CREW TAKEN OFF At 2.50 p.m. on 9th December, 1964, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a trawler was aground on Boray Holm, Gairsay. The life-boat The John Gellatly Hyndmanputoutat^.s in a strong south-westerly wind and a rough sea. It was one hour after low water. At 4.53 the life-boat reached the trawler Avondow of Aberdeen, which was high and dry, and was asked to stand by. Ten of the trawler's crew were taken to Kirkwall by the fishing boat Lotus while three remained aboard. At 7.45 the life-boat was asked to take the 10 men back to their vessel and this she did at 8.20. About two hours later the trawler Grampian Hill arrived. At 11.30 the Avondow was listing badly and all her crew were taken aboard the Ufe-boat although some returned later to try with the help of the Grampian Hill to refloat her. Their attempts were unsuccessful.

The crew left in the Ufe-boat and were landed at Kirkwall with the exception of the skipper who was transferred to the other trawler. The Ufe-boat returned to her station at 6.30 a.m..