During the afternoon of the 16th February a sudden strong N.N.W. gale got up, with a heavy, broken sea and snow showers. The motor life-boat H.C.J.

was launched at 3.30 P.M., as two local motor fishing boats had gone to Hoy Head fishing and had not re- turned. One of the boats was met about five miles north-west of Hoborne Head and the life-boat escorted her until she reached more sheltered water.

She then went on to search for the other boat. After a long, unsuccessful search she put into Scrabster to find if the boat had got in, and was just setting out again when she was seen entering the harbour. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 7 P.M.— Rewards, £11 3s..