Crew rescue man trapped in capsized fishing vessel James McPhee, the coxswain of Campbeltown lifeboat, has been awarded the Thanks of the RNLI inscribed on Vellum following a service to the work boat Gille Brighde, when she capsized on 29 March 1995.

Mechanic David Cox, assistant mechanic David Reid and crew members Mark McGrory, Keith Wright, Charles McLellan, Graham McMurchy and Bruce Strang have been awarded Vellum Service Certificates.The owner of Gille Brighde, Dick Gannon, had been trapped in the wheelhouse when she capsized and although Coxswain McPhee knew that he had to be rescued quickly because of the very low water temperature, they could not risk breaking the wheelhouse windows in case this released the trapped air and the boat sank.

Having tried unsuccessfully to right the boat by various means crew members Bruce Strang and Mark McGrory were in the water alongside the craft, and when the air pressure caused one of the wheelhouse windows to explode they managed to grab Mr Gannon and pull him clear while Mechanic David Cox hauled the vessel's bows out of the water, using the lifeboat's winch.

Teamwork In his official report, Kir an Nash, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for Scotland, said: 'This rescue, while occurring in favourable wind and sea conditions, demanded fine teamwork and concentration from Coxswain McPhee and his crew. Attempts to right the craft were carried out in the sure knowledge that the trapped survivor might perish at any moment and were executed quickly and efficiently. Teamwork between crew on board the lifeboat and those in the water was excellent. In extremely difficult circumstances, Mr Gannon's life was saved by the calm and effective action of the entire crew, ably led by Coxswain McPhee.' It was at 1557 on Wednesday 29 March 1995 that Clyde MRCC first informed Campbeltown lifeboat station that the 26ft fast work boat Gille Brighde had capsized five miles south of Davaar Island.

At 1605 Campbeltown's Arun class lifeboat Walter and Margaret Couper, left her berth and headed for the position at fullspeed in fair conditions. A helicopter from RNAS Prestwick reached the scene first, but, finding no sign of anyone in the water near the capsized craft, it marked the casualty with a smoke flare and left to search the shoreline. At 1620 the lifeboat's inflatable Y-boat was also launched to search close inshore, but Coxswain McPhee suspected that a man could possibly be trapped under the upturned hull and rather than committing both the lifeboat's dry suits to the Y-boat crew he ordered one of the dry suit-clad crew members to stay on the lifeboat.When she arrived at the scene at 1633 the lifeboat found Gille Brighde capsized and beam on to the 3ft swell with only 2ft of her bow above water. Coxswain McPhee brought the lifeboat gently alongside and crew member Bruce Strang went into the water to establish whether anyone was trapped beneath the vessel.

Swimming towards the bows of the casualty he could hear shouts from inside the wheelhouse and recognised the voice as that of the owner, Dick Gannon. He banged hard on the wheelhouse casing to let him know that help was at hand. The sea was very cold and the coxswain knew that Mr Gannon would have to be rescued quickly if he was to survive. The Yboat was recalled and crew member MarkMcGrory joined Bruce Strang in the water.

Coxswain McPhee was reluctant to break the wheelhouse windows to get to Mr Gannon, as it appeared that it was only the air trapped in the wheelhouse which was keeping the vessel afloat so he decided to try to right her. Lines were made fast and several attempts made before being abandoned. An unsuccessful attempt was then made to force the vessel's liferaft underneath the bows to provide additional buoyancy when inflated.

The lifeboat had now been on the scene for 30 minutes and, although Mr Gannon could still be heard, Coxswain McPhee knew that time was running out.

Suddenly the wheelhouse window on the starboard side shattered with a rush of escaping air. Fortunately a line had been made fast to the forward cleat and Mechanic David Cox immediately was able to use the lifeboat's winch to lift the vessel's bows as high as possible out of the water, exposing the main wheelhouse window.

Tangled Crewman Mark McGrory was then able to smash the window and reach inside.

After he had removed lifejackets, cordage and other equipment he was able to reach Mr Gannon's outstretched hand.

However his legs were entangled in cordage and only when this was clear could he be pulled through the broken window.

He was stripped of his outer clothing and wrapped in a blanket before being transferred to the helicopter and taken to hospital in Campbeltown.

The lifeboat remained on the scene until it was confirmed that there had been no other persons on board and Gille Brighde was then towed back to Campbeltown where the lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service again at 2048..