Six-hour service in horrific conditions to fishermen wrecked on rocks When the fishing vessel Sincerity went aground in stormy conditions off Ardlamont Point, the Campbeltown lifeboat had to travel 30 miles in total darkness just to reach the two men in peril. The crew had to work in extreme conditions in an area that they did not know well and in almost zero visibility. It was only thanks to their outstanding skill and courage that the two men were brought back safely.In the early evening of 29 November last year, fishermen Philip Rae and James Becket were at sea in the 12m fishing vessel Sincerity when a burst cooling water pipe caused total engine failure. With no power to battle against the raging seas, the boat was swept onto nearby rocks. The two men attempted to launch their liferaft but the violent winds ripped it out of their grasp, leaving only the painter attached to the boat. Unable to leave the stranded vessel, Philip went to radio for help, only to find that the vessel had been holed by the rocks and the engine room had flooded completely, leaving the VHP radio unworkable. Fortunately Philip's mobile phone was working despite the remote location and he was able to call for assistance.

The two closest lifeboat stations, Tignabruaich and Arran, both operate Atlantic 75s so were unable to launch in the appalling conditions that far exceeded their operating limits. The nearest allweather lifeboat with a Severn class lifeboat capable of tackling the conditions was Campbeltown. So the lifeboat was launched to start a 30 mile journey to the casualty. John Stewart, Campbeltown coxswain, remembered 'My first thought was that we would be recalled as I expected the crew to be taken off either by helicopter or by the Tignabruaich Atlantic.' A Sea King helicopter was launched but the extreme turbulence around Ardlamont Point meant that it couldn't stay on scene. Winching anyone up from the boat was completely unthinkable.

Fortunately, John's superb handling of the lifeboat meant that he was able to maintain an average speed of over 25 knots despite the complete darkness and reached the stranded boat just 1V2 hours after the first alert.

The Sincerity was firmly grounded on rocks 70m from the shore in the shelter of a small promontory. There are reefs extending across the whole bay, with water depths as little as 2-4m, As the Ernest and Mary Shaw arrived, the fishermen were sheltering behind the wheelhouse, trying to avoid the driving rain and spray. The Sincerity was listing to port and rolling as the seas passed beneath her. Visibility was down to just a few metres and John found it very difficult just to keep her in sight. The lifeboat's searchlights were trained on the boat, assisted by Dunoon and Kames Coastguard rescue teams, who shone searchlights from the shore.'I decided to attempt to pass a liferaft,' said John. 'However, the sea breaking on the reef, coupled with the strong wind, meant that the liferaft was simply swept away from the casualty.

Eventually, we had to cut it free. I then made two attempts to anchor the lifeboat and pass a line but the holding ground was poor and so the lifeboat dragged its anchor. By now an hour had passed and the situation of the two crew members was becoming critical.

'/ could see the two crewmen sheltering in the wheelhouse and knew that the lifeboat was their only hope of rescue.' Coxswain John Stewart The tide was rising and the Sincerity was being rolled heavily by the sea, which was breaking right over her. There was a danger of her rolling off the reef into deeper water and taking her crew with her. It was then that I decided to risk taking the lifeboat alongside the casualty. The rise and fall of the sea at that point was some 4m: at times we had less than 1 m of water under the keel as we manoeuvred alongside the casualty.' On the first two attempts, the lifeboat was unable to put alongside Sincerity because of the truly atrocious conditions. But, on the third attempt, John steered her bow close to the casualty's stern and James Becket was able to jump onto the lifeboat, where he was grabbed by waiting crew members. It took another three approaches before skipper Philip Rae was able to jump safely into the lifeboat as the seas crashed over her right up to the flying bridge. 'Each time we went alongside I was concerned that the lifeboat might be swept onto the reef and end up a casualty herself said John.

The power of the Severn was critical to the success of the rescue. It allowed the lifeboat to be held close to the casualty, on a lee shore, while the crew were taken off.'With the two men safely on board, John headed for nearby East Loch Tarbert, where they were put ashore into the care of the Coastguard.

The lifeboat crew then faced the 2V2 hour journey home to Campbeltown.

'In my 21 years in the boat it ranks as one of the most difficult services that I have been on and, certainly, it is the most difficult service that I have been on since I became coxswain.

I was very pleased that we got a good result- The crew train hard year m and year out and it was good to see all their hard work come together that night.' .* Coxswain John StewartThe Lifeboat Severn class lifeboat ON-1241 Ernest »nd Mary Shaw Bum 1999 Cost £1.8m Funding Gift from the estate of the late Ernest Shaw and his widow Mary Shaw Th»Cr«w Bronze Medal Coxswam John Stewart for his 'seamanship, leadership determination and personal courage' Joined ALB crew 1979 Deputy 2nd Coxswain 1985 2nd Coxswain 1992 Coxswain 1998 Occupation Solicitor Medal Service Certificates Depuiv 2nd Coxswain/Mechanic David CON Assistant Mechanic David Reid Crew Members Raymond Harvey Graham Flaws Stephen Scally Stephen McShannon Peter Reid John Hill Campbeltown Lifeboat Station Established 1861 Previous Medals Silver 1908. 1942. 1982 Bron;e 1942, 1946 Thanks on Vellum 1957.1982, 1988. 1995 The Casualty 12m fishing vessel Sincerity Crew Two.