Six taken off ON A NIGHT of worsening weather, Clyde Coastguard informed the honorary secretary of Islay lifeboat station at 2213 on Sunday September 4, 1983, that the 34ft yacht Hydrovane, on charter, was in trouble in the Sound of Jura.

The yacht had been trying to reach Loch Sween when her steering gear had failed; there were six people on board.

An attempt had been made to anchor off MacCormaig Isle at the entrance to the loch, but a rope had parted andfouled the propeller, and when the anchor was dropped it had started to drag. The yacht was in a confined, rock strewn area and so, when the southwesterly wind rose to gale force 8, gusting to storm force 10, her skipper sent out a MAYDAY distress signal.

May's 50ft Thames lifeboat Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit slipped her moorings at 2230 under the command of Coxswain Donald Boardman. She found the yacht at 0025 on Monday September 5, manoeuvred alongside, took off her crew and had returned to station at Port Askaig by 0405. The lifeboat was back on her moorings and once again ready for service at 0530.

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

Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Coxswain Donald W. Boardman and his crew: Motor Mechanic Archibald Campbell, Emergency Mechanic Iain N. Spears and Crew Members Donald J. McPhee, Donald A. McGillivray and Neil McEachern..