AT 2.24 on the morning of the llth January, 1962, the Deal coastguard in- formed the honorary secretary of the Margate life-boat station, Mr. H. B.

Fleet, that a small vessel had been seen by the Dutch motor vessel Lingestroom showing red lights two miles north-east of the Tongue lightvessel. It was an anticipatory message, for the coastguard was trying to get more information from the lightvessel.

At 3.7 the coastguard reported that the vessel was now burning flares three miles north-north-east of the light- vessel. Mr. Fleet ordered the maroons to be fired, and at 3.30 the Margate life- boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11), which is one of the 46-foot 9-inch Watson type, put out. It was high water, a near gale was blowing from the south-south-west, and there were rain squalls. At 4.50 the life- boat reported seeing a small light, and five minutes later the Lingestroom, which had picked up the vessel on her radar screen, reported her position as being six and three quarter miles north- north-east of the Tongue lightvessel.

The Margate life-boat came up with the casualty at 5.15 and found her to be the Belgian trawler Vert Rouwen. The trawler, which was about 50 feet in length and drawing 11 feet, had a crew of five. She was rolling heavily and during the night had lost both her anchors. Coxswain Denis Price decided to try to tow the trawler to Margate roads.

By now the wind had increased to a whole gale. The tide was setting north- east at 1| knots, and there was a heavy sea running. Towing began at 5.35, but little headway was made. After the vessel had been in tow for nearly five hours the tow parted. By then the life- boat and the trawler were still near the Kentish Knock sands. When the tow was reconnected the coxswain could do little but try to keep the trawler clear of the sands, for the crew still refused to abandon ship.

Increased to Violent Storm The wind continued to increase until noon, by which time there was a violent storm, but later it decreased gradually.

Between 10.30 and 2.30 in the afternoon the tow parted five times. During attempts to reconnect the tow the life- boat suffered damage to her port fender belting, and the coxswain feared she might be damaged under water.

When the tow parted for the fifth time the life-boat was abeam of the South Knock buoy, and by this time there was enough water for the trawler to drift over the sands without risk of damage. Coxswain Price asked for the help of a tug and of the Ramsgate life- boat.

Second Life-boat Called Out The Ramsgate life-boat Michael and Lily Davis, which is also one of the 46-foot 9-inch Watson type life-boats, left her moorings at 2.45. The Margate life-boat continued to stand by until the Ramsgate boat reached her at 5.28.

The Margate life-boat then returned to her station, where she arrived at nine o'clock. The Ramsgate life-boat stood by until a tug reached the trawler at 10.18 in the evening. She then returned to her station, where she arrived at 2.30 in the morning.

The Margate life-boat was out on service for over eighteen hours, and in view of the very arduous conditions the Commitee of Management voted extra monetary rewards to her crew.

The British Consul in Ostend re- ceived a letter of appreciation from the skipper of the Belgian trawler..