oom Tobermory lifeboat crew took a leading role in a major environmental operation after a cargo ship ran aground on 7 May. The stricken vessel could clearly be seen from the lifeboat station, firmly wedged onto rocks just a 10-minute journey across the Sound of Mull. The crew quickly established that noone was injured but, remembered one crew member, 'there was a sheen of diesel visible on the water around the ship and a great many patches of heavy fuel oil. The smell of diesel and oil in the area had to be experienced to be believed.' The crew realised that if they didn't act fast they could be facing a potential environmental disaster.

All non-essential personnel were taken off the ship, leaving the master and chief engineer, together with lifeboat crew members Robert McLeod and Tony Ratcliffe, who helped to stabilise the vessel. Robert recalled, 'I was led down into the engine room where I was met by a sight reminiscent of a U-boat having been depth charged as water and diesel gushed in'.

Three of the Lysfoss's fuel tanks had ruptured and the ship also had several containers of hazardous chemicals aboard. Fortunately, honorary secretary John Wilshire managed to locate a small antipollution boom which the lifeboat ferried out to the casualty and, with the help of crew members Phil Higson and Andy Malcolm, the boom was positioned around the vessel.Having averted immediate disaster, the lifeboa station boarding boat stood by for the remainder c the day. At 9pm the Lysfoss developed a dangero list as the tide came in and the lifeboat was callec once again to evacuate everyone to safety.

A steady stream of people started to arrive in Tobermory, from the casualty's owners and insui to an expert salvage team. The lifeboat found its providing an ad hoc bus service as each group required transfer out to the casualty and back to town. The visitors also took over the station and the next few days it was a hive of activity as the salvage and anti-pollution operations took place, vessel was eventuajjy refloated and taken to Bel to unload before heading to Europe for repairs.

mented 'this highlights tl anti-pollution measures Sound of Mull is an area i life and is also an increasi busy shipping channel! It should be possible to h, effective anti-pollutiorriifeasures in place within hours rather than days| Fortunately, the quick ac of the lifeboat crew m|ant that the pollution was contained and the wildlife survived unscathed.

THE LIFEBOAT Arun class iifeooat ON-1143 Ann L«M»! Frtsfr Built 1988 Cost £552,162 funding Gift from the Hugh Fratet Foil ndalion THE CREW Operation* Director'* Letter ol Thanhs Coxswain Philip Hlgion Mechanic Timothy Witkini 2nd Coxswain/2n<) Mechanic Stephen Bryci Third Mechanic Creon Carmichael Emergency Mechanic Francis Anderson Crew Members Jam** Toole Robert MacLeod Ian Elwi* Jane GriHHti* Tony Ratcliffa Steven Crichton TOBERMORY LIFEBOAT STATION Established 1938 Closed 1947 Reopened 1990 THE CASUALTY 4.400 tonne, 100m Norwegian merchant vessel Lysfoss Crew:fl THE CONDfTIONS Weather Cloudlets blue *ky Visibility Good - 5/10 mile* Wind NW Force 2 Sea Mate Calm with no *w«H.