Photographers save fishermen in GaleA rescue carried out by the crew of a rigid inflatable in Gale force conditions on 16 April 1991 has earned its two-man crew awards from the RNLI. The owner of the boat, Rick Tomlinson (a former crew member of Port St Mary lifeboat), has been awarded the Institution's Bronze medal and his crew Nick Keig (an experienced yachtsman and president of Peel lifeboat station) the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum.

Peter Bradley, divisional inspector of lifeboats for Ireland, wrote in his official report on the service: 'Given the sea conditions, duration of service, proximity of casualty to shore and their limited search and rescue experience, Mr Tomlinson and Mr Keig displayed courage, skill and determination in reaching the casualty and in pursuing their objective until safe haven was reached.' Publicity shots The two men were out in the 17ft Delta class rigid inflatable Vulture taking publicity shots of Lough Swilly's D class inflatable when Malin Radio relayed a message to the lifeboat that a small fishing vessel, the 30ft Ross Revenge, had suffered machinery failure in severe weather at the entrance to the Lough.The call was acknowledged by Lough Swilly lifeboat at 1115 and both boats set off in the direction of the reported casualty. The wind was Force 6 from the NE, gusting to Force 7- 8 and creating 3ft to 4ft waves in the Lough.

The boats arrived at Dunree Head, marking the end of sheltered water, on the Lough's eastern side at 1130. Reaching the casualty's reported position on the other shore involved crossing the Lough's exposed entrance.

Radio contact With the wind now Force 7 to 8 and with 15ft to 20ft seas running it was obvious that conditions were well outside the operational limits of the D class. She returned to the lee of the headland and the larger rigid inflatable carried on alone in constant radio contact with the station for local navigational advice and updates on the casualty's position, now established as inside the Swilly Beg rock.

The Swilly Beg rock is just off the western side of the Lough's entrance, and the whole area was a lee shore in Gale force winds and seas of over 15ft. Ross Revenge was inside the rock and just 20ft from the cliff face below Pollet Head as Vulture arrived at 1150. Stemming the seas Vulture's crew passed a tow line which was made fast by the two people aboard Ross Revenge. With the tow secure Vulture took the weight on the line and, ^_ manoeuvring ahead of the casualty, pulled Ross Revenge clear of the rocks.

Turning south east. Vulture took the casualty slowly through the narrow passage between the Swilly Beg rock and another off-lying rock close to the shore. Once clear, the full force of the sea made it extremely difficult for her to hold a steady course with the Gale force winds and heavy seas now on the port quarter.

Doubling the length of the tow line to some 80ft eased the situation and Vulture and the towed casualty headed south towards Port Salon, some three miles away on the same shore but offering some shelter in the prevailing conditions. Once in port, where they arrived at 1145, the crew of Ross Revenge were able to restart their engine and bail her out within 30 minutes, enabling them to put to sea again - escorted by Vulture.

Escort The Lough Swilly lifeboat had returned to the vicinity of her station on the eastern shore at Buncrana, but crossed again to meet Ross Revenge and Vulture off Macamish Point, some five miles south of Port Salon, escorting them to the safety of Rathmullen. The inshore lifeboat then crossed the Lough once more, transferring the survivors to the lifeboat station at Buncrana.

Lough Swilly D class lifeboat crew (Peter Barnett, Mark Barnett and Mark Porter) have been sent letters from the Director of the RNLI complimenting them on their determination and prudence in their part of the rescue..