NARROW SHAVE ON COD ROCKS PEOPLE at Tre-Arddur Bay, Anglesey, on 2nd September, 1971, saw a dinghy capsize about 50 to 100 yards south west of Cod Rocks. Maroons were fired immediately and at 4.50 p.m. the ILB was launched from Forth Diana.

Sea conditions were bad with the wind south west force 6. This wind increased fairly quickly during the afternoon causing a heavy swell in Tre-Arddur Bay. Conditions gave heavy broken water to windward of Cod Rocks and calm conditions to leeward.

The ILB left Forth Diana by the northern channel and made directly for the casualty which had been righted but had capsized again.

Both survivors were clinging to the waterlogged dinghy which was drifting rapidly towards Cod Rocks. Cod Rocks, which do not cover at high water springs, have a larger platter extending about 100 feet south west of the rocks. This platter, which dries out at low water, would cause very heavy surf under the prevailing conditions.

The dinghy was very close to this platter by the time the ILB arrived and an attempt was made to tow the dinghy clear but without success. The helmsman realised that barely sufficient time remained to pick up the dinghy crew so the survivors, who were wearing lifejackets and wet suits, were told to get clear of the dinghy. This they did.

The ILB turned and picked up the first survivor, who was nearest to the rocks, without difficulty. The ILB then turned again to recover the second survivor who by this time had been swept over the platter south west of Cod Rocks.

The approach was made as near head to sea as possible and the crewman managed to get the survivor on board. At this moment a rogue sea built up and the backwash exposed the platter astern and below the ILB, which just touched the rock with the engine causing very slight deformation of the skeg. At full throttle the ILB climbed the wave and came clear of the water at the crest. She also cleared the rocks at the same time.

There was no difficulty in returning to Forth Diana where the ILB beached at 5.5 p.m. After the survivors had been picked up their dinghy was recovered, the only damage being to the mast.

The Committee of Management has awardedthe bronze medal of the Institution for gallantry to Helmsman John G. V. Burns and crewman Edmund M. O. Williams..