Yacht aground WHILE A RACE FROM ABERSOCH Was being timed into Howth Harbour at about 2330 on Saturday, August 28, 1976, the yacht Sulabassana of Holyhead, a 32' Nicholson, attempted to pass inside the buoys marking the rocks off the end of Howth East Pier and grounded heavily.

Mr Boyle at the lighthouse immediately informed Frank Hendy, who is the boatman of Howth Yacht Club and retired motor mechanic of the Howth lifeboat. The honorary secretary of the lifeboat station was also informed.

Frank Hendy, who was in bed, dressed immediately, and taking Tony Brown who was on the pier and who, as his father owns a 32' Nicholson, is familiar with the design and her gear, went out in Howth YC 18' clinker-built launch to help.

The weather was fine with good visibility but a strong breeze, force 6, was blowing from the east giving a very heavy and confused sea on the rocks at the end of the east pier. It was two hours before high water.

Frank Hendy took the launch close in along the east pier, turning to starboard as soon as he was clear of the rocks at its end. He went alongside the starboard side of Sulabassana, starboard side to, and Tony Brown jumped aboard the yacht. Frank Hendy then told Tony Brown to hoist the sails, which the crew had got in, and bring the sheets right aft to lay the boat over and reduce her draught. The yacht was bumping badly on the rocks and the launch touched the rocks hard two or three times with both her hull and outboard.

The launch then took a line from theyacht to try to tow her clear. Once her sails were hoisted and sheeted in, the yacht, lifted by seas which were increasing as the east-going tide started, began to move. Towed by the launch she finally came clear. Tony Brown immediately lowered the sails and Frank Hendy towed the yacht into the harbour and up to shallow water at its head; he thought the yacht would probably have been damaged and might sink. In fact practically no damage was done.

During the few minutes this service took, the lifeboat crew were being assembled, but by the time they reached the boathouse the yacht was off the rocks and in harbour.

For this service the bronze medal for gallantry was awarded to Frank Hendy and the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Tony Brown..