MV Amberley Rescue 2 Apr 1973
 

40 years ago the weather off the East Coast of the UK was even worse than today, with 60+kt north easterly winds and frequent snow showers – weather that was on the limits for the Whirlwind. MV Amberley was a relatively small collier caught up in the storms, and when her cargo started shifting and she lost steerage, a major rescue attempt got underway. Whirlwinds from both Leconfield and Coltishall were scrambled, although starting them (gust limits on rotor engagement) was interesting, and in all 4 crews (I think) eventually got airborne. Conditions in transit were horrendous, and winching survivors off the vessel in the sea state prevailing was extremely hazardous. Bowsers had to be sent to Cromer as by the time each aircraft had lifted all the survivors it could carry fuel was extremely short and just enough for the short downwind transit. At the same time two AEW Shackletons diverted to the overhead as top cover, with Lindholme gear available (but probably not much use) if required.

At the end of the day of what was probably the most intense job the rotary SAR Force had experienced up until then, 1 Air Force Medal, 3 Air Force Crosses and 3 Queens Commendations were awarded, 16 men had been rescued, including the Captain who was the last one off the ship as it rolled over. Subsequently a number of members of the crews involved were given further international awards at a ceremony in USA (sorry, don’t know which). Many other people were involved, but what I saw that day in the overhead , whilst we were also being thrown around by the turbulence has remained one of the most memorable, whilst also giving me a reason to go rotary.

Unfortunately all the photos I took of the event (from the AEW Shack) were handed over to the RAF on return to Lossiemouth, and then never saw the light of day again, although a painting of the incident was produced later. This rescue, although it has faded from current memories, was on a par with Piper Alpha, Fastnet and similar, considering the underpowered nature of the Whirlwind and the prevailing weather.

As we start the wind down of military SAR services, it is worth remembering the major jobs from the past, and hand the baton on to the new kids on the block to carry on the traditions. To all SAR crews past, present and future – as the navy would say – BZ.

Shack, found this.
Wreck Tour: 95 The Amberley - Divernet

User:Necrothesp/List of recipients of the Air Force Medal since World War II - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu...12874/page.pdf

My dad told me about the storm, his father, the Officers' Mess Barman kept the bar open for the crew's return.

Well done Dick!

lsh
:E

The wreck
 

I was SDO at West Raynham that night. We needed to get a bowser full of fuel to Cromer pronto to fill up the helos en route the sinking. The duty MT driver was very concerned that the bowser concerned, we needed to send a small one to negotiate the country lanes, was not street legal lacking the appropriate signs for carrying furel on public roads.

I arranged for a nav from 85 to steal some flares from the third seat of a Canberra in the hangar to guide the helos to the site and off they went.

I thought the way to avoid problems with the bowser was to make a clean breast of it with the rozzers at the local cop shop and rang them up.

The bowser was escorted all the way by two cop cars, lights and bells a full bloom. The nav and driver stayed with the bowser overnight at the local pub and came back next morning mostly empty.

Nothing more was ever said about the legal situation, cops had a certain degree of common sense in them days. The 85 Squadron engineer wanted me charged with sabotage

thanks
 

Hi I was a crew member of that ship (cabin boy) and the youngest one on board,and as such was the first one winches off the arse end that day although I thought the cook should have been the first off as he had family but I was seriously outvoted by all the men at the rear of the ship we didn't have contact with the crew on the midships section,very cold day that day especially in the chopper with the doors open just like to say thanks for coming to our assistance especially after the lifeboat crews ashore couldn't launch because the weather was so bad, We were so glad to see you cheers and a happy nee year to you

Shackman
The painting of the rescue is on display in the Coltishall Memorial Rooms within the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum at Neatishead.

Truly an epic rescue, well done to all involved especially me old mate Digger! (in joke from Valley days)

Some Pub Trivia...


One of the winchmen involved in the Amberley rescue (Flight Sergeant DA) became the silhouette winchman in the logo of the RAF Manston History Museum. The image used was of him underneath a Sea King while based at RAF Manston in the early 1990's.

The RAF Manston History Museum


The logo is top left of the page on the link.

DA
 

He's now CFI of a flying club at Humberside. :D

HI, Late response to this one. My father Flt Lt Ben Braithwaite was the pilot of the first whirlwind on scene, the award he and Dinty Moore the winchman received in America was the Avco Lycomin award for helicopter heroism, the first time it had been awarded out of the USA. Conditions were as stated appalling, the whirlwind was started in the hanger, not allowed but the end result worked. Chatting to Dinty a few years ago he said the hanger went IMC on start-up. They actually over-loaded the whirlwind with crew from the Amberley as the other Helos were running late due to weather conditions. I understand that they landed on not far from a pub where-upon the crew from the Amberley started pulling money out from all sorts of places and a session ensued. The controller from the RCC that evening was Brian Laird

Dinty More
 

I am oroud to say that my father in law Dinty More was a winchman in this rescue ans was one if the three to receive the AFC.
He also received a further award at The whitehouse, which he today passed down to my husbnd.

As my father in law is now 86 and not in briliant health it would be fantastic if he could get to meet the gentleman who posted as the youngest person rescued whilst he is still with us.

https://iea1mq.dm2301.livefilestore....&cropmode=none

The Gent himself, Dinty Moore!
72 Sqn Centenary, Linton-on Ouse, August

contact meeting Father in law
 

Hi Suemore this is miniman1 I cannot reply through PM but perhaps you can please contact if you will Regards S

Crewman
 

My late Father John Mowbray Forth known as Charlie was a crewman on the M.V. Amberely when it went down that day. Thanks for the efforts from his son and family to those involved in the rescue.