Injured seaman THE HONORARY SECRETARY of Dun Laoghaire lifeboat station was asked at 1600 on Tuesday October 14, 1980, if an injured seaman could be taken off the Norwegian bulk carrier Blix. A rendezvous was arranged for midnight in Dublin Bay.

The crew and the honorary medical adviser, Dr Niall Webb, assembled at 2330 and a quarter of an hour later Dun Laoghaire's 44ft Waveney lifeboat John F. Kennedy launched on service under the command of Coxswain/ Mechanic Eric Offer.

The night was overcast and blustery with a strong breeze, force 6, blowing from the east. The sea was rough and a heavy easterly swell was running in Dublin Bay. It was one hour after low water.

The lifeboat headed for the rendezvous position four miles east of Dun Laoghaire Harbour and- Coxswain Offer kept in radio communication with Dublin Port Radio to receive the carrier's amended ETAS. Blix finally anchored off Burford Bank, close to Burford Buoy, shortly before 0200 on Wednesday October 15 and lay head to wind.

With a fresh to strong breeze nowblowing from east north east and heavy swell, estimated to reach 19 to 20 feet at times, manoeuvering alongside proved very difficult. After a careful assessment of the conditions Coxswain Offer asked that a pilot ladder be lowered over Blix's starboard quarter and briefed his crew and Dr Webb on the transfer. The lifeboat was then brought alongside and Dr Webb jumped from the bow on to the pilot ladder. It was a long climb of more than 30 feet to Blix's deck, made more arduous for Dr Webb by the fact that he was himself recovering from a leg injury.

The injured seaman, suffering from a fractured leg and rib, was tended by Dr Webb and then secured in a Neil Robertson stretcher. At 0235 he was transferred to the lifeboat and, under the supervision of Second Coxswain Joseph Lawless, taken down into the after cabin.

The lifeboat returned for Dr Webb, but conditions were extremely difficult.

After several unsuccessful attempts to take him off the doctor had to jump on to the lifeboat on the instructions of the second coxswain.

At 0245 the lifeboat started back for Dun Laoghaire and an ambulance met her on her return at 0305. The injured seaman was taken to St Vincent's Hospital and the lifeboat was refuelled and back on her moorings by 0325.

For this service a special doctor's vellum was accorded to Dr Niall L.

Webb, honorary medical adviser, Dun Laoghaire, and a letter of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Coxswain Eric Offer and his crew..