been placed in an Annex. By studying their content and these notes are not intended to and large lights are required to be rather more powerful — provide a substitute for such study; nor are they in any way eg the masthead light for a large or moderate sized ship must an interpretation of the Rules. now show for at least 6 miles; and an additional colour, yellow, has been introduced and is used for the flashing light for air cushioned vessels operating in the non-displacement The Coastguard Association mode (Rule 23) and for the new light to be shown above the stern light by vessels towing (Rule 24). Other changes include: A VOLUNTARY national organisation to look after the interests (a) Two red lights or black balls and two green lights or of Coastguards is now in process of formation. Entitled 'The black diamonds one above the other in each case to Coastguard Association', it will be open to all serving and indicate dangerous and safe sides respectively of a retired regular and auxiliary Coastguards and to all 'who have vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations the interest of Coastguards at heart'. Its objects will be to (Rule 27(d)). promote, foster and retain the comradeship which exists (b) Three red lights in a vertical line or a cylinder to among Coastguards, and to provide material assistance for indicate a vessel constrained by her draught (Rule 28). any member suffering from haidship. Social events will be (c) A sailing vessel of less than 12 metres in length may organised to keep in touch with retired Coastguards. show her side lights and stern light in one combined The first local branch of the Coastguard Association was lantern at the masthead (Rule 25(6)). formed in the Isle of Man in 1972 and other branches have (d) Minesweepers now show three black balls or green been formed at Rhyl, Fleetwood, Spurn Point, Gorleston, lights in a triangle indicating general warning (Rule Walton and Clacton, Formby and Bridlington. Others are being formed and it is hoped that more will follow in other (e) A vessel towing if so encumbered that she cannot parts of the country. deviate from her course shows the signals for a ham- A national organisation with an executive committee has pered vessel as well as her towing signals (Rule 27(c)). been elected to co-ordinate the activities of local branches on a (/) If it is not possible to light a tow with side lights and national scale. The first national chairman is John Douglas, stern light all possible measures must be taken to light Chief Inspector, HM Coastguard, and the honorary secretary it or at least indicate its presence (Rule 24(^)). is Alan Scoltock, District Officer, Formby. 280 the boat. And we won first prize: £5! What should we do with it? It would only be a drop in the ocean of RNLI funds. Someone suggested starting a bank account and forming a fund- raising group. That was over a year ago. Letters... There are 18 of us, all crew wives, girl friends or committee wives and, with the blessing of the RNLI, we are having Re-count. . . New anchor for old the time of our lives. We have called The letter from the honorary secretary Please find enclosed a cheque for ourselves (he Selsey Lifeboat Crew of Bodmin and District branch, pub- lifeboat funds to the value of £5—and Association and although we work hard, lished in the autumn 1976 issue of THE you may be interested to hear how it was we are now feeling we belong! LIFEBOAT, amused us all here in Trow- raised. Our first deposit of £5 grew over the bridge because the report closely Nurse Lee of Dreadnought Seamen's first year to nearly £400. We have had followed our own flag day when our Hospital, Greenwich, is also a yacht laughs, and nearly tears sometimes, organising secretary, Mrs Sheena owner. Early in 1976, when on passage, raising the money. Hidden talents have Burnan, raised £6.46J in box no. 10 in she was forced by deteriorating weather come to light and we discover we have the town centre streets during the to anchor off Dymchurch. While at members who can make beautiful morning. In the afternoon her husband, anchor, despite efforts to warn an models in wood, professional-looking Commander Gerald C. Burnan, also approaching fishing vessel of her posi- toys and delectable things to eat. We collected from the very same streets. tion by handlamp, she was struck. In organise dances, pottery parties, spon- Yes, you've guessed it—his box con- the turmoil that followed, her anchor sored slims, pantomime parties for tained £6.46|, no more, no less: three and warp became entangled with th; lifeboat children—you name it, we do it. re-counts! fishing boat, her warp being cut, and the Our most spectacular successes have So we believe it here right enough— fishing boat sailing on leaving Nurse been to raise £100 on our 'home-made' without a doubt.