As a water sports enthusiast, having spent her early years teaching kitesurfing, sailing and water-skiing across a number of continents, Eleanor has a profound respect and love of the ocean and sought ways to help protect those who might come into difficulty.

“From seeing first-hand how quickly conditions can change when out on the open water, I have always had the deepest of respect for the ocean and joined Hayling Lifeboat as a way to give back to my community and help those who may get caught out. Over the years we have rescued all manner of people from seasoned sailors to everyday beach lovers.”

The rescue that saw the seven crew members commended for their actions took place in force 5 – 6 winds increasing to force 7 on a flooding tide, just off West Wittering on the South Coast of the UK. The 25ft vessel was sailing with three occupants onboard without a working engine. The yacht’s keel was crashing against the bottom in 1.5m of water and pitching violently in the conditions, taking on water and was in danger of capsizing. Both the station’s vessels were launched, the Hayling D class lifeboat Jacob with Andrew Ferguson at the helm, along with Lloyd Pepperell and Jack Anson as crew, heading into a strong flooding tide in a breaking two-metre confused sea. A few minutes later the station’s Atlantic 85 Derek Battle took to the water encountering huge waves under the command of Dan Macpherson with Sharon Swan, Eleanor Briggs and Thomas Lincoln as crew.

Once on scene the smaller of the lifeboats was able to come alongside the yacht in the perilous conditions and dropped crew member Lloyd Pepperell onboard the casualty vessel, to check on the occupants, and place himself on the bow of the boat to fasten the tow line thrown by the crew onboard the Atlantic 85.

A description of the tow to safety taken from the original announcement stated that “Speed was limited to three or four knots as the yacht reacted violently, twisting and bucking at any attempt to go faster. During this time Pepperell managed to get the engine working and eventually was able to helm the vessel to a mooring and its occupants made safe ashore. No injuries were sustained during the operation.”

Speaking about the rescue Eleanor commented,

“When you head out in conditions like on that day, you don’t think about how big the waves are or what might happen, you focus on your training, your team and getting the job done.”

Through the quick response and skilled leadership shown by the helmsmen Andrew Ferguson and Dan Macpherson, they received the ‘Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum’. For his extreme selflessness, Lloyd Pepperell also received ‘Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum’. Eleanor Briggs, Jack Anson, Sharon Swan and Tom Lincoln received ‘Vellum service certificates’ for their courage and teamwork during the rescue.