On the 13th of May, 1953, the Valentia life-boat found the French trawler Liberator, of Camaret, south of the Blasket Islands after an eight- hour search in a very rough sea. The coxswain took the life-boat close to the stern of the trawler in darkness, passed a rope on board, and took her in tow. For the determination and initiative he showed Coxswain Jere- miah O'Connell was awarded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum. A full account of this service will be found on page 538..