Out-of-control casualty stopped by deliberately fouling propeller Wick lifeboat was involved in an unusual, hazardous and tragic service on 15/16 May 1993 when a helicopter spotted a vessel going round in circles at full power some 14 miles south of the station.Alerted by the coastguard at 2334 on 15 May the Tyne class Norman Salvesen was underway in 15 minutes and heading for the casualty at best speed into a Force 8 gale and steadily increasing seas.

Arriving at the casualty's position at 0040 she found the yacht Stardust motoring in circles at full speed with a body being dragged astern on a safety line. By this time the wind had reached severe gale Force 9 and the seas were some 20ft high.

The coxswain made several attempts to put a crew member aboard the casualty, but the conditions were so severe that this could not be done. Both lifeboat and yacht were suffering damage as they collided and several fenders and a grappling hook were lost in the attempts. It was obvious that another method had to be found and it was decided to try to stop the yacht by deliberately fouling her propeller. After several attempts in the very rough conditions a line was passed under Stardust, which fouled the propeller, stopping the engine. In the large seas it was still not safe to board the casualty and so the line wasthen used to tow the yacht back to Wick, where the body of the yacht's owner was recovered from the sea.

Following this tragic service a substantial sum was collected at the funeral and donated to the Institution. The chief of operations has written to the station congratulating the coxswain and crew on their work in the difficult service..