Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—At 6.47 on the evening of the 24th of March, 1957, the Foreland coastguard telephoned that the Ryde police had reported a motor boat drifting off Sands Head buoy. The motor boat's engines ap- peared to have broken down and her crew seemed to be firing flares. The life-boat Jesse Lumb was launched at -6.56 in a slight sea. There was a gentle westerly breeze and the tide was ebbing-. The life-boat made for the position, but later received a message to say that the motor boat had now drifted near the West Mining buoy.

She altered course and came up with the motor boat Anna. The Anna's crew of three had been burning a coat on the end of a pole to attract atten- tion. The life-boat took her in tow to Portsmouth and then returned to her station, arriving at 9.30.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 5s..