Stronsay, Orkneys.—At 1.15 on the afternoon of the 12th of May, 1956, the Kirkwall coastguard reported that a Norwegian fishing vessel was ashore on Yasa Skerry and that another in attempting to help her had also run aground. The life-boat John Gellatli/ Hyndman put out at 1.40 in a rough sea, with a moderate north-westerly gale blowing and a flooding- tide. The life-boat found the motor fishing vessels Astor and Leidulf, both of Maarla, each with a crew of seven.They were in no immediate danger but requested help at. high water. The life-boat therefore put in at Kirkwall before returning to the vessels at eight o'clock in the evening. On reaching them again she found that the crew of the Leidulf had landed on the Skerry. There was a strong tide, and five attempts had to be made before the life-boat could be man- oeuvred close enough to the shore for the crew to be taken on board. The coxswain then proceeded, stemming the tide. He dropped his anchor and veered down to the bow of the Astor, whose crew by now wished to abandon her. When all the men and their belongings were aboard, the life-boat proceeded to Kirkwall, where both crews were landed. She then returned to her station, arriving at 2.30 early on the 13th of May. The master of the Astor expressed thanks to the coxswain for the help given to both crews.—Rewards to the crew, £25 12s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s..