Six fishermen saved from stranded vessel in heavy seas The Thanks of the Institution on Vellum has been awarded to Coxswain Robert Duffy of Howth lifeboat following a service to a fishing boat in Force 7 winds and heavy seas. The deputy divisional inspector for Ireland, Andrew Clift, said in his report: This rescue was carried out in difficult circumstances with very restricted sea room. Its successful conclusion owed much to the local knowledge and boathandling skills of the coxswain.'At 0603 on 30 November 1994 Dublin MRCC informed Howth lifeboat station that the fishing vessel Vision was aground on Lambay Island, 6 miles to the north, and the station's relief Arun class lifeboat The Duke of Atholl slipped her moorings at 0615.

The casualty was in radio contact with the lifeboat and reported that she was aground on the south west corner of Lambay Island, holed forward and taking on water. One life raft was in the water alongside, one crew member was adrift in another, and five crew remained on board. At 0630 Vision reported that her engine room had flooded and that she only had auxiliary power.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 0635, to find the wind SE Force 7 with rough seas which continually broke over the lifeboat. A tidal stream swept north west past the casualty at up to 2 knots. Sunrise was due at 0815.

Coxswain Robert Duffy decided to search for the missing crew and life raft, but almost immediately a red parachute flare was fired from the shore and the lifeboat crew could see that the missing crew man had reached safety.

They transferred their efforts to rescuing the remaining five crew still on board the casualty, while the man ashore fired flares to help illuminate the area.

The casualty had been travelling at about 8 knots when she struck and was hard aground on Lambay Island. Netting floated from her starboard side and lobster pot markers were visible within a hundred feet of her port side. She had a 30° list to starboard and rocks could be seen breaking the surface about 1 Oft along her port side.

Because of the condition of the casualty and the weather conditions, Coxswain Duffy decided that there was no chance of saving Vision and, as no heli-copter assistance was available, the coxswain decided to make an immediate attempt to pick up the five survivors.

The casualty's remaining life raft was the wrong side of the rocks to be of any use and the conditions precludedthe use of the Y boat.

The approach to the casualty was hindered by the large seas breaking over the lifeboat, the proximity of the rocks, nets and pot markers and the tide flowing at right angles to the approach route.

The only clear area was the casualty's port quarter, although her rudder and rocks some 12ft forward of her stern presented immediate hazards.

Four lifeboatmen were positioned onthe foredeck to help catch the survivors, and four unsuccessful attempts to put the starboard shoulder of the lifeboat alongside the casualty were made before the first survivor was successfully pulled aboard.

Fifteen attempts were needed to rescue the five survivors still aboard Vision, all of them suffering from shock and slight hypothermia.

The lifeboat left the casualty at 0650 and moved round to the lee of the island, where the Y boat was launched to pick up the sixth man from the shore before returning to station.

The survivors declined offers of medical assistance and were transferred, at their request, to another fishing vessel in the harbour..