Shortly after 11 A.M. on the 5th October a small boat was observed about four miles to the N.E.of Buckie Harbour, evidently in dis- tress. By aid of glasses it was seen that the sail had been blown away and that the occupant was holding up his jacket as a distress signal, whilst the boat was drifting in a N.E. direction. The crew of the Life-boat Maria Stephenson were called out and the boat promptly launched. There was a moderate S. gale blowing with a choppy sea, but within forty-five minntes of the assembly signal being fired, the Life-boat reached the boat. It was found that the craft was the line fishing boat The Boy, of Fin- dochty, with the owner—a man between sixty-five and seventy years of age—on board. He was taken into the Life-boat in a very exhausted condition and his boat taken in tow. Another boat which was labouring heavily was at this time kept under observation until she was in safety, and then the Life-boat towed The Boy into Findochty Harbour, which is about three miles to the eastward of Buckie. The Life-boat then returned to her station, arriving about 2 P.M..