Fishing vessel skipper rescues stranded man in severe conditions The rescue of a fellow fisherman stranded on an island in Storm Force winds earned Scalloway fisherman George Williamson an RNLI Bronze medal for Gallantry. The three members of the crew of his fishing boat-James Christie, Theodore Fullerton and John Ward - received framed letters of thanks from the Institution's Chairman.At about 2115 on Monday 8 October 1990 George Williamson received a telephone call from James Christie of Burra reporting a radio message that a lobster creel boat had been wrecked on Burwick Holm, two miles north west of Scalloway. Her engine had failed and skipper Ralph Pottinger was stranded on the island.

Although Aith lifeboat had been launched it would take her some time to reach the island, so Mr Williamson spoke by radio to four fishing vessels at the scene. They were unable to approach because of their draught and the weather, but with the rising tide and bad conditions it was possible that the stranded man might not survive until the lifeboat arrived.G e o r g e Williamson and three other men did not hesitate to launch to the aid of Ralph Pottinger, even though the coastguard had advised them not to attempt a rescue,and they cast off from Scalloway Harbour at 2138, aboard Challenge, a steel-built 36ft salmon work boat. Challenge was towing Conquest, a 21 ft, aluminium open boat with an outboard engine.

Challenge headed north towards the fishing vessels off Burwick Holm, whichwere illuminating the island with their searchlights, in heavy and near-continuous rain squalls and only one-mile visibility.

The wind was SW, Storm Force 10, and whipping the surface of the sea into driven spray.

Having established by radio that the survivor was on a knoll at the north end of Burwick Holm George Williamson headed to the east of the island to approach from the more sheltered leeward side.

Islands to the SSW were breaking up the swell, but the wind was funnelling between them to create a very steep and confused sea.The wind was now gusting to Force 1 land visibility still poor.

Challenge worked her way through an area strewn with salmon cages and creels and with some difficulty found her way through into the lee of the island, which was now illuminated by a coastguard auxiliary's searchlight.

Conquest was almost half full of water after the passage, but she was bailed out and motored carefully towards the NE comer of the island where the bow was run on to the shingle at the water's edge. Ralph Pottinger boarded her and she was brought clear and returned safely to Challenge. The trip was hazardous, as bilge-water created a stability problem and the Coastguard searchlight was now a hindrance as it lit up the flying spray.

It was now about 2157, and although it had taken just three minutes to useConquest for the rescue, the transfer to the small boat and handling her while picking up the survivor had required seamanship of a high order.

With Conquest secured astern Challenge retraced her steps between the creels and salmon cages, where it was particularly rough in the confused sea and wind-driven spray.

Progress was slow into the wind and sea and some heavy spray and seas were shipped before shelter was reached and more speed could be made.

The survivor was landed at 2220 and found to be suffering only from mild exposure.

Aith lifeboat had been making very good progress towards the scene, in extremely bad weather conditions, but was recalled on hearing that the survivor had been rescued..