There were no services by IRBs in December and January, which resulted in lives being saved, but in February the Whitstable,Kent, IRB went to the assistance of a speedboat.

Whitstable, Kent. At 11.30 a.m. on 2oth February, 1966, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a small speedboat had broken down and appeared to be in difficulties. A helicopter from Manston had been alerted and hovered over the casualty until she safely reached the shore. At 1.5 p.m. the honorary secretary was informed that the speedboat with one person on board was in difficulties again with engine failure and was drifting out to sea before the off-shore wind. At 1.10 the IRB launched in a strong south to south westerly breeze and choppy sea. The tide was ebbing. A helicopter from Manston also went to the speedboat's assistance. The IRB took the speedboat in tow while the helicopter stood by. The IRB returned to her station at 1.45 p.m.

The following launches were made by IRB's during the months of December, 1965, to February, 1966, inclusive: Aberdovey, Merionethshire - February 3rd.

Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire - January 31st.

Broughty Ferry, Angus - December I3th, January 30th.

Eastney, Hampshire - December 5th, 8th, 26th, February i3th.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk - December loth.

Lymington, Hampshire - December I2th, January 30th.

Redcar, Yorkshire - January 4th.

Tynemouth, Northumberland - January 24th, 30th.

Wells, Norfolk - December ijth.

Whitstable, Kent - February igth, 2oth.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight - December I2th.

November NORTH-EAST DISTRICT Whitby, Yorkshire. At 12.45 P-m- on 29th November, 1965, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that there were three keel boats still at sea in conditions that were exceptionally bad and getting worse. The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 12.55 in a northerly wind of hurricane force and a very rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat moved to stand by outside the harbour entrance. The first boat to arrive was the Endeavour which had lost all her deck gear and catch when she had been swept by a heavy sea. She was escorted safely into harbour. The wind and tide were so strong that the life-boat had great difficulty in turning into the wind but this was accomplished and the two other boats, the Queen Venture and Lead Us, were also escorted to harbour. The lifeboat reached her station at three o'clock.

The Institution sent a letter of appreciation to the coxswain and crew in recognition of the fine seamanship and skill displayed on this service.

Tynemouth, Northumberland. At 1.52 p.m. on i8th November, 1965, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a Dutch tug with the dredger Beverwjk in tow from Holland to the Tees had broken adrift and had been seen heading for the Tyne pier. At 2.7 the life-boat George and Sarah Strachan, on temporary duty at the station, was launched just as the dredger was swept outside North pier and on to the rocks.

There was a strong easterly wind and a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. Rounding the pier the coxswain saw that very heavy seas were breaking over the dredger and her fore end was only 30 yards from the pier. He asked the coastguard to set up a breeches buoy and the life-boat stood by until the BeverwjK's crew of four were safe and then returned to the station..