Quick response ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1983, Alexander Strutt, motor mechanic of Kirkwall's 70ft Clyde lifeboat, saw a single-handed dinghy capsize. Although her helmsman could right his boat, he could not keep her upright; a southerly near gale, force 7, was blowing and the sea was moderate.

After watching for a few minutes Alexander Strutt decided the dinghy sailor needed help quickly. He launchedthe inflatable dinghy carried by the Clyde lifeboat and, with William Swanay and his son Dupre as crew, took the sailing dinghy in tow and brought her and her helmsman ashore.

For this service, a letter of appreciation signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, was sent to Motor Mechanic Alexander Strutt..