Cromarty.—At 10.0 on the morning of the 12th of February, 1951, the coast- guard telephoned that a fishing boat was aground on the West Riff Sand- bank near Rosemarkie. At 10.17 the life-boat John Russell, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings in a rough sea with a moderate south- easterly breeze blowing. She found the fishing vessel Castle Moil, of Broad- ford, with a crew of eight. The fishery cruiser Freya was standing by.

Owing to the shallow water she could not get near, and had tried, without success, to get a tow rope to the Castle Moil. The life-boat at once fired a line across, but at that moment a sea washed the Castle Moil clear.

She was damaged and leaking badly, and at her skipper's request the life-boat escorted her to Inverness.

She then returned to her station, arriving at 3.45 in the afternoon.—• Rewards, £14 5s..