Crabber swamped in Force 12 windsCoxswain/Mechanic Malcolm MacDonald of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, has been awarded the Institution's Bronze medal for a service in which the Stornoway lifeboat rescued two men from a crabber which was being swamped in hurricane-force (Force 12) winds on 13 February 1989, in spite of a 15ft swell, driving spray and rain.Les Vipond, divisional inspector of lifeboats for Scotland North, said: 'At a station whose services are frequently called upon in very bad weather, it is apparent that these were the worst conditions ever experienced by any of the crew. Coxswain MacDonald showed outstanding gallantry and a very high standard of seamanship. His leadership was also outstanding, inspiring his men to place themselves in a position of danger on the foredeck, totally relying on his judge-ment to keep them from injury.' Medal service certificates have been awarded to: Acting Second Coxswain John Maclennan, Acting Assistant Mechanic Robert Hughson, and Crew Members Alec Murray, Kenneth Campbell, William Campbell, Kenneth Macleod and John Macdonald.At 1700 on 13 February 1989Stornoway's lifeboat, the 52ft Arun class SirMaxAitken II, slipped her mooring on service to the crabber Westward which had anchored off Holm island and was dragging seawards in urgent need of assistance.

Hurricane The wind was from the NW at hurricane force, and very heavy rain squalls were seriously affecting visibility. The air was full of spray up to 10ft above sea level, so Coxswain/ Mechanic Malcolm MacDonald chose to use the upper steering position.

As the lifeboat headed SE towards the casualty the motion became increasingly violent as she left the lee of the land and thebreaking sea became progressively shorter and steeper. The coxswain had great difficulty in holding course as the lifeboat surfed down the seas and, when three miles off the land, he only just prevented her from broaching.The casualty was sighted lying at anchor across wind and sea, rolling heavily and shipping seas across her open afterdeck. Her two-man crew were in the tiny wheelhouse forward.

The wind was now NW Force 12, and blowing over a very rough sea and a swell estimated at 15ft. Visibility was still poor, with the air full of driving spray and heavy rain.

The coxswain approached the casualty andassessed the situation as best he could before backing away. Avoiding the anchor line, he manoeuvred upwind of the casualty while his crew rigged fenders on the port bow, and then chose three men to secure themselves to the foredeck using two lifelines each.

While she was manouevring into position the lifeboat's propellers were fouled by a line of creel pots which had been used by the casualty as a sea anchor, but the lifeboat's shaft-mounted rope cutters easily dealt with the line.

Coxswain MacDonald then approached the casualty and paused, waiting for a brief lull in the wind, but as none came he pressed on - as daylight was fading rapidly.

He placed his port bow close to that of the creel boat, without touching, and one survivor scrambled aboard into the arms of the foredeck crew.

The lifeboat was backed away while the survivor was transferred to the wheelhouse, and then the approach was repeated.

The second man was clearly distressed and kept returning to the wheelhouse, during which time the coxswain had to call on all his skill to keep his boat in position while both vessels were covered by driving spray and shipping seas.

Bruised The men on the foredeck were bruised as they were flung against the rails, and they reported having to turn their heads downwind to breathe. The second man was finally hauled aboard, as the two boats eventually touched, at 1745.

The return passage was made at about 12 knots, to avoid severe motion for the sake of the survivors, and the lifeboat came alongside the quay at 1830..