Stranded fishing vessel GALE FORCE southerly winds were blowing and heavy seas breaking in the bay when, on the evening of Monday November 26,1984, the honorary secretary of Kirkcudbright lifeboat station was informed by Ramsey coastguard that a fishing boat was stranded on Kirkcudbright bar and needed immediate assistance.

Maroons were fired at 2148, the crew mustered at the harbour and, at 2205, the station's 37ft Oakley class lifeboat, Mary Pullman, launched from the slipway with Acting Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Unsworth at the helm. Spray was affecting visibility as the lifeboat headed south south west at full speed to clear the river. Communications were established by VHP radio telephone with Ramsey coastguard who confirmed the fishing boat's position as "in Kirkcudbright Channel". A sharp visual and radar watch was set.

Passage towards the bar was rough with six foot breaking seas, visibility and radar response was limited and nothing was sighted in the river. At 2210 the lifeboat cleared the bar and the coxswain headed west to search the seaward side of Milton Sands. Twominutes later Crew Member Colin Mathieson, on lookout, caught sight of the casualty lying aground on her starboard side and surrounded by breaking seas. As Acting Coxswain Unsworth circled the fishing boat, Leon Jeannine, to inspect the conditions, three people could be seen at her forward end. They were instructed to move to the stern of their vessel.

The weather was still poor with rough breaking seas in the area as the lifeboat headed south to approach the casualty.

Acting Second Coxswain David Henry and Crew Members Edward Eccles and Colin Marshall went forward to be ready to pick off the survivors as the lifeboat passed the stern of the fishing boat. Unfortunately the three fishermen froze at the critical moment and would not leave the wreck.

A second run in was made and this time the lifeboat's foredeck crew grabbed a survivor each and pulled him aboard. The lifeboat headed south to clear the bank before turning to cross the bar once more.

The lifeboat returned to station at 2230 and at 2239 was back on her slipway and the three survivors were landed. Their fishing boat later sank.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were awarded to Acting Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Unsworth. Vellum service certificates were awarded to Acting Second Coxswain David J. Henry, Assistant Mechanic William McKie and crew members Edward Eccles, Alexander McHenry, Colin G. Marshall, Colin Mathieson, Gavin S. Scott and Robert Thomson..