Port Erin, and Peel, Isle of Man.—At 9.40 on the morning of the 21st of April, 1951, the Director of the Marine Bio- logical Station sent a message to the Port Erin life-boat authorities. Two life-boatmen had reported that the Station's motor boat Runa had sunk north of Fleshwick Bay, although nothing could be seen of her crew: four people who had been on a seal watching expedition. At 10.0 the life-boat Matthew Simpson was launched, with a rowing boat in tow. The coastguard informed the Peel life-boat authorities at 10.10; and at 10.30 the life-boat Helen Sutton was launched. The sea was smooth, with a moderate south- easterly breeze blowing. The Port Erin life-boat found that the Runa had struck a submerged rock close inshore, but the four seal-watchers had got ashore. They had climbed two hundred feet up a steep cliff, but could climb no further; nor could they get down again.

A life-boatman therefore climbed up to them with a rope and helped them down; and they were then taken into the life-boat and landed at the harbour at 12.15 that afternoon. The Peel life-boat was not needed so she returned to her station, arriving at 1.0.— Rewards: Port Erin, £11 12s.; Peel, £16 3s. 6d..