Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—At 11.19 on the morning of the 26th of July, 1957, the coastguard telephoned that three people were drifting out to sea off Crindon Dene in a rubber dinghy.

The life-boat The Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7) was launched at 11.35 in a moderate sea. There was a fresh westerly breeze blowing and the tide was flooding. The life-boat found the dinghy about three miles north of Hartlepool and took the three people on board. They were dressed only in bathing suits and the life-boat crew supplied them with clothes and blankets and gave them hot soup.

The life-boat returned to Hartlepool, and on arrival the coxswain was told that a small motor boat, which had gone out to help the swimmers, had broken down. After landing the three rescued people the life-boat put to sea again, but the motor boat had managed to reach the beach through the use of oars, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 1.20.—Rewards to the crew, £7; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8s..