Falmouth’s lifeboat Coxswain Mark Pollard has been awarded the RNLI’s Bronze Medal for fortitude, exemplary leadership and outstanding seamanship in the rescue of a powerless, drifting cargo vessel, with eight people on board, at night, during a violent storm.
Other Royal National Lifeboat Institution volunteers, Second Coxswain Peter Wood, Crew Members Carl Beardmore, Tom Bird, Andrew Jenkin, David Nicoll and full-time Mechanic David Proud, who were also on board the Falmouth RNLI lifeboat, have received Medal Service Certificates for their crucial part in the rescue. In recognition of the valuable physical and moral support provided by Fowey RNLI lifeboat throughout this gruelling service, a Chairman’s Framed Letter Of Thanks was awarded to Coxswain Keith Stuart.
Simon Pryce, RNLI Divisional Inspector, explains:
‘This service was carried out on one of the wildest nights experienced along this coast for a number of years. During the crucial part of the rescue the lifeboat crews were subject to storm force 10 winds gusting to violent storm force 11.
‘Coxswain Pollard handled the Falmouth lifeboat – which was working at its limits, in an exceptional manner. He had the skill and confidence to hold her in a hazardous position while his crew attempted to pass the tow.
‘The presence of Fowey lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Stuart, was of great benefit to Coxswain Pollard. Coxswain Stuart not only provided a sounding board and an extra set of eyes, but, most importantly, a safety net had anything gone wrong or anyone fallen overboard from the Galina. Fowey lifeboat was uncomfortable – at one point it was seen to be completely airborne.’
Short rescue synopsis follows:
The rescue began just before midnight, 2 November 2005. A 32m cargo vessel Galina had lost all power 11 miles east of Falmouth and was in danger of being driven ashore. RNLI all weather lifeboats from Falmouth and Fowey were launched to stand by the drifting vessel that was awaiting the arrival of the Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) "Anglian Princess", three hours later.
In extremely demanding conditions, gale force 8 gusting to force 10, the two RNLI lifeboats and their crews stood by the Galina, in darkness, open to the full force of the wind and waves. The two coxswains, noting the vessel’s rate of drift, became concerned that by the time the ETV arrived the Galina would be within one mile of the shore. This would give only 40 minutes to secure and establish a tow, which would be made all the more difficult by the shallow water they would then be in.
With Fowey lifeboat acting as a man overboard guard, Coxswain Pollard – on board Falmouth’s larger lifeboat – established a tow. After careful manoeuvring of the lifeboat and many attempts by the lifeboat crew to throw a towline, all in gusts of up to 53 knots, a line was connected, but it was creaking loudly under the strain of the load. Despite the conditions, the lifeboat crew attached a second towrope to the first and a slow tow commenced.
Upon arrival of the ETV it took several messages to give enough confidence to the Galina crew to release the towline from the lifeboat for reconnection with the ETV. With the lifeboat pitching heavily and the weight of the heavy rope, it took the lifeboat crew 15 minutes to retrieve the towline. The ETV connected a fresh towrope to the Galina, but it parted under the strain. Coxswain Pollard then agreed to evacuate Galina’s crew if necessary – an extremely difficult manoeuvre given the shape of the cargo vessel’s hull and the conditions. Eventually a new towrope was connected by the ETV and the passage to safety began, away from the threatening shore. Fowey lifeboat was released at 4.20am and Falmouth lifeboat at 5.12am.
We can only add our congratulations to the crew on these awards that recognise their skills, courage and commitment to saving lives at sea.
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