Drifting on rocks ST ANN'S COASTGUARD informed the honorary secretary of St David's lifeboat station at 1138 on Saturday March 11 that MFV 7, on passage from Fishguard to Pembroke, had engine failure west of St David's Head.

Another vessel, St Aidan, was five miles west of the head and standing by.

St David's lifeboat, the 47ft Watson Joseph Soar (Civil Service No. 34), was placed on alert.

At 1220 the honorary secretary, hearing that MFV 7 had asked for immediate assistance as she was in danger of drifting on to the rocks of Carreg-trai, authorised the maroons to be fired and ten minutes later the lifeboat launched and set out at full speed.

There was a gentle to moderate breeze, force 3 to 4, blowing from north north east, a moderate sea and visibility of three miles. It was l'/2 hours before low water springs.

Coxswain William Morris decided to go north of Ramsey Island. It meant driving against the 6 to 7 knot stream until clear of Trwyn Sion Owen, but he knew the casualty was being carried south on a strong spring ebb and that she stood little chance of clearing through the Bishops and Clerks, a group of islets and rocks, without being wrecked. When north of Trwyn Ogof Hen Head, he sighted MFV 7 drifting rapidly south and heading for Daufraich.

An interception course was set and the lifeboat came up with the fishing vessel about half a mile north of Moelyn Rock, in heavy overfalls. The sea was now about ten feet, breaking and confused.

The fishing vessel was lying beam to sea, bow east, and presenting to the coxswain the problem of Moelyn and Gribog rocks. Moelyn was showing but Gribog was still covered. Coxswain Morris decided to run down on the casualty and get a tow line across, keeping clear of Gribog. The drift rate and the nearness of rocks prevented the use of the line throwing gun. The first attempt to get a line across failed, but on the second run it was passed successfully.

In the overfalls the sea was breakinginboard on to the crew who were at times up to their waists in water, making work on deck difficult. While making fast the tow, the lifeboat was thrown sideways by the confused seas on to the bow of MFV 7 and both boats were damaged. The lifeboat split her rubber strake and crushed a small amount of timber just below her anchor stowage. MFV 7 received damage to her bow.

Coxswain Morris, very aware of the danger posed by Gribog, tried to tow the casualty north but could not move her. The lifeboat was to the north of MFV 7, bows north east, while the casualty's bow was north west; she could possibly have been on the edge of Gribog at this time. A calculated risk was taken and Coxswain Morris turned about 300 degrees to port, pulling the bow of MFV 7 round, hoping she would drift clear of Gribog, and headed south west out of the overfalls.

A south-east course was then set for St Brides Bay, keeping clear of the heavy overfalls off Meini Duon. The steering on MFV 7 was broken with the rudder appearing to be set to starboard.

This made towing difficult, and Coxswain Morris kept down to half speed until MFV 7 had repaired her steering; speed was then increased to threequarter throttle and Coxswain Morris headed south to meet the fleet tender Grassmere for transfer of tow. The tow was uneventful except during passage through Wild Goose Race off Skokholm Island. This race had to benegotiated because of the strong spring ebb still running, which at that point swings out to sea well clear of Milford Haven. Having passed through the race, MFV 7 once again suffered steering gear failure and speed was reduced.

At 1528 the tow was transferred to Grassmere, one mile south of Skokholm Island. During the return to station visibility reduced to half a mile and the lifeboat arrived back at St David's at 1710. She was once again ready for service at 1750.

A rescue helicopter from RAF Brawdy was on scene during the service.

For this service the bronze medal for gallantry was awarded to Coxswain William T. Morris and medal service certificates were awarded to Acting Second Coxswain Idwal J. Chapman, Acting Motor Mechanic Basil J.

Davies, Acting Assistant Mechanic Colin G. Mills and Crew Members Jack Phillips, William G. Davies and Terence K. Williams..