Crew of five rescued ABERDEEN LIFEBOAT, the 52' Bamett Ramsay-Dyce, slipped her moorings at 1854 on Friday, March 12, and headed for Aberdeen Bay, after information had been received from HM Coastguard that MFV Karemma was broken down outside the harbour.

The weather was overcast and clear with a south-easterly wind force 7. Very rough, heavy seas were breaking in Aberdeen Bay and the tide was two hours after low water.

Ramsay-Dyce cleared the harbourbreakwaters at 1858, her engine speeds being adjusted frequently as she felt her way through the seas; throughout the service Acting Coxswain Charles Begg manned the helm and Motor Mechanic Ian Jack manned the engine controls, the whole crew working as a perfect team.

Karemma had no steerage and although she had been using engines astern to try to combat drift she had been driven north and west by the wind and was slowly being driven towards the beach. A tug, Sea Trojan, trying to salvage Karemma, had gone alongside to put a line aboard, but she had rolled and damaged the MFV and the line had parted. When the lifeboat reached the casualty at 1913 the tug was lying off.

By this time Karemma was about four cables due east of the pavilion and heading west. As the lifeboat approached, the MFV crew first asked for a towline to be passed, but agreed to abandon ship when the nearness of the surf was pointed out.

With skilful use of helm and engines the lifeboat went alongside, port side to starboard quarter. Two survivors were quickly taken off before a steep, rolling sea first drove the casualty down on to the lifeboat and then separated the two vessels, filling the wheelhouse of the lifeboat and rushing into the after cabin.

At this time flood tide against wind was steepening the heavy seas and causing the tops to roll, the effect being magnified by the ever-nearing beach.

By skilful manoeuvring Ramsay-Dyce was again brought alongside Karemma in the same position as before, a rope was passed from the casualty and made fast to the lifeboat's bow and two more survivors taken off. Once again a sea forced Karemma down on to Ramsay- Dyce before rolling her away, breaking the rope and separating the two boats.

The lifeboat was brought alongside a third time; the fifth and last survivor was taken aboard and Ramsay-Dyce thencleared astern. It was 1930 and Karemma was about three cables east of the dance hall.

Ramsay-Dyce headed south and east to gain sea room before streaming her drogue to re-enter harbour through the very confused cross sea and swell. She berthed at her mooring with all five survivors aboard at 2010 after what was to be her last service at Aberdeen before being replaced on station by the 54' Arun lifeboat BP Forties.

For this service, carried out quickly and efficiently with great courage, the bronze medal for gallantry was awarded • to Second Coxswain Charles Begg. The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were awarded to Motor Mechanic Ian Jack and medal service certificates were presented to Assistant Mechanic George Walker and Crew Members William Cowper, Andrew Walker and Francis Cruickshank..