—JOHN HORNBY, chair- Lee in her yacht, adrift. stall on carnival day and nearly £100 on man, Trowbridge Branch, Ashbrook, 17 Upon reaching a safe berth, Nurse birdman rally day, selling teas from the Blind Lane, Southwick, Trowbridge, Wilt- Lee wrote to the port master, Folke- inshore lifeboathouse. shire. stone, Reg Wood, asking if he could get So it really is all worth while. Apart her anchor returned by the boat. This from feeling we are aiding our menfolk, Scrapbook he tried to do but without success. and they really do encourage us, the I am compiling a scrapbook entitled Now Reg Wood is a personal friend station is better off by having flood- 'Lifeboats of Britain' in which 1 collect of Captain Stratford, master, and lighting along the slipway and a new photographs of lifeboats taken under myself, chief engineer officer, of the block and winch rope for the ILB. any circumstances. I have lent the book Sealink vessel Horsa, and, in conversa: Branch funds are nearly £200 better off to various fund-raising schemes for the tion, he told us of the incident. Captain so far, and we have made many friends. Institution. Stratford had undergone major eye —JEAN BRYANT, honorary secretary It is my ambition to have a photo- surgery at Dreadnought, and he Selsey Lifeboat Crew Association, 118 graph of every lifeboat stationed around suggested we present Nurse Lee with a Kingsway, Selsey, Sussex. the British coast. May I, therefore, replacement anchor. Frank Marklew, appeal to readers of THE LIFEBOAT, berthing master at Folkestone, was also should they have photographs of their consulted as he, too, had been at Clyde CC Sailing Directions local lifeboats which I could add to my Dreadnought. Thank you once again for giving space collection, to forward them to me at the By chance, I had a CQR anchor of the to review our Sailing Directions. Large address given below? I can assure them right size I did not need, so I 'sold' it to scale Admiralty charts usually give that they will be put to good use.— Captain Stratford, Reg Wood and linear scales of both sea miles (and D. EVANS, 1A Maes Brith, Dolgellau, Frank Marklew, giving the money I cables) and metres—and feet meanwhile. Gwynedd. received, £5, to the RNLI. I am a As there is not room for both scales on Shoreline member. our small plans I felt the use of either First lifejacket? Nurse Lee visited Folkestone, was was permissible—that is cables or metres We came across the following quota- shown round the harbour and MV Horsa, —one must be familiar with both. tion from a book on the life of Leonardo and given her anchor. It was, she said, Your reviewer is, however, incorrect da Vinci: it would appear probably 'just right'.—p. D. PHILPOTT, 9 Castle in his definitions. Firstly the UK nautical to be the first description of a lifejacket: Avenue, Dover, Kent. mile was abandoned in 1970 in favour '/( Way of Saving Oneself in a Tempest or of the International nautical mile of Shipwreck at Sea Lifeboat wives 'It is necessary to have a coat made of 1852m. Secondly the cable is defined as leather with a double hem over the breast Two women sat on the sea wall in the one tenth of a sea mile which is the of the width of a finger, and double also heat of the afternoon sun, watching length of one minute of arc measured from the girdle to the knee, and let the lifeboat and ILB, and deploring the along the meridian in the latitude of the leather of which it is made to be air- fact that the men had all the excitement position and its length of course varies tight. And when you are obliged to jump while all the wives could do was sit at with the latitude due to the shape of the into the sea, blow out the lappets of the home and wait. But we could have a bit earth. Anyway anyone who can judge coat through the hems of the breast, and of fun . . . how about a group of lifeboat distance from the deck of a small boat then jump into the sea. And let yourself wives entering a float in the local car- within 10 per cent is a genius! be carried by the waves, if there is no nival? That was the forerunner of our shore near at hand and you do not know GODFREY VINYCOMB, Church Field, Colin- the sea. And always keep in your mouth fund-raising group. traive, Argyll. the end of the tube through which the air The lifeboat wives were enthusiastic passes into the garment; and if once or and, with only two weeks before the twice it should become necessary for carnival, we really had to throw our- When you have finished with you to take a breath when the foam selves into the swing of it. We took as prevents you, draw it through the mouth our theme the name of each lifeboat your copy of THE LIFEBOAT of the tube from the air within the coat.' that had been stationed in Selsey over PLEASE PASS IT ON... A. R. 'BOB' DICKINSON, Rose Cottage, the past 100 years, and dressed a wife or 33 Sion Hill, Bath, Avon. child to suit the name and the year ol to a friend, library, club . . .

