Dinghy capsize A LIFEBOATMAN, John Strachan, who is skipper of a ferry running from Largs Pier to Cumbrae, and Matthew Ramsay and Donald McMillan, skippers of fishing vessels Sea Nymph and Mhari Bhan, who were mooring their boats at Largs Pier, heard shouts at about 1755 on Wednesday October 7, 1981, and saw that an 8ft dinghy had capsized between the pier and the lifeboat slipway;slipway; the dinghy had just left the 30ft motor vessel Sea Witch which was moored about 150 metres from the shore. It was a squally afternoon with a fresh to strong breeze, force 5 to 6, blowing from north west. The sea was rough.

The skippers of the two fishing vessels immediately put to sea while John Strachan and another lifeboatman, Henry Crawford, ran to Largs lifeboathouse and fired the maroons. The station honorary secretary arrived and within minutes the Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat was launched manned by Helmsman Henry Crawford and Crew Members John Strachan, Ronald Forrest and Alan Currie.

The Atlantic 21 had reached the area by 1802 and one man was rescued almost immediately with help from Mhari Bhan. Another man was clinging to the rudder of a moored boat; the lifeboat could not get close enough to grab him, so Crew Member Strachan, seeing that the man was exhausted, immediately jumped into the water with a lifeline and supported him until they were both picked up by the lifeboat.

The two survivors were landed on the beach, but John Strachan, although wet and cold, remained aboard the lifeboat until the end of the service.

A third survivor was picked up by Sea Nymph and the Atlantic 21 took this man aboard and landed him on the beach. A doctor and ambulance were standing by and all three survivors were taken to hospital.

There had been a fourth man in the capsized dinghy but nothing had been seen of him. The Atlantic 21 returned to the area to search together with MFVS Mhari Bhan, Sea Nymph and Girl Jean and pilot cutter Ganstock. A helicopter, scrambled from HMS Gannett at 1829, arrived overhead at 1856; Ardrossan Coastguard mobile arrived at 1843 and organised shore parties; the fire service arrived at 1915 and set up lights on the beach; Largs Pier staff and many others were helping. Despite a thorough search from sea, air and land, however, no sign could be found of the missing man and at 2022 all services were stood down and the search called off.

The Atlantic 21 returned to station at 2025. Throughout the service Helmsman Crawford had had some difficulty in manoeuvring in the rough weather as the port engine of the lifeboat had seized on launching because of gearbox failure. On the lifeboat's return, Fleet Mechanic George Miller fitted a new gearbox and tested it. The lifeboat was then refuelled, washed down and rehoused.

For this service a letter of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J.

Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Crew Member John Strachan. In another letter, addressed to Mr J. Duffield, Largs honorary secretary. Admiral Graham expressed the Institution's appreciation to Helmsman Henry Crawford and Crew Members RonaldForrest and Alan Currie and all members of the team who had helped in the search.

The next day, Thursday October 8, the Atlantic 21 launched again at 0800 manned by Helmsman Henry Crawford and Crew Members Colin Grant and William Anderson; they took out Crew Members John Strachan and Stewart Smith, both of whom are qualified divers, with their diving equipment.

The body of the missing man was found and recovered. The lifeboat returned to station at 0910 and was rehoused at 0915..