HEARING FROM the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Shannon at 2106 on January 16 that Jadestar Glory was ashore, possibly on Roney Rock, the honorary secretary Arklow alerted the crew while trying to get further information.

Fishguard Coastguard confirmed that the fishing vessel was ashore at Roney Point and advised launch; and MRCC Shannon confirmed the position and reported that there were three trawlers in the area which were unable to approach because of the banks. Maroons were fired at 2128 and at 2140 the lifeboat cleared Arklow Harbour.

At about 2100 the No. 1 man, Cahore Coast Life-Saving Service (CLSS), James Kavanagh, saw from his livingroom window the lights of a boat very close inshore passing just clear of Polduff Pier. He was watching her when she grounded about half a mile north of the pier. The boat, later identified asJadestar Glory, fired distress rockets to which James Kavanagh replied. The Cahore CLSS was mustered, gear made ready for a rescue by breeches buoy, and the honorary secretary Arklow informed.

At 2140 when the lifeboat cleared the harbour the wind was north west force 7 to 8, there was broken cloud, good visibility and it was 1J hours after low water. The sea on the bar was extremely rough as the wind during the whole day had been south to south east force 10 to 11 before veering to north west at about 1700 and moderating slightly.

Once clear of the bar the lifeboat turned to run south down the coast passing inside Glassgorman Banks.

When clear of the banks the height of the swell was estimated as 15', but when passing inside the bank it would have been considerably more. All the crew were bruised and Motor Mechanic Christopher Gaffney, who was in the forward cabin, was thrown against the deckhead, bruising his head. Even Coxswain Michael O'Brien admitted that 'the boat had a real pounding'.

At 2222 the Garda, Courtown, relayed a message from Cahore CLSS that the crew of Jadestar Glory had abandoned ship and the rafts were 400 yards off Cahore Point. At 2245 the lifeboat, one mile south of No. 3 Glassgorman Buoy, had altered course for the search area south east of Cahore Point, when Arklow Lightvessel reported the liferafts one mile south of the point drifting south.

At 2324 the lifeboat reported her position as one mile north east of Cahore Point and was informed by Tuskar Rock that the last knownposition of the liferaft was half a mile south of the wreck off Cahore Point.

The lifeboat started to search using parachute flares and at 2348 sighted a dim white light one mile east of the point, which proved to be from one of the two liferafts.

Three men were picked up from this raft without difficulty, and it was learnt that the second raft had capsized on launching and the other three men were clinging to it. The second raft was easily found about half a mile upwind of the first by the light of more parachute flares.

The lifeboat immediately went alongside and the last three survivors were recovered. It was very difficult to get them on board as they were completely exhausted and very heavy.

On 0135 on January 17 the lifeboat returned to Arklow and all survivors were landed into the care of the doctor.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain Michael O'Brien.

Vellum service certificates were presented to Acting Second Coxswain John White, Motor Mechanic Christopher Gaffney, Assistant Mechanic Michael Fitzgerald and Crew Members James Lambert, Paul O'Neill and Peter Heaney..