Margate, Kent.—At 1.6 early on the morning of the 20th of July, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that a fishing boat was overdue. At 1.18 the life- boat North Foreland (Civil Service No.

IT) was launched in a heavy sea, with a fresh north-easterly breeze blowing and an ebbing tide. She searched in heavy rain and fog and found the Flirt, of Whitstable, ashore on the Columbine Sands, Isle of Sheppy.

The life-boat stood by until the fishing boat refloated at 7.30. She then escorted her to Whitstable and arrivedback at her station at 12.45.—Rewards to the crew, £22 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 14s..