Overdue BELFAST COASTGUARD informed the honorary secretary of Portaferry lifeboat station at 1815 on Sunday December 19, 1982, that the yacht Frieda, on passage in Strangford Lough betweeen Killyleagh and Ringshaddy, had been reported overdue. The lifeboat was asked to stand by and several crew members assembled at the boathouse while local enquiries were made. The station honorary secretary and senior helmsman discussed the matter and decided to launch. The weather was considered and a search route planned northwards from Killyleagh which would make use of all available shelter. Meanwhile it was learnt that a yacht from Ringshaddy was searching southwards towards Killyleagh.

The weather was poor with a strong breeze, force 6, blowing from the south west and a moderate sea running. It was, of course, dark but visibility was good. Low water was at 2140.After informing Belfast Coastguard of the situation, Portaferry's 17ft 6in Zodiac Mk IV D class inflatable lifeboat launched on service at 1841 manned by Helmsman John Rogers and Crew Members William Ellison and Francis Rogers.

On clearing the slipway Helmsman Rogers first headed along the southern shore, to keep in the lee, before making for Killyleagh to search the mooring and confirm that Frieda had not returned.

He then headed north to search Holm Bay. Dunnyneill Island and, continuing northwards, the pladdies, or shoals, by Island Taggart, Brown Rock and Pawle Island were searched using a searchlight and firing an occasional white parachute flare. All this time the south west breeze was freshening, with gusts up to gale force.

At about 1950 the lifeboat's searchlight picked up the 35ft yacht Frieda on the west side of Janes Rock, at the north end. She was wedged upright with her keel between two rocks, stranded by the falling tide.

Helmsman Rogers reported to Belfast Coastguard by VHP radio and at 1954 a helicopter arrived overhead to provide illumination. By now a force 8 gale was blowing from the south west with gusts up to storm force; visibility was becoming affected by spray. As it was too dangerous to land near the yacht, Helmsman Rogers turned back to a more sheltered gully on the east side of the pladdy and landed. Crew Member Francis Rogers was sent to investigate.

Frieda's owner was found aboard but he reported that his uncle had been swept away in the dinghy after trying to lay a kedge anchor. After reporting to the Coastguard the lifeboat laid an anchor from the yacht. At 2030 the helicopter was withdrawn because of the severe weather. The Coastguard was asked to arrange a relief crew for the lifeboat at Ringshaddy, on the west shore of the lough, but, concerned for the missing yachtsman, the duty coastguard asked the lifeboat to search downwind towards Kircubbin on the east shore of the lough, where a relief crew would be arranged. The yacht's owner was helped into a lifejacket and taken aboard. The crew pushed off and Helmsman Rogers cleared Janes Rock at 2115, setting course for Bird Island Passage.

The wind was now almost continuous storm force 10 and the seas so high that the lifeboat was both hidden and sheltered in the troughs. Visibility was severely affected and Helmsman Rogers had to navigate with extreme caution using his extensive local knowledge of the area, his experience and his wits to make safe progress; the lifeboat was continuously awash. The crew kept lookout and used parachute flares to find Bird Island Passage and help the helmsman to negotiate it.

The lifeboat arrived off Kircubbin at 2145 but, as it was found too dangerousto make a landing at the harbour, the relief crew were asked to illuminate Kircubbin Sailing Club slipway. The lifeboat stood off to await their arrival at the club.

The shore party, including a Coastguard mobile, reached the slip and illuminated it at about 2200, when the lifeboat was landed and recovered. The yachtsman was landed into the care of the Coastguard.

The missing man was recovered safely the next morning from Dunsy Island, on which he had managed to land; he had sheltered under his dinghy through the night.

The lifeboat was taken back to Portaferry by road and was refuelled and made ready for further service at 2300.

For this service the bronze medal was awarded to Helmsman John D. Rogers and the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Crew Members William Ellison and Francis Rogers..