ADDITIONAL monetary awards have been paid to the crew of the Courtmacsherry' Co. Cork, life-boat for the service they undertook to the French trawler Obelix on 18th February, 1969, in the worst local weather for years.

Mr. G. R. Walton, the No. 10 Area Inspector of Life-boats, reported: This long and arduous service was carried out in a well-calculated manner. After completing the service to the French trawler, they stayed at sea in case required for the second distress call rather than return to the relative comfort of Kinsale.' So cold was the weather that when the crew returned to harbour their hands and faces were swollen by the effects of the snow blizzard.

At about 11 p.m. it was learnt that the Obelix was drifting on to the Old Head of Kinsale and was by then within a quarter of a mile of the shore.

Another French trawler was reported to be trying to get a line aboard the casualty.

Accordingly, the maroons were fired at 11.03 p.m. and the life-boat, Sir Arthur Rose, which is a 46-foot Watson type, slipped her moorings seven minutes later.

The wind was easterly, force 9, gusting to force 10, with a heavy sea. Visibility was fair, but there were intermittent snow showers.

LINE ABOARD Soon after leaving harbour information was received that the trawler had cleared the Old Head. At 12.45 the life-boat reached the casualty to find that her companion trawler had already got a line aboard and both were safely riding out the storm.

Coxswain J. P. Barry decided that conditions on the Courtmacsherry barprevented a night crossing. He was already on the way to Kinsale for shelter when a further Mayday message addressed to Land's End radio was intercepted.

Due to interference the life-boat was unable to receive the message clearly.

Coxswain Barry therefore decided to remain at sea in case the new casualty should turn out to be in his area. The life-boat rode out the gale in the vicinity of the two trawlers and returned to her station at 10.05 a.m., securing on the mooring at 10.30 on 19th February..