Star of Courage

• Awarded on: August 8, 1983
• Invested on: December 09, 1983

In a daring rescue, shortly before midnight on 2 March 1982, the Master of the fishing vessel Cape Bauld, Capt. James Green saved the lives of ten crewmen stranded aboard the trawler Fame V. Earlier that evening the Fame V experienced serious mechanical problems and, propelled by strong winds blowing towards shore, ran aground on Cape Race, off the coast of Newfoundland; its Captain had ordered his crew to abandon ship but they had been unable to launch the lifeboat due to heavy seas and the proximity of steep rocks. Capt. Green responded to the distress call. In total darkness, amidst winds gusting to 50 km/hour, high breakers and driving snow, he approached the Fame V as her hull was pounding on the rocks. In a fine display of leadership and resolution, though aware that the least error would likely result in certain death for all concerned, he brought his vessel to within 4 metres of Fame V, enabling his crew to secure a line to the stricken vessel. That line broke and Capt. Green again manoeuvred to within three metres to secure a wire cable to the Fame V. During the tow the wind increased to 06 km/hour, gusting to 100 km/hour, causing the cable to break. Although the manoeuvre was again extremely dangerous, Capt. Green closed in and his crew secured a cable, completing the rescue by towing Fame V to safe harbour.