281 J. P. McDonough Crew Member 20 years. N. Pendlebury Crew Member 10 years. Awards Galway Bay C. Hernon Coxswain 15 years Second Coxswain 9 years to Coxswains, Crews Bowman 1 year Bronze Medal 1962. and Shore Helpers Great Yarmouth and Gorleston J. Bryan Coxswain/Mechanic 9 years The following coxswains, members of lifeboat crews and Motor Mechanic 6 years shore helpers were awarded certificates of service on their Reserve Mechanic 4i years retirement and, in addition, those entitled to them by the Bronze Medal 1970 Institution's regulations, were awarded an annuity, Bar to Bronze Medal 1974. gratuity or pension. Howth F. Hendy Motor Mechanic 12| years Anstruther Crew Member 14 years. A. B. Hughes Tractor Driver 9 years Tractor Driver Helper 21 years. E. McLoughlin Bowman 16J years Crew Member 18 years. Ballycotton W. Sliney Motor Mechanic 27 years Islay Assistant Mechanic 134 years W. McEachern Motor Mechanic 251 years Crew Member 5 years Crew Member 15 years. Bronze Medal 1936 Bar to Bronze Medal 1943. Lizard-Cadgwith M. C. Legg Coxswain 9 years Beaumaris Second Coxswain 6 years J. Williams Head Launcher 2 years Second Coxswain (The Lizard) 9 years Shore Helper 8 years Crew Member (The Lizard) 19 years. Crew Member 1 year. Penlee Bembridge E. F. Wallis Second Coxswain 6 years S. Gould Second Coxswain 19|- years Crew Member 20 years. Bowman li years Crew Member 10 years. Peterhead J. Buyers Second Coxswain 2J years Berwick upon Tweed Crew Member 10 years. H. Crombie Coxswain 8 years Second Coxswain 10 years Port Erin Bowman 7 years J. Crebbin Crew Member 13 years Crew Member 5 years. Head Launcher 8 years A. Ferguson Second Coxswain 3^ years Shore Helper 30 years. Crew Member 12 years. Coxswain 4 months Porthdinllaen S. Thompson Winchman 15 years. Crew Member 12 years. D. Williams J. Patterson Second Coxswain 4 months Ramsgate Crew Member 30 years. R. N. Cannon Motor Mechanic 17i years R. J. Bell Crew Member 20 years. Assistant Motor Mechanic 5 years G. Wood Shore Helper 13 years Crew Member 3 years. Winchman 30 years. H. W. Goldfinch Coxswain li years Second Coxswain 7J years Clacton on Sea Crew Member 18 years. C. Marshall Motor Mechanic 10i years T. A. Pettit Assistant Motor Mechanic 17i years Assistant Mechanic 12j years Crew Member 13 years. Crew Member 10 years. Runswick Cromer 1. Clark Winchman 34 years H. T. Davies Coxswain 29 years Shore Helper 5 years Bowman 3 years Crew Member 20 years. Crew Member 13 years Bronze Medal 1941. St Ives Donaghadee M. Peters Second Coxswain 8J years J. S. Armstrong Motor Mechanic 241 years. Motor Mechanic 5 years Tractor Driver 3i years Douglas Crew Member 4 years J. E. Griffiths Coxswain 2 years Silver Medal 1958. Second Coxswain 2:j years J. D. Hosking Motor Mechanic 15 years. Crew Member 24 years. St Peter Port W. P. Stowell Crew Member 27 years. W. J. Savident Second Coxswain 27 J years Crew Member 2 years. Exmouth W. Ogier Crew Member 19 years. D. C. Were Assistant Mechanic 4 years Crew Member 11 years. Sea ham Fleetwood A. Farrington Coxswain 7 years R. S. Mitchinson Coxswain 6| years Second Coxswain 4 years Assistant Mechanic If years Assistant Mechanic 7 years Crew Member 1 year. Crew Member 2 years R. N. Bird Second Coxswain 10 years Bronze Medal 1973. Bowman 3 years Crew Member 7 years. (Continued on next page) 282 Shoreham Harbour Torbay J. A. Fox Coxswain 7J years K. E. Gibbs Coxswain and Coxswain/Mechanic 4 years (Posthumous) Second Coxswain 4i years Second Coxswain 2 years Crew Member 17 years Crew Member 9 years Bronze Medal 1971 Bronze Medal 1973. Bar to Bronze Medal 1973. A. Sharman Crew Member 17 years Tynemouth Winchman 13 years R. Brunton Coxswain 14 years Shore Helper 9 years. Second Coxswain 10 years Crew Member 5 years. Skegness J. Brunton Winchman 22 years F. Miller Shore Helper 25 years. Shore Helper 4 years.

