Saved by her dog's eyes When 14-year-old Catherine Sharman and her dog, Jet, became trapped on rocks by the tide, it proved difficult just to find her. Nightfall, driving rain, rough seas and strengthening winds all posed a challenge to the rescue teams but, as the Abersoch lifeboat searched along the coast to the west of Trwyn-Llech-y-doll, their searchlight caught the reflection of Jet's eyes in the darkness.from Simon casualty At 7.20pm on 26 October 2000, Abersoch helmsman Richard 'Dick' Hughes was at the lifeboat station carrying out some routine maintenance, when the Coastguard reported a young girl missing at Forth Ceiriad, two miles southwest of the station. The station's Atlantic 21 lifeboat was quickly launched with four crew on board.

'Heavy seas and ever increasing winds were a hindrance even in the bay,' recalled Dick. Crew member Simon Harris added The wind and waves slowed us to half our daylight speed.' Despite the poor conditions, however, the lifeboat reached the scene in just nine minutes.

The Coastguard reported that cries for help had been heard to the west of Forth Ceiriad Bay and RAF rescue helicopter Rescue 122 from RAF Valley was alerted. Both teams searched the area, while the Coastguard attempted to locate the girl from the land.

The coastline was_ shrouded in darkness, with heavy rain, strong winds and turbulent seas. 'It was impossible to hear the girl's cries because of the wind and waves,' said Simon. The chances of finding her seemed slim, until the lifeboat's searchlight, operated by Adrian Bennett and Terry O'Neill, picked out two red eyes glowing in the light.

Catherine and Jet were clinging to a rock ledge that was almost completely submerged by the rising sea. With another hour to go until high water, it was vital to get them off as soon as possible.

The Sea King helicopter hovered over the scene, illuminating the area with its searchlight.

The number of rocks in the area, together with a dangerous reef, meant that the lifeboat could not get right up to where Catherine was trapped.

Simon suggested that he could swim through the rocks and look for obstructions. He then tied himself to the towline and entered the water.

He is an experienced swimmer and managed to swim the 15m to Catherine without any problems, although he was violently buffeted by the large waves and surf breaking over the rocks. He clambered up onto the rock ledge and found Catherine wet, cold and frightened, but uninjured. He then indicated to Dick the route he might take through the rocks.

'I was very concerned for the safety of the crew as we approached the cliff face in between the rocks,' said Dick, 'but Catherine was almost within arms reach and we had to do all we could to reachher.' As he positioned the lifeboat alongside the rock ledge, Simon helped Catherine to jump aboard. Simon then managed to pass Jet across to Adrian and Terry before jumping back into the lifeboat himself. 'It's a long drop if you jump at the wrong moment,' Simon remembered. 'We didn't jump at the wrong moment!' The lifeboat then travelled back to the station, where Catherine was checked by an ambulance crew and found to have suffered no injuries.Th« Lifeboat Atlantic 21 lifeboal B-582 Borough of Sollhull Built: 1994 Cost £81,000 Funding Tha Borough ol Sollhull Lifeboat App.al Tha Craw Thank* of th« Institution on Vallum Helmsman Richard Hughet • ;• his 'excellent seamanship, sound boat handling and courage' Joined crew 1990 Occupation Flooring contractor Crew Member Simon Harrii for his 'brave and selfless action'.

Joined crew 1998 Occupation Jeweller Operation* Director'! Letter of Thank* Helicopter Pilot Squadron Leader Lee Calderwood Vellum Service Certlllcaiei Ctew Membe's Adrian Bannatt Tarance O'Neill Abarwch i i t c i i i . i t st.itM.n Establishes-1989 Closed 1931 Re-Opened 1965 Prevloui MidaIt Silver 1870, 1879 Thanks on Vellum 1972 The Casualty 14-year-otd Catherine Sharman and her dog. Jet.