Walton and Frinton, Essex. At 7.29 on the evening of the 17th of April, 1959, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small vessel was burning red flares half a mile south- east of the pier. The life-boat Cunard, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings at 7.49 in a heavy swell.

A moderate northerly wind was blowing and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found the yacht Rigel, with three United States Air Force officers on board, bound for Woolverstone. They had lost a leeboard and the outboard motor had broken down. The yacht was towed to Felixstowe dock, and the life-boat reached her station at 11.30.

The American officers expressed their thanks and made a donation to the Institution's funds. Rewards to the crew, £12 16s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5..