FOUR BOATS AND CREWS SAVED IN deteriorating weather conditions on 8th November, 1971, the 70-foot steel life-boat Grace Paterson Ritchie, stationed at Kirkwall, Orkney, went to the aid of the Danish fishing vessel Clupea which had broken adrift and was aground to the east of Kirkwall pier. Other Danish fishing vessels also broke away and in the end the life-boat also saved the Rosslau, the Anne Stranne, the Kami and a total of 20 fishermen.

The crew of the life-boat assembled by 7.50 a.m. The wind was north, force 10, gusting 12. A very rough sea with a heavy swell was running, and conditions in the harbour near the casualty were exceptionally bad. The pier was awash and, in addition, other Danish fishing boats were pitching alongside in a dangerous manner.

Kirkwall Coastguard and G.R.G. were on the scene and, shortly after the arrival of the lifeboat, a second fishing boat, the Kami, broke adrift. Coastguards using the whips of their breeches buoy equipment succeeded in hauling headropes from the stranded vessels to the pier.

In this way they prevented the vessels from being driven further ashore.

Coxswain R. H. Dennison at first considered that the coastguard would be able to effect the rescue of the stranded crews and kept his crew on stand-by at the pier. However, with the worsening conditions, the life-boat left harbour at 9 a.m. with the initial intention of towing the remaining two moored vessels clear of the pier to a safe position, thus ensuring a clear run for the rescue equipment to the two stranded boats.

In order to overcome language difficulties a Danish seaman was taken aboard the life-boat to act as interpreter. At 9.30 a.m. the life-boatanchored to windward of the Rosslau and floated a messenger rope down. This was retrieved by the crew of the St. Magnus who passed it to the Rosslau. The life-boat's tow rope was then secured to the Rosslau. At this point the casualty cast off from the pier, was towed clear, and hove-to ready to be of assistance to the life-boat.

Staff Coxswain Dcnnison then recovered his hawser and other gear and rcanchored the lifeboat in order to carry out a similar operation with the Anne Stranne. The quay was now clearer, and having ensured that all those remaining on the pier had taken cover, the lifeboat crew fired a rocket line. This line was picked up by the coastguard who in turn passed it to the Anne Stranne.

During the operation of towing the Rosslau clear the moorings of the second vessel parted and she found difficulty in holding her position.

The life-boat's messenger rope and then the tow rope were taken aboard. At 10.50 a.m. the Anne Stranne was towed clear of the pier.

By this time practically all Coastguard equipment was in use holding the stranded vessels from driving further ashore. The lifeboat coxswain decided that the safest method of effecting the rescue of the crews was to tow the boats clear. With the life-boat anchored once again, Staff Coxswain Dennison veered cable until the end of his tow rope could be secured to the end of the line holding the Clupea to the quay. At 11.42 a.m. the Coastguard reported that the connection had been made and the lifeboat started to tow her clear. However, the casualty had no power at all and her steering was damaged. Once clear the Rosslau, which had earlier been pulled to safety, took over the tow to enable the life-boat to assist the Kami.

Staff Coxswain Dennison once again anchored the life-boat and, firing another rocket to the pier, passed his messenger rope and tow line to the Kami. By 12.53 p.m. the Kami was in a position to proceed under her own power.

The four fishing boats were then advised totake shelter at Shapinsay and this they readily agreed to. Once the towing gear had been recovered and stowed the Grace Paterson Ritchie, which is a Clyde class life-boat, returned to Kirkwall, securing alongside at 1.40 p.m.

Although it may be considered that the crews of the four fishing boats could possibly have been taken off from the shore, it would only have been achieved with the utmost difficulty and at a risk of injury and possible loss of life.

The following official observations were made about the service: 'The action taken by Staff Coxswain Dennison and his crew is to be commended.

The highest praise for his seamanship and skill has been voiced by the skippers of the vessels concerned, the Danish authorities, H.M.

Coastguard and all who witnessed the incidents.

Not only did he ensure the safety of 20 lives without loss or injury, but almost certainly prevented the two stranded vessels from becoming total losses and the other two vessels sustaining considerable structural damage.

'This view was shared by the underwriters of the vessels. In their opinion, the life-boat prevented in excess of £100,000 worth of damage and they made a voluntary payment to the funds of the Institution and a further payment to the crew of the life-boat. No salvage claim was made.' For this service Staff Coxswain Dcnnison has been awarded the Institution's bronze medal, and the remainder of the crew medal service certificates..