Tow passed to coaster 400 yards from rock-bound lee shore Kirkwall - Scotland North Division Coxswain Captain William Sinclair, of Kirkwall lifeboat in the Orkneys, has been awarded a bar to his Bronze medal for a service in which the lifeboat saved a 500 ton coaster with her master and chief engineer aboard in a long and very arduous service in gale force winds.

The service was the very last one carried out by Coxswain Sinclair before his retirement.

The other members of the crew, Second Coxswain James Mitchell, Motor Mechanic Dupre Strutt, Assistant Mechanic Robert Mainland and crew members Geoffrey Gardens, Robert Hall and Smith Foubister have all been awarded medal service certificates.

It was at 0718 on 13 September 1988 that Kirkwall's new 52ft Arun Mickie Salvesen, on station for just six weeks, cast off and set out on service at full speed. A 500 ton bulk cement carrier, BC Mercurius had suffered engine failure and was drifting slowly towards the shore, 2.4 miles off Noup Head, on the island of Westray.The lifeboat headed north, negotiating the narrow channels out of Kirkwall in a northerly Force 6 wind, moderate seas and heavy rain squalls which reduced visibility to only a mile at times. In the more open waters of Westray Firth she began to experience a heavy NW swell.

LiftedThe coastguard helicopter based at Sumburgh had already found the casualty and fourcrew members had been lifted off. Only the master and chief engineer remained aboard, hoping to save the ship.

A fishing vessel, Lindiness, was also on the scene and as the wind increased to Force 8, threatening to drive BC Mercurius ashore, the fishing boat set off to help her. However conditions became difficult for her, and when her skipper knew that the lifeboat was approaching he turned back.

In spite of 20ft seas the lifeboat maintained full speed and just after 0900 she arrived at the scene. The 160ft coaster was lying across the sea with her head to the west, rolling heavily and shipping seas across her foredeck and occasionally her forecastle. A team of coastguard auxiliaries had assembled at Noup Head lighthouse as the coaster, about 800 yards offshore, drifted slowly towards them.

Squalls Her master made it clear to the lifeboat coxswain that he wished to be towed clear.

The lifeboat manoeuvred in close to the casualty in the very rough seas and heavy rain squalls to observe her set and drift, ready to take the two men off if necessary.

She appeared to be coming clear of immediate danger and at 0925 the coastguard radioed that they had arranged for a tug.

Less than half-an-hour later the situationhad changed. The coaster was now barely 400 yards off the land and drifting closer.

With the rescue helicopter now refuelling at Kirkwall airport, the lifeboat moved in to take up the tow. Coxswain Captain Sinclair made his approach from ahead, down the coaster's port side and passed a heaving line.

A mooring rope was attached and the tow began. With 200ft of line the coxswain swung the casualty to port into the eye of the wind using minimum engine power. By now the ship was only 300 yards from the shore.

The coxswain, by continually playing his throttles, managed to coax the coaster northward away from danger.

Violent The motion of both lifeboat and casualty was violent and after 15 minutes the tow-line parted at the casualty's fairlead. As she began to drift back towards the shore the lifeboat rapidly retrieved the line and manoeuvred close alongside to take and secure a second line. The lifeboat, by preventing the casualty from drifting downwind towards the shore, allowed the casualty to be carried east with the tide.

Ten minutes elapsed and the tow-line parted again. A longer line was passed this time and as the two vessels moved further from the shore there was a slight improvement in sea conditions.

By 1115 the coaster was 800 yards NW of Our Ness in 80ft of water, and in a position where the coxswain was able to recommend her master to anchor.

At first the anchor failed to hold but 400 yards clear of the land the vessel brought up.

The helicopter was no longer needed but the lifeboat stood by for the next two-and-ahalf hours until the tug arrived. With some difficulty the tow-line was secured and at 0420 the tug and coaster began the tow back to Kirkwall.

The lifeboat took a different route back to pick up the four men from the coaster who had been landed by helicopter at Pierowall and they were transferred back on to the coaster at the north end of Kirkwall Bay.

The lifeboat finally returned to station at 0855..