FAULTY COMPASS Penlee, Cornwall. At 11.30 p.m. on 6th May, 1964, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a boat had been seen flashing a light 50 yards off Prah sands. Shouts for help were also heard.

At 11.45 the Life-boat Solomon Browne launched in a moderate sea. The tide was flooding and visibility was 50 yards. At 12.15 a.m. the Life-boat saw the flashing light 50 yards south of Cudden Point.

Using parachute flares the life-boat crew identified the fishing boat as the Sheila of Penzance. The two crew on board stated that their compass was not reliable so their boat was escorted to Newlyn, which was reached at 1.30. The life-boat was rehoused at 3 p.m..