MEN FOUND IN ROWING BOAT AFTER SEARCH Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At three o'clock on the morning of the l l t h October. 1962. the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that three fishermen had set off at eight o'clock the morning before to fish in the estuary of the Blackwater river and had been expected to return during the afternoon.

The police had also learnt that the fishermen's car was still at West Mersea, where they had embarked. There was a light north-east breeze with a slight sea.

It was foggy and visibility was very poor.

It was decided to wait until daylight before launching the life-boat. At 6.40 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched on the flooding tide. When she reached the Blackwater river an extensive search was made and the motor boat was found with no one on board half a mile west of Bradwell Power Station. Further up the river three men were found in a rowing boat making little progress against the tide. They had left the motor boat and had rowed up the Blackwater river and when found by the life-boat were trying to return to their motor boat. They were cold and exhausted. They were taken on board the life-boat and given food and hot drinks. The motor boat, whose engine had broken down, was taken in tow to West Mersea. The life-boat then returned to her station, which she reached at 10.45..