COXSWAIN Dermot Walsh of the Valentia, Co. Kerry, life-boat has been awarded a silver medal and six of the crew members accorded the Institution's thanks on vellum, for courageous rescue operations oif the west coast of Ireland.

These took place in darkness and appalling weather conditions on the night of 20th/21st February, 1970, when the life-boat Rowland Watts went to the help of the 650-ton motor vessel Oranmore of Limerick, in distress with her engines broken down nine miles N.N.W. of Brandon Head.

The operation—through which eventually 10 crew members were rescued alive and the body of another crew member was also recovered—followed a call from Valentia radio station. At 6.5 p.m. the life-boat slipped her moorings and started on a 42-mile passage to the distressed vessel. The sea was rough and it was about one hour before high water at Knightstown.

A northerly course was made through the Blasket Sound to Sybil Approach where an alteration N.E. towards the position of the rapidly-drifting casualty was made. Parachute flares fired by the rescuers were spotted by the Oranmore and, in turn, reported through Valentia radio.

At 11.15 p.m. the life-boat was hove-to off the casualty in very high seas and heavy Atlantic swell. Two hours later, with his vessel's remaining anchor dragging, the ship's master signalled that he wished part of the crew taken off.

Coxswain Walsh made his first run-in and despite the life-boat rising between 20-30 feet with crashing seas, one man was snatched to safety from a rope ladder placed on the ship's starboard side. A second similar run was made and two more men were snatched from the ladder, but it was impossible to hold the life- boat alongside more than a few seconds. At this stage the suggestion to abandon ship was taken.

SHIP'S MATE FELL After the coxswain had successfully passed a nylon securing line to the Oranmore he got the life-boat alongside and by skill brought her towards the ship's ladder as she was swept aft by the heavy seas. This manoeuvre was repeated several times, and sometimes a man successfully jumped and was caught, on other occasions he was grabbed from the ladder. Unfortunately, the seventh man, the ship's mate, miscalculated his jump and fell into the sea.

Momentarily leaving the scene the life-boat coxswain grabbed the man with a boat hook and with other crew members managed to haul him over the stern.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was immediately applied by the coxswain, followed by mechanic Houlihan, and continued by other survivors, but un- fortunately the man was not revived.

The rescue work was continued despite the violent seas and the remainder of the Oranmore's crew was taken off by 2.10 when the life-boat slipped her head- rope. As the engines worked astern the port propeller became fouled by a rope, but efforts to force this failed.

Coxswain Walsh decided to run for Kilrush Harbour where the life-boat arrived at 6.15 a.m. Medical help was waiting to attend injuries. After a meal the life-boat crew was allowed to rest at the home of Dr. D. Ryan (honorary treasurer of Kilrush and Kilkee R.N.L.I. branch) and her husband. Later hotel accommodation was provided by the Oranmore's owners until the life-boat left Kilrush the following day after repairs.

Life-boat crew members accorded the Institution's special thanks are: Bowman Anthony O'Connor, Mechanic John Joseph Houlihan, his assistant, Patrick Murphy, crew members John Curran, John Curtin and Neale Murphy..