Aith, Shetlands. At 4.55 on the after- noon of the 4th April, 1961, Dr. T.

Hepburn informed the honorary secre- tary that a man was very ill on the Island of Foula and asked if the life- boat could be placed at his disposal as the island boat had broken down and the weather was much too rough to per- mit the use of a local boat. The request was supported by Dr. Black, Medical Officer for Health for the area. A strong south-south-easterly wind was blowing with a very rough sea. Snow and sleetshowers were frequent. At 6.10 the life- boat John and Frances Macfarlane was launched on an ebbing tide, with Dr.

Hepburn on board. Foula was reached at 9.35 and after two or three attempts the life-boat succeeded in getting along- side the small pier to put the doctor ashore. At 10.40 the doctor and patient were embarked and the return journey to Aith began. The return passage was very rough with almost continuous snow showers, necessitating very careful sea- manship. On reaching Aith the patient was transferred to a waiting ambulance and taken to hospital. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.5 on the morning of the next day..