Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 12.36 on the afternoon of the 15th of January, 1954, the coastguard reported that a wireless message had been intercepted from a ship, stating that she was drifting on to rocks between South Stack and Skerries. At 1.2 the life-boat St. Cybi, Civil Service No. 9 was launched in a very rough sea, with a strong westerly gale blowing. A tug also put to sea.

The coastguard wirelessed that the position was now given as six miles west of South Stack, but the life-boat found nothing there. The tug then reported that the ship, which was the motor vessel Michel Swenden, of Rotterdam, was six miles south-west- by-south of South Stack, and that an aircraft was circling her. The life- boat made for the position.

At 3.45 the coastguard wirelessed that a coaster was in difficulties three miles north-west of South Stack light- house. The life-boat left the tug to find the Michel Swenden, and searched for the coaster. However, the coaster cancelled her distress call, so the life- boat again made for the Michel Szt'enden, which was now reported to be three miles south of South Stack.

She eventually found her at 7.30 about ten miles south of South Stack between one and two miles off shore.

The tug was then standing by.

The tug had tried to take the Michel StL-enden in tow, but the ropes had parted. When the life-boat arrived, the tug returned to Holy head. The life-boat stood by the vessel all night while she got clear of her dangerous position, and at 5.56 on the morning of the 16th of January the vessel wirelessed that she was clear. The life-boat escorted her seawards until 7.30 and then returned to her station, arriving at 12 noon. She had been at sea for twenty-three hours. The skipper expressed his thanks and made a donation to the funds of the Institu- tion.—Rewards, £52 12*.

The Institution sent a letter of appreciation to the coxswain and crew.