Trimley Maid

Coxswain Peter Huxtable received the RNLI's Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum after saving the lives of two elderly yachtsmen whose craft was in danger in severe gales off the Sussex Coast. Five crew members received Vellum service certificates. They are: Peter Lowe, Mark Blatcher, Simon Tugwell, Charlie Hubbard and Mike Fox.

As darkness was falling on the evening of 2nd June 1999, Shoreham Lifeboat station was informed that the 34 ft yacht, the Trimley Maid, was experiencing adverse weather off Brighton Marina with the crew unsure of their position and asking for assistance. The weather conditions were cloudy, with south westerly winds gusting Force 9 giving a very rough sea, with a height of 6m and a flooding spring tide.

These conditions were outside the operating limits for the Brighton Lifeboat.
Using the lifeboat's VHF direction finding equipment and visual search techniques, the casualty was quickly located one and a quarter miles SE of Brighton. On reaching the yacht it was established that the two elderly crew members were reluctant to leave the cockpit, so Coxswain Huxtable agreed to escort the craft rather than attempt a tow.

As soon as it became obvious that the yacht was making little progress Coxswain Huxtable decided that the only way to save the vessel was to establish a tow. Despite appalling conditions a tow was passed at the first attempt and made fast by the yacht crew.

Subsequently, in spite of the yacht experiencing a complete knock-down in the heavy seas, the lifeboat managed to tow the yacht to Brighton where huge waves were crashing off both sides of the Marina entrance.
With the Brighton inshore lifeboat and another rigid inflatable standing by Coxswain Huxtable successfully negotiated the harbour entrance and handed the tow over.

Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats, East, Martyn Smith, said in his report 'Coxswain Huxtable demonstrated tenacity and clarity of thought. His ability as a seaman is without doubt, as is his ability to lead his crew in adverse conditions'.