Barra Island: At 0812 on Saturday July 21, 1984, Barra Island's 48ft 6in Solent class lifeboat, Hugh William Viscount Gough, was launched under the command of Coxswain/Mechanic John Macneil, following a MAYDAY from the survey ship Geotek Alpha which was on fire and in need of immediate assistance, having lost all power. The weather was good and the sea calm when the lifeboat arrived at the casualty at about 0900. The fore end of the ship was ablaze and her captain soon ordered his entire crew to abandon ship with the exception of himself, two deck officers and two engineers. The lifeboat tied alongside Geotek Alpha's boat deck and 15 men were taken aboard. The lifeboat then stood off until about midday when, the fire having spread, smoke began to fill the casualty's wheelhouse. The remaining five men aboard moved to the after deck and signalled to the lifeboat that they wished to come off. Coxswain Macneil brought the lifeboat alongside, took the men off and transferred them to a fishing vessel, Daisy Christiana, which was standing by. They decided to stay aboard the fishing vessel till evening to see if the fire would subside; meanwhile the lifeboat returned to Barra Island and is pictured here landing the remaining 15 crew members at Castlebay. (The photograph on the cover shows Barra Island lifeboat at the scene of the rescue.) photograph by courtesy of Reg Allan.