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 indanger 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..