Walton and Frinton, Essex. At 8.55 on the evening of the 6th May, 1961, the coastguard informed the honorary sec- retary that red flares had been seen south-east of the coastguard look-out.

At 9.20, when the life-boat Edian Courtauld put out, there was a strong south-westerly wind with a rough sea.

It was one hour before low water.

About 9.40 the steamer Hydracrete reported that the casualty was one mile south of the West sunk buoy. It was near this position that the yacht Petasus was found, with a crew of four, aground with a 45 degree list. The life-boat was unable to get nearer to the yacht than 100 yards because of shallow water, so the coxswain decided to anchor until the tide had risen enough for him to come close in. At 1.41 the next morning the life-boat took the Petasus in tow, pulled her clear and made for Harwich.

Meanwhile the Trinity House cutter Penlee, which had also put to sea, was standing by the yacht St. Barbara about half-a-mile inside the Sunk lightvessel.

The Penlee reported that she had to return to her station, so the life-boat altered course and took the St. Barbara in tow too at 5.30. The life-boat then made for Harwich with both yachts, arriving at 10.46. The life-boat reached her station again at 2.37 that afternoon..