A run saves fishing vessel in storm force windsAservice last September by Thurso's Arun class lifeboat in very heavy weather and with only one engine fully operational has earned her coxswain, Second Coxswain William Munroe, theInstitution's Thanks on Vellum.

It was 1144 on 15 September 1997 when Thurso lifeboat station first learned that the fishing vessel Aztec with four crew aboard was in difficulties in gale force winds some distance away to the west.

Ten minutes later the Arun, 52-43 The Queen Mother, was at sea in a Force? to 8 which soon freshened to Force 8 to 9 as she left the shelter of the land. With the tide now running against the WSW wind, conditions became very rough as the lifeboat battled against the seas towards the casualty.

Increased Working the throttles continuously to make best progress, Second Coxswain Munro was able to maintain some 13 or 14 knots even when the wind increased still further to around Storm Force 10. Despite fine boat handling the lifeboat sustained some damage when a large wave tore some of the protective belting from her hull.

The weather and constant working of the throttles finally took its toll and, at 1345, the port throttle cable seized. Assistant Mechanic William Miller went into the engine room to investigatebut was unable to effect a repair. The throttle cable was disconnected, so that it could be worked from the engine if neccessary, and the engine left running at idle.

The coxswain had already been told by the Coastguard that another fishing vessel, Vigilant, was standing by the casualty and, as the lifeboat proceeded at 7 to 8 knots on one engine, Coxswain Munro asked that Vigilant take Aztec in tow.

At 1443 The Queen Mother rendezvoused with the two vessels and the convoy made its way back towards Thurso with the lifeboat standing by.

All went well until just off Holborn Head, with about at hour and a half's towing left, the line parted leaving Azfecadrift off a lee shore and beam on to the seas.

In these conditions, and with the wind still Force 10 and the seas confused by the backwash from the rocky shore, connecting a tow would have been extremely difficult even with both engines operating normally. Nevertheless Coxswain Munro was determined to attempt it, even though his port engine had no throttle control.

Chain From the upper steering position he set up a human chain to shout throttle controls to William Miller in the engine room, where he made the adjustments manually.

In the backwash from the cliffs the seas were up to 35ft high and the two vessels were moving about so violently that one could be 40ft above or below the other's deck.

Remarkably Coxswain Munro was able to position the Arun so that a tow line could be passed across and, at 1825, the lifeboat had veered the whole length of the line and was battling offshore at about three knots. The seas were so big, that even from the upper steering position, Coxswain Munro could often see only the masthead of the casualty.

Eventually the Arun managed to get 4ztecclear of the headland and, with Vigilant standing by, was able to get her to the safety of Thurso.

Even here Coxswain Munro's difficulties were not over - the strong wind and recalitrant port engine would make berthing difficult. However, with the aid of the harbour tug, Vigilant and her four-man crew were put safely alongside at 1945.The lifeboat Arun class 52-43 The Queen Mother Th*cr«w Thanks on Vellum Second Coxswain William Munro Vellum Service Certificates Asst Mech Duncan Munro Asst Mech William Miller Crew members James Brims Thomas Davidson Donald McKenzie Gordon Munro Kevin Oag John Webster.