Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At one o'clock in the morning of the 9th of August, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a boat appeared to be in difficulties between West Mersea and Bradwell, and at half past one the motor life-boat Edward Z. Dresden was launched. A fresh south-westerly breeze was .blow- ing, with a rough sea. She searched for several hours and found a dinghy bottom upwards, brought it in and arrived back at her station at eleven o'clock.. It was then learned that it was another boat that had been reported in distress, the auxiliary yacht Sea Air.

She had signalled that she needed someone to pilot her into West Mersea and the police had gone out to her in a motor boat.—Rewards, £23 2s..