Cadets and yachtsmen saved by Arun's Y-boat Force 5 onshore winds made life difficult for the crew of Troon's Arun City of Glasgow III when they had to launch their Y-boat twice during July to take survivors off a lee shore.

The first launch was on 14 July 1988 when ten people were rescued from a launch on loan to Ayr Sea Cadet Corps, and the second rescue was on 29 July when five sailors were taken off a Belgian yacht.The two men who crewed the inflatable on the first occasion, David Seaward and Stephen Aspin have received letters of thanks from the chief of operations for their part in the service, and David Seaward and Andrew McCormick have also been praised by the honorary secretary for their work in 'broken water and arduous conditions' during the second rescue.

Ashore It was 2147 on 14 July when the coastguard first reported that a 30ft vessel with members of Ayr Sea Cadets on board was ashore just south of Ayr harbour. A 6ft to 8ft sea was running and a pilot launch which was standing by at the scene could not approach as there was insufficient water around the casualty.

The lifeboat left on service at 2154 and was at the scene by 2215, when the Y-boat was launched to enter the shallow water andbroken surf around the MoD vessel, which was on loan to the Cadets. She was aground, but her anchor was holding and keeping her from being driven further ashore.

The Y-boat had to enter very turbulent surf over rocks on a lee shore, come alongside the casualty and ferry seven children - all girls of 14 or under - and one adult back to the lifeboat, a task which was achieved skilfully and without any injuries.

It was discovered that there had been more people aboard the casualty, but that four of them, three children and an adult, had inadvisably swum ashore before the lifeboat arrived.

A crew member was left on board thecasualty, with two remaining adults, while dry of Glasgow HI ferried the seven girls and one adult the short distance to Ayr Harbour.

The girls were cold, wet and frightened, but otherwise unharmed.

With the survivors safely ashore the lifeboat returned to the scene, where the Y-boat and pilot launch had been standing by. The inflatable passed a towline at 2249, but the casualty's anchor could not be broken out and eventually the chain had to be cut with bolt croppers from the lifeboat's 'crash kit'.

The launch was finally towed to Ayr and berthed safely at 2310, but City of Glasgow did not leave until almost 2400, reaching her station at 0030. By 0045 she was refuelled and ready for service again.

Shallow.