Tyne's 26-hour service in storm force winds Coxswain Kieran Cotter of Baltimore's relief Tyne class lifeboat has received the RNLI's Bronze Medal for Gallantry following a 26-hour service to two separate casualties in winds up to Storm Force 10 on 30 and 31 October 1991.Peter Bradley, Ireland's divisional inspector of lifeboats, said the coxswain and his crew exhibited 'determination, skill and good seamanship', tenaciously completing the services 'despite the appalling weather conditions and long hours at sea'.

For their part in the service framed Letters of Appreciation signed by the RNLI's Chairman have been awarded to assistant mechanic Vincent O'Driscoll and crew members Ronald Carthy, Michael O'Regan, Ciaran McSweeney and Aidan Bushe.

Storm Force 10 A southerly Storm Force 10 was blowing at Baltimore when information was received that the 120ft fishing vessel Japonica had experienced machinery failure some 13 miles west of the Fastnet Rock. At 1715 on 30 October Baltimore's lifeboat Good Shepherd launched from her slipway.

In the open sea, 50-knot winds from the south were kicking up seas of 20ft.

Two hours after launching, the relief Tyne class lifeboat arrived at the casualty's reported position to find she was still further to the west. After 30 minutes the lifeboat reached the casualty, which was without power and lying with her port bow to theweather. Her skipper had calculated his rate of drift as four knots to the north-east.

A sister ship was expected by midnight to give aid, but as the weather was quicklydriving Japonica closer to the rockbound shore it was decided the Tyne should start to tow Japonica to safety.

It took over an hour to connect a tow line, by which time the casualty had drifted over four miles closer to shore. It took several passes to leeward of the larger vessel before the lifeboat could pass a messenger line and Japonica's heavy warp was made fast.

The 47ft lifeboat then eased the 120ft casualty diagonally across the storm force wind towards the safety of Bantry Bay. However, at 2230 alarge wave pushed her out of position and the tow parted. The tow was at last reconnected and seven hours later at 0610 Japonica was anchored in the shelter of Bantry Bay.

But there was no rest for Good Shepherd yet. On her return passage to station she suffered a blocked fuel filter. Then lifeboatman McSweeney hit his head while stowing away gear in the forward cabin. A diversion to Castleto wnbere was necessary to land McSweeney for medical attention - five stitches in his forehead - at 1130.

Awaiting the arrival of the new fuel filter the lifeboat received a further radio call from Shannon MRCC to say another vessel was in difficulties to the south of the Fastnet Rock.

With a new filter and two fresh crew members aboard the Tyne left Castletownbere at 1325, heading towards the Fastnet into the full force of the weather.

Under tow Atlantis Adventure was a 60ft sailing vessel having trouble with her auxiliary and sailing under a storm jib in a Gale Force 8 wind, gusting to Severe Gale Force 9. The sea was rough with over a 20ft swell.

At 1600 in very bad conditions Good Shepherd reached the yacht to find her making six knots under a small storm jib. Her crew were exhausted. After 15 minutes a tow was passed, and by 1850 the casualty had been towed to the safety of Baltimore Harbour.

By the time the Tyne had left the casualty in the harbour, been refuelled and then rehoused it was 1920 on 31 October - over 26 hours since she had left on service the day before..