Southend-on-Sea Walton and Frinton P. G. Gilson Coxswain 20 years B. Ward Motor Mechanic 1J years Second Coxswain 1 year Crew Member 8 years. Bowman 2 years Crew Member 7 years. Wick T. G. Thornton Second Coxswain 8| years A. Murray Motor Mechanic 16 years. Crew Member 30 years. A. F. Martin Bowman 21 i years. Wicklow C. Byrne Coxswain 8 years Thurso Second Coxswain 15 years S. S. Sinclair Second Coxswain 9 years Assistant Mechanic 3 years Crew Member 22 years. Crew Member 21 years.

donations to the RNLI. Over £100 was Lifeboat people received. Horace James Lawrence, a member Dewi Rowlands, a launcher at St of Selsey lifeboat crew from 1928 to David's from 1942 and head launcher 1966. He was bowman from 1952 to since 1963, is the third generation of his 1960 and second coxswain from 1961 family to serve this lifeboat station. to 1966. When he retired in January, they had, between them, spanned the 97 years since 1880. His great uncle, Henry Rowland, and father, Francis Rowland, were both crew members, and both were in the pulling lifeboat Gem when, in 1910, she was wrecked on service. Francis survived but Henry was one of the three crew members lost; three To mark the retirement of Willie McEachern, seamen were rescued from the Democrat. motor mechanic at Islay for 25 years and a lifeboatman of 40 years service, he and his It is with deep regret that we announce wife were guests of honour at a carnival the following deaths: dance in December—a gathering of friends When Isabel Morison, north region co- and colleagues. During the interval, Branch January 1977 ordinator, retired last December she was Chairman A. C. Macrae (I.) presented Mr Mrs Dorris Hall, hard-working and presented with a Coalport plate by Clifford McEachern with a pair of binoculars. efficient honorary secretary of Street M. Kershaw (I.) chairman of Bradford photograph by courtesy of Fraser McArthur branch. It was typical that mourners branch on behalf of lifeboat people of were asked, instead of flowers, to send Bradford. Councillor Tom Hall, president of the branch and a former Lord Mayor, was (Below) To celebrate his 65th birthday and with them. Miss Morison had served with the 50 years of lifeboat service, a special cake RNLI for 26 years. and presentations for Alfred Payne, Weston- photograph by courtesy of super-Mare's coxswain from 1948 to 1970. Bradford Telegraph and Argus Mr Payne had been second coxswain before that and since retirement has helped train the (Below) Ex-Coxswain Robert 'Bobbie' ILB crew. With him are Councillor and Mrs Brunton retired in 1976 after 29 years as a Horler, Mayor and Mayoress of Weston- member of Tynemouth lifeboat crew; he was super-Mare, and Crew Member Julian second coxswain from 1953 to 1963, cox- Morris. photograph by courtesy of swain from 1963 to 1976. At TynemoutH's Bristol Evening Post annual Christmas dinner the crew presented him with a ship's clock and there was a fine bowl of cyclamen for his wife, Florence. Coxswain Albert Bird (r.), Aberdeen, enter- photograph by courtesy of W. Burlison tains Skipper John Thomas, former assistant mechanic at Dungeness and the man who saved his life when Dungeness lifeboat rescued six men from Teeswood in the great Channel gale of 1956; a service for which Coxswain George Tart was awarded the bronze medal. Mr Thomas's son, Peter, is now assistant mechanic at Dungeness and was awarded the bronze medal for his part in the service to Merc Texco in 1974. photograph by courtesy of Aberdeen News and PR Services 283 Backbone of the FishingTrade.

