Buckie, Banffshire.—At 9.15 on the night of the 20th of January, 1956, the coastguard rang up to say that the local fishing boat Briarbank was tow- ing the fishing boat Katreen to Buckie, but that the weather was becoming worse. Ten minutes later the coast- guard reported that the boats were in difficulties at the entrance to the harbour, and at 9.38 the life-boat Glencoe, Glasgow was launched. The sea was very rough, a strong gale was •blowing from west-north-west, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found that the tow rope had parted and the Katreen had gone on to the rocks north-west of the pier. Her crew of five had been taken aboard the Briarbank. The Briarbank's steering gear had broken down, so the life-boat put a rope aboard with the intention oftowing her in. However, that rope parted too. The Briarbank then put out to sea under her own power, and as the life-boat was not needed, she returned to her station, arriving at 11.15. At 11.32 the next morning the coastguard telephoned that the Briar- bank was in Buckie Bay and might be in need of help. The life-boat again put to sea at 12.40. There was a heavy swell, but the wind had dropped slightly and the tide was flooding.

The life-boat escorted the Briarbank into the harbour, arriving at two o'clock. Rewards: first service, re- wards to the crew, £12 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s; second service, rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12*..