DR. D. I. AITKEN, of Swanage, has been awarded a special certificate on vellum in recognition of the part he played when the Swanage life-boat landed a sick man from the motor vessel Maya of Beirut on ist December, 1966.

At 1.25 p.m. on that day the coastguard told the assistant honorary secretary of the Swanage life-boat station, Mr. A. C. L. Hardy, that a vessel at anchor in Swanage Bay had signalled that she needed the help of a doctor. The maroons were fired and contact was made with Dr. Aitken.

POOR VISIBILITY There was a southerly gale with a rough sea. The weather was overcast with frequent rain squalls. Visibility was poor and the tide was half-ebb. The life-boat R.L.P., which is one of the 41 foot class, was launched at 1.40. She reached the Maya seven minutes later. The Maya was dragging her anchor and Coxswain R. J. Hardy decided to lie off until the Maya had re-anchored about a mile off Swanage pier. The motor vessel was heading to the west and rolling heavily to the southerly swell on her beam.

The wind increased and veered first to the west and then to the north west.

There was a heavy rain squall and visibility was reduced to about 200 yards. The tide was ebbing to the south east at about two knots and there was a rough sea and a heavy swell.

SEVERAL ATTEMPTS Coxswain Hardy approached the lee or starboard side of the Maya, where a rope ladder had been lowered. It was extremely difficult to hold the life-boat in position alongside and Dr. Aitken had to make several attempts to grab the ladder. He finally succeeded and was followed on board by Mr. P. Dorey, a mem- ber of the crew, who was a qualified first aider. The time was then 2 p.m.

The sick man was found to be suffering from an internal complaint, and Coxswain Hardy therefore asked the coastguard to arrange for an ambulance to meet the life-boat when she returned. The sick man was lowered into the life- boat by use of the Neil Robertson stretcher. The time was then 2.17, and half an hour later the life-boat returned to the slipway.

A letter of thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Captain the Hon.

V. M. Wyndham-Quin, R.N., was sent to Coxswain Hardy and the crew..