The “Bernard Matthews” launched at 3.40 pm and set course through a gap in the Scroby sands to the position of the casualty. Radio contact was made with the “Aurora” who relayed messages to the “Madame” as the yachts RI signal was very weak. Conditions at the scene were bad with a NW8 and a 10-15 ft swell so the “Aurora” attempted to give the yacht a lee.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 5 pm, and found the yacht with the jib loose and ropes hanging over the side. It was soon apparent that the 9-man crew of the yacht were exhausted and not able to cope with the situation through severe sea sickness, so Dick Thurlow decided to put John Cannell, crewman, aboard. The sea was pitching the “Madame” about erratically with, at times, her keel clearly visible. The Coxswain at the second attempt managed to get close enough to enable the crewman to jump on board.
Once aboard, it was clear that the bilges were full of water and diesel fuel and that the crew would not be able to assist in connecting the tow in this situation. Mick Nutt was also put aboard and with great difficulty the tow was connected. The “Bernard Matthews” with the “Madame” in tow then made for Yarmouth harbour in conditions which were, to say the least, very uncomfortable, with the crew of the yacht below in their bunks.
During the course of the tow, one sea hit the lifeboat and put out it’s starboard navigation light, the yacht’s foresail was carried away and the main boom broken from the mast. Eventually, after entering Yarmouth roads via the Corton Channel, they reached the safety of the harbour at 9.30 pm with nine young people glad to get their feet on dry land.
The crew of the lifeboat were Dick Thurlow, (Coxswain), Paul Williams, (2nd Coxswain), Mick Nutt, Ivanjones, Nigel Irett, John Cannell, Lee Brown and Paul Garrod.