This was one that didn't get away. One of a thousand million. A thousand million of the reasons why every day and night men put out to sea in all weathers to earn their living. A thousand million reasons why lifeboatmen are needed as much as they are. We at Birds Eye would like to voice our appreciation of the lifeboatmen. We are proud of our long association with them.

284 lifeboat station at 0010 on Thursday, Eyemouth, Borders Lifeboat Services September 9, 1976. September 29. Filey, North Yorkshire (from page 263) The weather was cloudy with poor visibility. It was blowing a strong gale October 25 and November 7. the whaleboat which had drifted further from the north north east and the sea Fishguard, Dyfed to leeward to within about 100' from September 9 and 11. was very rough when, at 0055, the 48' 6" Flamborough, Humberside the cliffs near the Cote du Nord hotel. Solent lifeboat Hugh William Viscount September 9 and October 20. His crew managed to get a grapnel into Cough was launched and set off at full Fleetwood, Lancashire the whaleboat and they towed her clear speed. At 0325 she reported having September 18, October 4 and 9. of the cliffs and back to the shelter of sighted a small boat, which proved to Fowey, Cornwall Bouley Bay to check inside the hull for be the missing craft, south of Eialan November 14. the possible missing American sailor: Uchard. The sole crew was holding on Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk there was no one on board, so Duchess to a string of lobster creels to keep him- September 5, 19, October 18, 20 and of Normandy continued to search along self from being swept on to the island. November 19. the cliff face. Harwich, Essex He was taken aboard the lifeboat September 2, 8, October 24, November As some of the libertymen had been which, with the fishing boat in tow, made 7, 9 and 16. given leave until 0630 it was not possible for Lemreway where another boat was Hastings, East Sussex to check the entire ship's complement waiting to take the survivor and his boat September 5. until the muster at 0700. By 0730 it was ashore. Holyhead, Gwynedd confirmed that there was no missing The transfer was made at 0430, after September 4, 11 and October 14. man. which the lifeboat set course for her Howth, Co. Dublin During the night both the Jersey and station. Arriving at 0635, she was re- October 10, November 25 and 28. Guernsey lifeboats, the St Catherines fuelled and rehoused at 0703. Humber, Humberside September 12, 20, October 1, 10, 21 and ILB, the States of Jersey Fire Service November 14. inshore boat and two privately owned Ilfracombe, North Devon boats had been searching for the Services by Offshore October 6. missing man. The search was called off Kirkwall, Orkney at 0735. Lifeboats, September, September 9, October 7 and 22. In addition to the search and rescue Lerwick, Shetland operations, Graeme Mercier also acted October and November, September 4, October 23 and November 1. as a radio link between uss Sellers and The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall Jersey radio. 1976 October 22 and 30 Aberdeen, Grampian Llandudno, Gwynedd For this service the thanks of the September 16 and November 6. Institution inscribed on vellum have October 1. Angle, Dyfed Lowestoft, Suffolk been accorded to Graeme Mercier and November 22 and 26. September 1, 7 (twice), 9, October 10, 25, vellum service certificates have been Arklow, Co. Wicklow November 11 and 17. presented to Graeme Marett and Jean September 11. Mallaig, Highland Rivoallen. Arranmore, Co. Donegal September 9 (twice) and 10. September 20 and November 23. Margate, Xent Barmouth, Gwynedd September 5 and November 25. North Eastern Division November 1. Newbiggin, Northumberland Barrow, Cumbria September 8. Cruiser in difficulties September 20, November 14 and 18. Newcastle, Co. Down A CABIN