Hastings, Sussex.—At 4.2 on the afternoon of the 25th of November, 1952, a coastguardsman at Pett tele- phoned that a fishing boat was in diffi- culties near the shore off Rye. Later the Fairlight coastguard stated that she had apparently broken down, and that she had flown a flag at half-mast.She sailed to a position two miles off Winchelsea, but got into difficulties again west of Rye Harbour, and at 5.32 the life-boat M.T.C. was launched.

There was a light easterly breeze, with a rough sea. The life-boat found the French fishing boat Jeune Louis, with a crew of seven, four miles south of Winchelsea. She had a rope round her propeller. The life-boat towed her to Hastings, beached her at the harbour arm and made her fast at 8.40. The fishing boat's propeller was cleared, and a policeman and a member of the Hastings Life-Saving Auxiliary kept watch on her that night.

Early the next morning the rope securing her parted, but the life-saving auxiliary made her fast again. She remained there all day waiting for a spare part for her engine. A wireless message had been sent to the skipper's two brothers, who had boats, and these boats arrived at Newhaven that night.

However, on the morning of the 27th a heavy swell made it dangerous for the Jeune Louis to stay where she was, and at 8.15 the Hastings life-boat was launched again. She towed the fishing boat clear of the harbour wall, anchored her, and took the skipper ashore. The life-boat remained with her until the two boats arrived from Newhaven to take her in tow, and then returned to her station, arriving at 2.38. The skipper expressed his thanks.—Rewards: 1st service £25 95.

6d.; 2nd service, £33 2s. 6d..