Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 3.16 on the afternoon of the llth of July, 1959, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a sailing dinghy was in distress a quarter of a mile east of Mersea Island. At 3.25 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched in a rough sea. There was a fresh westerlywind and a flood tide. A helicopter was also sent from Felixstowe, and the joint search led to the finding of a dismasted catamaran with a crew of two. The helicopter rescued one of the men and landed him on the beach. The other man was rescued by the life-boat, which then took the catamaran in tow to the shelter of the river Colne. While the life-boat was returning to her station, a message was received that a yacht was in difficulties on a lee shore near Colne Point. The life-boat made for this position and found the yacht Kestrel, which had a crew of four, being driven ashore. She took her in tow to the shelter of the river, and as conditions for rehousing the life-boat were un- suitable, she continued to Brightlingsea, arriving at 8.30. The owner of the catamaran made a donation to the Institution's funds. Rewards to the crew, £14 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 9s..