Coaster on fire A TELEPHONE CALL from Belfast Pilot Station to HM Coastguard at 1300 on Tuesday April 10 reported a fire aboard the Finnish coaster Inio of Helsinki about a mile and a half north east of Mew Island. A firefighting tug, Coleraine, had been alerted and was on her way and MFV Boy James was standing by. No radio contact could be made with the casualty.

It was established from Belfast harbour authorities that Inio, with a half cargo of timber and paper, was on passage from Belfast to Dublin. Boy James reported that the crew were fighting the fire with buckets of water, but it appeared to be spreading and Inio had complete power failure. MV Citrran was now also standing by.

At 1335 Donaghadee lifeboat stationwas alerted and the 46ft 9in Watson relief lifeboat Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will, on temporary duty at Donaghadee, slipped her moorings at 1345. The weather was fair with a north-easterly gentle breeze, a moderate to choppy sea and poor visibility.

The lifeboat arrived alongside Inio at 1415, took off 19 members of her crew, including three women, and returned to Donaghadee to put them ashore. She then returned to stand by the casualty.

Five officers had remained on board Inio. A naval patrol had been asked to assume the duties of on scene commander, a helicopter was standing by and a naval firefighting crew was helping the civilian firemen to fight the fire.

At 1720 it was reported that the fire was out and tugs took/wo in tow to the shelter of Belfast Lough. Donaghadee lifeboat returned to her moorings and was once again ready for service at 1830.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by John Atterton, acting director of the Institution, was sent to William Lennon, the skipper of MFV Boy James. The Institution's appreciation was also conveyed to Coxswain James Bunting of Donaghadee lifeboat and his crew and to Coastguard Officer P. Ridley who, at Donaghadee, met the rescued crew, none of whom could speak English, and being able to talk to them in German, explained to them that they would be taken to the Mission to Seamen in Belfast..