from page 12 were sent to Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic Anthony G. Hawkins, Second Assistant Mechanic Roy W.

Couzens and Crew Members John J.

Smith, David Williams, Geoffrey I.

Buckland and Ernest S. Watson.

North Western Division Icelandic trawler AT 0430 ON MONDAY December 12, 1979, HM Coastguard informed the honorary secretary of Fleetwood lifeboat station that MV Gavina of Fleetwood was trying to take in tow an Icelandic trawler, Olafur Gisli, west of Shell Wharf. The trawler, with a crew of eight, had been bound for Iceland in ballast but had had to put back with steering gear trouble. She was in danger of being driven into shoal water and Gavina had asked for lifeboat assistance.

Gale force winds rising to strong gale, force 9, were blowing from west south west and the seas were very high.

It was high water. Although the morning was cloudy, visibility was good.

Fleetwood's 44ft Waveney lifeboat Lady of Lancashire slipped her mooring at 0438 under the command of Coxswain David Scott and was standing by the two vessels by 0540.

Despite the severe wind and seas Gavina was handled extremely well and a tow was passed. It broke twice and the lifeboat spread wave reducing oil so that Gavina could get close enough to heave a line. Lady of Lancashire then escorted the two boats back to Fleetwood, helping by putting a line on Olafur Gisli's stern when making the turn to starboard at Wyre Channel.

The service was completed and the lifeboat back on her moorings by 1100.

Western Division Two launches THE MUMBLES LIFEBOAT, the 47ft Watson Pentland (Civil Service No. 31) launched twice in the storms of August 14, 1979. The first launch, at 0735, was to stand by while the tug Hendon brought a yacht manned by two people through the very heavy seas into the safety of the River Tawe. The lifeboat was rehoused by 0950.

The second launch was at 1103, by which time the westerly winds had reached hurricane force. A cabin cruiser towing a yacht had been reported off Newton Beach, Porthcawl.

A search was made but nothing could be found and it was thought that the informant had in fact seen a tanker, hull down, with high bow and stern.

The lifeboat was again rehoused and ready for service by 1730..