CRUISER off Skinningrove which Barry Dock, South Glamorgan September 1 and 5. appeared to be in difficulties and was September 26, October 24 and November 5. North Sunderland, Northumberland being kept under observation, was Bembridge, Isle of Wight October 6 and 19. September 18, 25, October 4 and Penlee, Cornwall reported to Redcar lifeboat station by October 17, 21, November 8 and 16. HM Coastguard at 1910 on Sunday, November 19. Bridlington, Humberside Peterhead, Grampian September 26, 1976. September 3, October 2 (twice), 20, 21 October 23. At 1938 the cruiser fired a red flare and 25. Plymouth, South Devon and at 1950 the 37' Oakley lifeboat Sir Buckie, Grampian November 6 and 21. James Knott was launched and started October 18, 30 and November 1. Poole, Dorset a search for the casualty. Visibility was Calshot, Hampshire September 29, October 11, 22, 26 and November 4. down to 50 yards and deteriorating, but September 3, 4, 26, October 18, 19 and 21. Campbeltown, Strathclyde Port Erin, Isle of Man with the aid of parachute flares, the September 18 and October 17. cruiser, a 25' ex-naval cutter with two September 9. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd people on board, was sighted 1| miles November 14. September 2. north of Skinningrove Jetty. At 2103 the Clogher Head, Co. Louth Portrush, Co. Antrim lifeboat was alongside and a towline September 2. September 15 and October 11. was passed. Because of heavy swell, the Cloughey-Portavogie, Co. Down Port St Mary, Isle of Man lifeboat and her tow made for the River October 22 and November 22. September 9 and 10. Clovelly, North Devon Pwllheli, Gwynedd Tees, arriving, with the help of Tees September 15 and 23. Harbour Radar, at 2306. October 19. Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork Ramsey, Isle of Man At 2405, again helped by Tees November 23. Harbour Radar, the lifeboat started on September 15. Dover, Kent Ramsgate, Kent her passage back to station, where she October 12, 14, 24, November 7, 17 and 29. September 24, October 19 and November arrived at 0152 and was rehoused at Dunbar, Forth 15. 0248. September 23. Redcar, Cleveland Dungeness, Kent September 8 and 26. Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford Scotland North Division September 19, 21 and October 14. Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin September 9. September 4 and 20. St David's, Dyfed Fishing boat missing Dunmore East, Co. Waterford Septembsr 1 and 13 (twice). A SMALL FISHING BOAT missing, believed September 5, 17 and October 3. St Helier, Jersey to be in the Loch Shell area, was reported Exmouth, South Devon September 17, October 5, 11, 31 and to the honorary secretary of Stornoway September 10 and October 3. November 3. 285 St Ives, Cornwall Atlantic College, South Glamorgan Lymington, Hampshire September 2, II and 17. September 16. October 21 and November 27. St Mary's, Isles of Scilly Bangor, Co. Down Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire September 11, 29, October 12, November September 8 and 19. September 26 and October 24. 15, 20 and 30. Barmouth, Gwynedd Margate, Kent St Peter Port, Guernsey September 27 and October 10. September 8 and 18. September 17, October 2, 17, 18, 22, Barrow, Cumbria Morecambe, Lancashire November 1, 3, 23 and 28. September 28. September 24 and November 28. Salcombe, South Devon Beaumaris, Gwynedd Mudeford, Dorset September 4, 7, 9 and 17. September 4 and October 23. September 6, 11, 24 (twice), October 22 and Scarborough, North Yorkshire Bembridge, Isle of Wight 23. September 2, 21, 24, October 13 and 14. September 18. New Brighton, Merseyside Seaham, Co. Durham Blackpool, Lancashire September 21, 28, October 10, 17 and 23. September 11, October 22, November 10 September 5 (twice). New Quay, Dyfed and 22. Berth, Dyfed September 8 and 27. Seisey, West Sussex September 2, 15 and 18. Newquay, Cornwall October 2, 14 and 28. Bridlington, Humberside September 22. Sennen Cove, Cornwall September 7 (twice). Oban, Strathclyde September 12. Broughty Ferry, Tayside October 6. Sheerness, Kent September 22, 24, 26, October 14 and 23. Peel, Isle of Man September 9, 14, October 10, 14, 20, 23, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex September 10. 