Point Law Shipwreck Alderney 1975

15 JULY, FORTY YEARS AGO

On 15 July 1975, aged just 16, I became a photographer with my photographic coverage of the "Point Law", a Shell-Mex & B.P. coastal tanker that ran aground at full speed on the southwest of the island of Alderney.

I was there when it happened, with my Halina Paulette Electric camera, and I scaled 60m cliffs in very windy conditions to capture close-up shots of the helicopter and lifeboat rescuing the crew of 12, who had been drinking heavily.

I was able to sell the photographs to many British newspapers, which were then further syndicated worldwide.

I was in the right place at the right time with a very basic camera, but no matter how basic, it was the best camera in the world because it was there when I needed it.

Two weeks later the story broke again with the news that the captain had taken his own life.

If I had not been there when it happened I would certainly not have become a photographer.

Not taken with a Fuji camera, but despite the Ilford film used for the photo montage, I used Fuji film.