The St Mary's (Isle of Scilly) lifeboat Robert Edgar pictured while standing by the Cuban-registered refrigerated carrier Gran Piedra off St Agnes on Sunday 16 May 1993.The size of the seas and the severity of the weather can clearly be seen.

The 3,500-ton vessel had lost power in a southerly Force 8/9 Gale and drifted to within a mile and a half of the shore before her anchors held. The lifeboat had offered to try to tow the vessel until a tug arrived, but this had not been necessary. Gran Piedra's crew had been airlifted to safety and a tug eventually pulled her to safety. The lifeboat stood-by until all the crew were safe and the tow had been established.

Robert Edgar had been launched at 1525 and did not return to her station until 0150 the next morning after more than 10 hours at sea in very rough conditions.

Photo: West of England Photo News.