Quick help IN A MODERATE TO FRESH north-westerly breeze on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 19, the owner of the yacht Chica was thrown into the sea just opposite Campbeltown Old Quay when his inflatable dinghy capsized. His wife threw a lifeline, but when it failed to reach him she sound the yacht's fog horn and set off a distress flare, attracting the attention of Duncan McCallum.

Mr McCallum, who before his retirement had been motor mechanic of Campbeltown lifeboat for 39 years, immediately made for the scene of the accident, single handed, in a fast motorboat.

He found the man, exhausted,floating in the sea, and with the help of a crew member from a nearby yacht, got him aboard the motorboat and helped him back aboard the yacht.

A yachting instructor who saw the rescue described it as 'an excellent piece of seamanship carried out with great calm and efficiency'.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, was sent to Duncan McCallum, BEM, former motor mechanic of Campbeltown lifeboat..