Called out twice FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987, found Scotland's Banffshire coast in the grip of force 6-7 east-south-easterly winds and rough seas, with overcast skies and rain squalls adding to the wintry scene.

At 1939 the station honorary secretary at Buckle, Mr John Fowlie, in response to his pager signal, telephoned HM Coastguard MRSC in Peterhead and was asked to launch the station's 52ft Arun class lifeboat Charles Brown to the aid of the auxiliary yacht. Samphire which had suffered sail damage in the heavy weather.

The yacht's approximate position was given as 20 miles north of Macduff.

Mr Fowlie was already at the boathouse, in discussion with Coxswain John Murray and other key crew members and was, therefore, able to reply that Charles Brown would launch immediately.

The lifeboat slipped her moorings at 1943 and, having cleared Buckie Harbour, steamed to one mile clear of land to be able to receive a VHP signal from the Samphire, so that a course could be obtained from the DF equipment.

The casualty's position was fixed at four miles north of Troup Head. Her skipper had been instructed by the coastguard earlier to proceed southwards with caution and Coxswain Murray set his course to intercept the yacht.

The strong winds, gusting above 40 knots, were causing a swell of 30 feet at times and the tide was one hour after high water neaps, giving a 0.8 knot set to the east. Between rain squalls maximum visibility was one mile, but the motion of the lifeboat, with heavy driving spray, was making the task of the lookouts difficult. Coxswain Murray therefore reduced speed to 10 knots as he approached the search area, detecting the Samphire by radar at three miles range and seeing her at a mile, on a southerly heading under reduced sail.

The lifeboat went close alongside at2120 and established that the three occupants were all right. The yacht's engine was started, the sails were stowed and the Charles Brown escorted her to Macduff Harbour, at about six knots, arriving at 2200.

When assured that all was well aboard the Samphire, the lifeboat sailed for her station at 2220, arriving at 2330.

Two hours later, the Charles Brown was at sea again, this time to go to the aid of the 50ft Swedish topsail schooner Monsoon of Ekero, reportedly broken down five miles north east of Portknockie.

The sky remained overcast and visibility was again limited to one mile between rain squalls. The easterly wind, force 6-7, showed no signs of abating and the sea state continued to be rough with a pronounced swell.

An hour after low water neaps the tide was flowing from the east at less than one knot. On clearing the harbour Coxswain Murray set course at full speed for the casualty's reported position.

The yacht was called on VHP radio, but her reply was weak and broken and no DF bearing could be obtained.

On reaching the datum position a search was carried out, but nothing was found.

Moray MRSC was asked to relay to the Monsoon that the lifeboat was about to fire off a white paraflare. Coxswain Murray asked the yacht to look for it and take a bearing.

When the casualty reported no sighting, the coxswain stopped the Charles Brown and obtained the best VHF/DF bearing he could get. The bearing indicated that the Monsoon was between west and west north west of the lifeboat and the coxswain set a course of 280° at full speed, informing the MRSC of his actions.

The coxswain then asked Moray MRSC for their best DF bearing of the casualty and crossed this with his own to give an approximate position of six miles north of Burghead. Another bearing from the coastguard aerial at Thrumston confirmed the approximate position of the Monsoon.

The casualty was detected by radar at three miles range and seen at one mile.

She was seven miles north west ofBurghead, with her anchor down, at full scope, in approximately 100 feet of water and dragging.

She had only a small scrap of sail hoisted (it was learned later that she had suffered rigging failure). Her engine was unusable and she was pitching heavily in the rough seas and heavy swell, burying her long bowsprit.

At 0316, as the Charles Brown approached the yacht, her anchor line was cut free. Coxswain Murray learned that the four occupants were not injured and did not want to transfer. A towlinewas passed from the lifeboat and. after some initial diffieulty by the yachtsmen in securing it, was taken up at dead slow speed.

The sheering of the yacht in the heavy weather made progress slow, despite the use of a long line. Moray Coastguard reported the wind speed as force 9, but the coxswain estimated it as only force 8 as he progressed at idling speed towards the land, on a course of 140°.

Within one mile of the land some letwas experienced and the coxswain now had the benefit of daylight. The towline was progressively shortened as the Charles Brown approached Burghead from the south west.

Near the entrance the swell, following the contour of the headland, caused the lifeboat and her tow to sheer violently, but once this had been negotiated safely the yacht was secured alongside at 0549.

After a hot drink and having ensured that the survivors were not in need of further aid, Charles Brown sailed from Burghead at 0615, arriving at Buckie at 0725. She was moored, refuelled and ready for service ten minutes later.

Following this service, in recognition of the teamwork and dedication displayed by Coxswain Murray and his crew during these two arduous services, a framed letter of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, has been presented to Coxswain John Murray, Acting Second Coxswain Kenneth Farquhar, Mechanic George Stewart and Crew Members Phillip Latchem, Gordon Lawtie and Steven Matheson..