Force 11 gusting12 HEARING FROM Fishguard Coastguard at 2200 on Monday, January 13, that Michael of Famagusta, whose engine had broken down, was drifting about 18 miles off the entrance to Waterford, Dunmore East honorary secretary gave instructions for the maroons to be fired.

As the crew were assembling a new position for the casualty was received: 11 miles 115°T from Mine Head.

Euphrosyne Kendal, a 52' Barnett lifeboat, slipped her moorings and cleared harbour at 2220.

The weather was extremely bad: wind south south west force 11 gusting 12— visibility about half a mile in rain and otherwise 3 to 4 miles but, with a low height of eye, much reduced by spray.

It was four hours after high water and the wind against the strong ebb resulted in a very heavy short steep sea off theHook. The height was estimated at 16-18', which forced the lifeboat to reduce speed drastically.

A course of 205°M was set for the last reported position of Michael. Later reports of her position were received from the German vessel Bell Venture.

At 2345 the lifeboat made contact with Michael on RT and the master was asked to fire a flare. The lifeboat sighted the flare at 2355 and the coaster's lights 15 minutes later; she then fired a flare which Michael acknowledged by RT.

At 0030 the lifeboat came up with Michael and twelve minutes later a message was passed to Coningbeg Light Vessel for Fishguard Coastguard reporting that the lifeboat was approaching the casualty and preparation was being made to pick up the crew.

Michaelmas lying stopped in the water with a list to port 6 miles off Tramore, drifting ashore at about 3 knots. Her ship's head was about 090°T and she was rolling and pitching heavily. The wind was still south south west force 11 gusting 12, but the sea was more regular than it had been off the Hook, with a long swell and heavy sea. The tide was setting westerly but weakly.

After approaching the casualty from the east the lifeboat turned and lay astern for about 20 minutes, then to the port side, astern again and finally ahead. By this time it was about 0145 and Coxswain Stephen Whittle asked the master of Michael for his intentions, and whether the crew were going to abandon ship; she was drifting at about 3 knots towards a dangerous coast, and to try to make contact direct would have been extremely difficult in the prevailing conditions.

The master of Michael decided to abandon ship. He was instructed to make sure that his crew were warmly dressed and wearing lifejackets before taking to the liferaft. When in the liferaft they were to veer down from Michael on a light line and would be picked up by the lifeboat. This the master agreed to do.

The liferaft was launched from the port quarter and secured alongside head and stern. It was about 0200 and the lifeboat had moved to a position about one cable off the port side of Michael, illuminating the liferaft with her searchlight.

Each of the crew was counted into the liferaft.

There was now a delay of some 15-20 minutes during which time the lifeboat crew discovered by signs that there was no knife in the liferaft. Coxswain Whittle was just going to attempt to go alongside when the master found a small pair of scissors and the painter was successfully cut.

As the lifcraft was swept rapidly to leeward Coxswain Whittle manoeuvred the lifeboat to take the raft amidships on the starboard side. The crew of the lifeboat held the raft, the lifeboat went slow astern to keep the raft against her side, and in about five minutes allseven members of Michael's crew had been helped on board.

Owing to the extremely bad conditions the liferaft had to be abandoned, and at 0220 the lifeboat started her return passage to Dunmore East, keeping about three miles off the coast by radar. At 0445 she entered Dunmore East, landing the survivors at about 0500. Michael subsequently went ashore at Tramore beach, probably at about 0600.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain Stephen Whittle.

Vellum service certificates were presented to Second Coxswain John Walsh, Motor Mechanic John Curtin, Assistant Mechanic Sean Kearns and Crew Members Brendan Glody, Joseph Murphy and John R. Tod..