Wells, Norfolk. At 9.30 on the even- ing of the 14th July, 1961, the coast- guard informed the honorary secretarythat a yacht was in distress off Blakeney.

There was a moderate west-south- westerly wind and a smooth sea with an ebb tide. At 10.15 the life-boat Cecil Paine put out, and a quarter of an hour later a message was received that flares had been seen west-north-west from the coastguard look-out at Wells. A flare was sighted from the life-boat shortly afterwards. The life-boat signalled an acknowledgement with her searchlight and received an answer. The casualty, a converted ship's boat, was found about four miles north of Scott Head with a broken water pump. The second coxswain of the life-boat went on board the boat Boy John, which had a crew of two, to give assistance, and the life- boat then took her in tow to Wells.

On reaching the bar the coxswain waited until the flood tide and then made for Wells quay. The life-boat finally reached her station at 6.45 in the morning..