sailor

The Bosun's Watch

		
		
		

M.V. Navena FD172


  	  	 
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Picture courtesy of Les Howard

Navena


		
Technical
Official Number 187869
Gross Tonnage 352
Length132.9 ft
Breadth27.1 ft
Draught12.2 ft
Built atSelby 1959
OwnerJ Marr & Son
History
1959 To Fleetwood as a new vessel.
January 28 1969 Sold to P & J Johnstone, Aberdeen.
December 06 1973At 06:12 in the morning a mayday call was reported by Wick radio. The trawler had been driven ashore in severe weather and was hard aground on the Orkneys, at Copinsay. Three other vessels, GLEN AFFRIC, BOUNTIFUL and COASTAL EXPRESS tried to reach her but they were some way off.
20 men from the Deerness Coastguard Rescue team were in sight of the vessel but the wind prevented them from getting a rocket line aboard. Because of this, and despite the severe conditions, a Sikorsky BA.S61 was scrambled from Dyce.
Battling through atrocious conditions the helicopter succeeded in reaching the stricken vessel and found her in a desperate condition. She had been driven beam on against jagged rocks and was in danger of breaking up. The crew of 12 men were huddled inside the wheelhouse waiting for rescue. In a consumate display of flying skills the pilot of the helicopter winched all the crew off in spite of the winds that were gusting in excess of 100mph, a feat that earned the pilot the Board of Trade Rescue Shield for the best rescue involving the saving of life during 1973.