Arun at sea for nine hours in winds gusting to lOOmph The Arun class lifeboat City of Bradford, at Ballyglass during the new station's twelve-month evaluation period, carried out a long and arduous service on 11 February which earned the station a letter of congratulation from the director of the RNLI.The lifeboat was called on service to the 100ft Spanish longliner Xisti at 1100 and launched at 1120 in a NW Force 8 with very rough seas. The vessel had reported that she was holed and taking water, although the problem was eventually found to be a leaking stern tube.

The casualty was almost 40 miles NNW of the station and the lifeboat proceeded upwind in deteriorating weather. Within an hour of launching the wind was up to Force 12 and on arriving at the scene at 1345 the crew found seas of 60ft to 80ft running in the open Atlantic.

An RAF Nimrod which had been pinpointing the position returned to base when the lifeboat arrived, and a Sea King and an Irish Air Corps Dauphin en route to the scene were stood down.

The casualty's pumps were holding their own, although the master was concerned that his temporary repair and his pumps would last.

It was decided to head downwind to Killybegs, even though it was 70 miles away, as the crippled longliner would find running down the seas easier than crossing them to the nearest port.

Xixti was escorted by City of Bradford for the whole of the passage in winds of around Force 9 and with extremely rough seas.

On arrival at Killybegs and with the casualty safely secured at 2115 the coxswain decided that having been at sea for almost nine hours, and in the prevailing weather, it would be prudent to remain there overnight.

The following day the lifeboat returned to her station - a five-hour passage in westerly Force 9 winds - refuelled and was ready for service again at 1215..