Star of Courage

• Awarded on: August 11, 1975
• Invested on: September 22, 1975

Captain Kenneth Arnison, S.C.
Captain Howard Keast, S.C.
Ronald George Neal Lowe, S.C.
Raymond Douglas Smart, S.C.
Star of Courage

On January 4, 1974, a floating fuel depot carrying 65,000 tons of diesel oil caught fire at its mooring in Coal Harbour, Vancouver, British Columbia. With flames shooting to 200 feet into the air the barge began to drift towards another scow loaded with oil and gasoline. Realizing that if the conflagration extended, a major disaster could result, Capt. Keast of the tugboat Lawrence L. with Capt. Kenneth Arnison, Ronald Lowe and Raymond Smart as crew, decided to try to attach a line to the barge. Under the protection of the water jets from a fire boat, the tug was manoeuvred close in and an upright on the barge lassoed. As they pulled away, however, the rope was burned through. Undeterred, a second attempt was made and while the tugs hoses were turned on the crew members, they moved directly to the barge and Capt. Arnison made a line fast. They proceeded then to tow the burning barge to a place of safety away rom the other shipping where it could be beached and the hulk was abandoned to burn itself out. Together the four men shared in a most perilous undertaking.