RNLI Life boat stories by Daniel Aston aged 13

Cornwall arts and culture from genius loci

photography and imaging effects by daniel aston

Into Hell and High water - part two [next] [previous]
Then tragedy struck, as the winchman was slowly lowered, the yacht launched a flare directly upwards, towards the helicopter! Walsh watched the fast moving ball of red light through his binoculars; the winchman screamed as he narrowly dodged the missile, but it wasn’t over. The flare flew into the chord supporting the winchman, and it snapped! He fell thirty feet into the waves beneath, missing the yacht as he swung uncontrollably away from the flare. The Sea King immediately radioed the Lifeboat, “Hello! Help, over!” Marr picked up the call and answered “What’s going on, over?!”
“Our winchman has fallen into the waves! The flare cut the chord and he’s fallen! We need to find him, over!”
“Right away, over and out!”

Marr informed the rest of the crew and they began to search the seas, but with waves reaching ten-foot, it was unlikely he could have survived! Then, as things couldn’t get any worse, another flare was set off and it zoomed towards to cockpit of the helicopter, “INCOMING!!!” cried the pilot as it crashed into the glass and up into the roof of the cockpit starting a fire. The helicopter began to spin franticly and became out of control, the pilots called for May Day as they fell on top of the yacht and then began to sink bringing the helpless vessel with it. The whole incident was watched by the crew of the Fowey Lifeboat as they saw the flames fall and the almighty crash. The impact on the surface of the water triggered a super wave and it headed straight for the Lifeboat. They sailed directly into the wave but the incredible force pushed the boat over and for the third time it capsized.

When the boat was the right way up and all the crew were called for, they rushed for the radio. Shaw radioed the coastguard and told them the situation, he requested Falmouth Lifeboat for help but only to find out that it was out on call! Shaw asked for the Lizard Tyne class Lifeboat for assistance and its crew were immediately informed. Finally, another Sea King, this time from RNAS Culdrose was summoned. All they could do now was battle the waves themselves. Then, out of pure luck, Cooper spotted someone amongst the waves, it was the winchman.

“Look! The winchman!” he cried and began to sail towards him. Marr reached out, grabbed him by the hand and pulled him aboard, but then, to everyone’s surprise, a towering wave hit the Brede and knocked Marr and the winchman into the sea. Shaw, Cooper and Walsh all saw them go down, but as the Lifeboat yet again capsized, they would have to wait until they could begin the rescue. Seconds went by as the Lifeboat gradually self-righted itself and continued the mission. Shaw threw a rope to the two men and pulled them in; finally they were aboard.

Marr asked the winchman if he’d seen anyone else but he replied “No!” Cooper radioed the Lizard Lifeboat to check its progress, but they were still a while from Fowey. The helicopter was almost there and would have a much better look on the waters from above than the Lifeboats. Walsh took the winchman to the Survivors’ Cabin and assisted him there. The other three crewmen were searching the waters for more survivors but there was no luck. A few minutes later, though, the Sea King arrived. Shaw spoke to the pilot on the radio channel and discussed the situation.

Click here for part 3