Longhope Coxswain Kevin Kirkpatrick and Thurso Second Coxswain Duncan Munro received the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum for two separate services on the same stormy day (mentioned in the winter 2004/05 issue of the Lifeboat). In addition, Longhope Mechanic John Budge has received a Framed Letter of Thanks from RNLI Chairman Sir Jock Slater and all 15 crew members from the two stations have been given vellum service certificates. Their two spectacular services demonstrate well the huge power of the sea.

Longhope Mid morning, the Arun class The Queen Mother launched into force 10-12 winds to help the sailing yacht Dasher and her crew of three. The yacht had lost her primary anchor and was being driven towards the rocks at Ward Point on Burray. Despite using full engine power, the secondary anchor was still not holding.

On passage, Coxswain Kevin Kirkpatrick and crew faced winds gusting up to 85 knots and a 2-3m swell.

Visibility was less than 500m.

At 11.03am, the lifeboat approached Dasher (see photo). Avoiding the anchor line, Kevin passed close to the port side to allow the crew to throw a heaving line.

In the wild conditions, the yacht struck the starboard side of the lifeboat, ripping off fendering and bending the guardrails of the lifeboat. No one was hurt and Kevin skilfully maintained the close position for 25 minutes while the crew set up the tow.

Due to the driving heavy rain and spray, the lifeboat crew on the aft deck had difficulty communicating with the Coxswain at the upper steering position, so Mechanic John Budge stood between them and relayed vital information.The yacht was pulled clear of the shore and Kevin decided to tow the casualty back to a safe berth at Longhope pier. The lifeboat reached the pier at 1.31pm, but the wind was still too strong for the lifeboat to pull alongside in the conventional way. Bow first, Kevin and crew executed a difficult manoeuvre to secure the lifeboat to the pier. Lines were then passed to the yacht and, with the help of about 20 people from the local Coastguard rescue team and from the village, they hauled the yacht securely alongside the lifeboat.

Thurso Just as the Longhope lifeboat was reaching home, the Thurso lifeboat was heading out to the Arn0ytrans, a Norwegian 41m fish carrier, and her crew of four. The casualty's steering failed in Pentland Firth, a notorious area of confused seas where the waters of the Atlantic meet those of the North Sea. The master of the Arneytrans realised that there would be a high possibility of losing his vessel when the tide turned, as the wind and tide would drive her towards the rocks near Dunnet Head.

Thurso's new Severn class lifeboat The Taylors (not yet formally named), with Second Coxswain Duncan Munro in command, soon hit storm force winds and 10-12m waves. Closing on the Arneytrans, a huge wave broke right over the lifeboat completely submerging two of the lifeboat crew on the deck. Both were knocked off their feet, but managed to hold on.

The crews established a tow, which was lost and then successfully re-established. After around two hours of towing, the conditions eased. The master of the Arnaytrans reported that power had been restored to the steering gear and that a tow was no longer needed. The lifeboat escorted the casualty back to safety, reaching Scrabster Harbour at Thurso four hours after launching.LONGHOPE CREW Coxswain Kevin Kirkpatrick Crew Members John Budge Matthew Budge Frank Caertner Roy Meddle Alan Lain Robert Seatter Kevin Thomson Robert Thomson Jamie Wild THURSO CREW Second Coxswain Duncan Munro Crew Members James Brims George Burns Kevin Davidson Bruce Farquhar William Miller Cordon Munro Scott Youngson.