25, 30, November 10, 12 and 15. September 29. Poole, Dorset Sheringham, Norfolk Burry Port, Dyfed September 10 and October 1. September 4, 26 and November 14. September 27 and October 5. Port Isaac, Cornwall Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex Clacton-on-Sea, Essex September 10. September 6, October 10 and November 14. September 3, 6, October 24 and Pwllheli, Gwynedd Skegness, Lincolnshire November 3. September 12. October 14 and 25. Coverack, Cornwall Queensferry, Forth Stornoway, Western Isles September 2 and 7. September 3, October 24 and November 14. September 9. Craster, Northumberland Ramsgate, Kent Sunderland, Tyne and Wear September 5. September 12. November 22. Criccieth, Gwynedd Redcar, Cleveland Swanage, Dorset September 5 and 23. September 5, 8 and 13. September 5, 9, 15, 24, October 14, 24, 27 Eastbourne, East Sussex Rhyl, Clwyd and November 20. September 26 and October 24. September 2 and 26. Teesmouth, Cleveland Eastney (B.530), Hampshire Rye Harbour, East Sussex October 9. September 4, 16, 25, 26, October 3 and September 24 and October 3 (twice). Tenby, Dyfed November 1. St Abbs, Borders October 5. Eastney (D.184), Hampshire September 9. Thurso, Highland September 4, 11, 16, 25, October 3 (twice), St Catherines, Jersey October 8. 5, 16, 23, 24, 28 and November 1. November 3. Torbay, South Devon Exmouth, South Devon St Ives, Cornwall September 15, November 13, 19, 23 and 26. September 11, 12 and 15. September 3 and 12. Troon, Strathclyde Flint, Clwyd Sheerness, Kent September 19 and October 15. October 23. September 7, 26 (twice) and October 24. Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex October 10, 11 and November 7. September 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 15, October 28 September 5 (twice), 25 and November 7. Walmer, Kent (twice), 29, November 1, 11 (twice), 16 and Skegness, Lincolnshire September 1, October 21 and November 20. 18. September 12. Walton and Frinton, Essex Hartlepool, Cleveland Southend-on-Sea (D.150), Essex November 14. October 22, 24, November 13 and 28. September 3, 26, November 13, 15 and 28. Wells, Norfolk Harwich, Essex Southend-on-Sea (B.527), Essex September 26. September 10, October 3, 22, November 7 September 6, 26, October 10, 12, 25, 29 and Weymouth, Dorset and 24. November 15. September 3, 8, October 11, 14 and Hastings, East Sussex Southwold, Suffolk November 28. September 2, 12, 17 and 21. September 26 and October 7. Whitby, North Yorkshire Hayling Island, Hampshire Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway September 2, 11, 21 and 30. September 4, 10, 26, October 9, 21, 23, 14, September 1 and 22. Wicklow, Co. Wicklow November 1 and 14. Tenby, Dyfed September 2 and October 16. Helensburgh, Strathclyde September 2, 5, 22 and October 16. Workington, Cumbria September 3, 19, October 30, November 6, Torbay, South Devon September 15, October 3 and November 6. 21 and 25. October 24. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight Horton and Port Eynon, West Glamorgan Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd October 5, 14, 21, 27 and November 6. September 11. September 1 and 7. Youghal, Co. Cork Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear October 22 and November 12. Howth, Co. Dublin October 11, 17, 24 and November 14. September 18. Walmer, Kent Humbermouth, Humberside September 1 and October 11. Services by Inshore September 12. Wells, Norfolk Kingliorn, Forth September 5 and 9. Lifeboats, September, September 7. West Mersea, Essex Largs, Strathclyde September 2 (twice), 17, 25, 30, October 5 October and November, September 9, 17 and November 7. (twice), 14, November 7 and 12. Littlehampton, West Sussex Weston-Super-Mare, Avon 1976 September 2, 19 (twice), 27, October 16 and September 19, 20, 25 (twice), October 24 Aberdovcy, Gwynedd 24 (twice). (twice) and November 5. September 12, 27 and November 11. Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent Whitby, North Yorkshire Abersoch, Gwynedd September 1, 26, October 13 and 17. September 5, 8, 13, 30 and October 10. September 15 and November 14. Llandudno, Gwynedd Whitstable, Kent Aberystwyth, Dyfed September 16. September 16 (twice), October 8, 14, 22 and September 5 and October 27. Lyme Regis, Dorset 23. Arbroath, Tayside September 5, 27, October 7, 23 and Novem- Yarmouth, Isle of Wight October 26. ber 11. September 24.

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from the shore directly into the seas, not drifted so far off shore and had been Sea Beat when a police officer on shore sighted a recovered by men wading in from the child and indicated that the boat should beach. (continued from page 270) search further south and to seaward. For their part in this rescue Ben After another short search the crew Usher and Terry Dawson were awarded away and, on the first attempt to launch saw the girl—she was about ten years the thanks of the Institution inscribed through the heavy surf, the boat was old—rise on the crest of a wave and on vellum. thrown back broadside on to the beach. slide into a trough, but, as they But that is not the end of the story. With perseverance, however, the crew approached her the boat was thrown The little girl's grandmother was the managed to get through the surf and away by a sea. As she looked in pretty chairman of a ladies' guild in Hull, and then set course through 8 to 9 foot poor shape, Terry Dawson jumped Ben and Terry received wonderful breaking seas to search the area a mile over the side and supported her while letters from her. Full circle. The lifeboat down the coast to the south. the ILB made a second approach. She service helping the people who in turn Handling the ILB with great skill, was lifted inboard, given artificial give it their loyal support. It is part of Ben Usher was conducting a saw-tooth respiration, Terry Dawson was helped the community, as is the police force. search, running in with the surf at an back and the ILB returned to the shore No wonder the bonds between the two angle of 45 degrees and coming away with the child safe. The fourth child had bodies are close.

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287 Index to Advertisers Birds Eye Foods ». .. 284 TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Henry Browne and Son Ltd .. 254 Central London Committee Inside Back Cover When your organisation holds its next fund raising effort at a Cogswell and Harrison Ltd Inside Back Cover carnival, fete, donkey derby, boat show or similar activity you can make an additional £200 in a few hours by running a Crighton Agencies Ltd Inside Back Cover Teddy Bears Picnic. No financial risk as all stock is supplied at Evett Sailwear Ltd 288 wholesale price on full sale or return, nothing to pay until Functional Clothing Ltd Inside Front Cover after the event, then you pay for what you use, return the David Jolly (Tiller Master) .. 287 balance. Send for full details giving Club/Guild name and status to: John Lee .. 287 Mermaid Marine Engines .. 254 V. WEBSTER (DEPT LB) Neco Marine. Ltd Inside Back Cover BRINELL WAY .. 287 Products and Services Guide HARFREYS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE .. 254 Rentokil GREAT YARMOUTH TWA ... , .. Outside Back Cover V. Webster 288 NORFOLK NR3I OLU C. P. Witter Ltd 288

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