Memorial service for the seven boatmen lost at sea 40 years ago

AN invitation has gone out to relatives of those who were lost 40 years ago in one of the worst disasters off the Yorkshire coast.

A memorial service will be held in Flamborough on May 7 in memory of the seven men who died on Bank Holiday on May 7 1984 – a day recalled by many in the village.

The fishing coble Carole Sandra went down with all four crew on board. Then an angling boat, North Wind III – sent to investigate a reported oil slick – also foundered. Three of the anglers aboard her – gas board workers from Doncaster out for a day’s fishing – also lost their lives.

Carole Sandra had been seen making her way through a heavy swell off Flamborough Head to move crab pots early that day.

Later her mast was spotted sticking above the waves by a walker at Breil Newk, who thought it was an old wreck. He told the owner of the Headlands Cafe, who raised the alarm.

Three lifeboats were launched and the rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield. But Flamborough lifeboat had to be towed back to harbour by Bridlington lifeboat after her engines packed up.

At 4.45pm North Wind III was close inshore when she was struck by a huge wave that swept the five anglers out of the vessel “like corks”.

Just as the boat was about to recover one of them, she was hit broadside by a second colossal wave, capsizing and trapping skipper Palmer Cockerill and his son.

The RAF helicopter sent down a winchman to pick up one of the anglers, who was struggling in the sea and tried to land him on the Filey lifeboat.

But it was being tossed about, there was a collision, injuring the winchman and the survivor fell into the sea. However, the survivor was rescued by a lifeboatman.

Miraculously as the capsized angling boat was driven towards the bottom of the cliff, a figure was seen scrambling from beneath, followed by another. Skipper Cockerill and his son David, who had been trapped in an air pocket, managed to escape when the boat rolled in the swell.

They were rescued by four men, including fishermen and a coastguard, who abseiled down the cliffs and waded out to help them. The search for the bodies of those who died went on for two weeks.

At a memorial service, Coxswain Bob Major, of Flamborough lifeboat, told the hushed congregation: “We did try but it just seemed it had to be.” Flamborough lifeboat crew will lay a wreath at sea on May 5. People are invited to attend a short service starting at 10am on May 7 in Cameron's Gardens, adjacent to a memorial stone to the disaster.

Wreaths will be laid by organisations including the RNLI and coastguard. Julie Toft, sister of one of the anglers Brian Priestley, is also attending.

Organisers Flamborough Fishermen's Memorial Group chairman Mark Smales extended a warm welcome to relatives, saying they are “family”. He said: “People over 45 remember the day.

“It was as the old coastguard said at the memorial service – it was just meant to be.”