The "exceptional bravery" of the Rosslare lifeboat coxswain in Co Wexford is due to be marked by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Coxswain Brendan Pitt's role in saving the skipper and five crew of a French fishing vessel off the south-east coast during an eight-hour ordeal in gale-force conditions last winter will be recognised by a special vellum, while six members of the lifeboat crew will also receive certificates from the RNLI. During the afternoon of Wednesday November 5th, 2003, the skipper of the French-registered 24-metre stern trawler, Alf, issued a radio call for help when his vessel suffered a complete power failure.
The Rosslare all-weather lifeboat, Mabel Williams, immediately launched during a gale and with visibility down to less than two miles.
By 3.55 p.m. the lifeboat had reached the Alf, and the deck crew had made ready the towline and were standing by to assist, according to the RNLI.
"Coxswain Pitt skilfully manoeuvred in parallel to the Alf to allow his crew to throw a line and connect the tow. With the larger, heavier Alf in tow and without steerage, progress was very slow in the continuing poor conditions. After a difficult passage both vessels arrived safely in Rosslare Harbour by 9.30 p.m."
The RNLI's director of operations, Mr Michael Vlasto, said that Coxswain Pitt and his crew endured some eight hours of "continuously atrocious sea conditions" to effect the rescue. "The calm efficiency and seamanship of the deck crew enabled Coxswain Pitt to establish and then re-establish a tow," he said.
"The obvious and open relief demonstrated by the skipper and crew of the Alf, as time-served seafarers themselves, was an indication of the professional and skilful manner in which Rosslare Harbour lifeboat was operated and the peril they found themselves in. "Coxswain Pitt exhibited sound leadership, excellent seamanship skills and managed a difficult and arduous service in the very best traditions of the RNLI," Mr Vlasto said.
