Rescues by IRBs in March were undertaken by the following stations: SOUTH-EAST DISTRICT Whitstable, Kent - At 6 p.m. on 26th March, 1966, following the completion of a previous service, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a man with his five year old son had put off in a small dinghy from Shell Ness and were being swept out to sea by the ebbing tide and offshore wind. The IRB launched immediately in a strong south westerly breeze for Shell Ness. Meanwhile another man, who had put off in his rowing boat to assist the dinghy, was also being swept out to sea. The IRB towed both boats to the beach at Shell Ness, and returned to her station at 7.10 p.m.

CANOEISTS SAVED At about 12.5 p.m. on 26th March, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that some 24 boys in canoes were in difficulties about one mile offshore near Herne Bay Pier. At 12.10 the IRB launched in a strong south westerly breeze and corresponding sea. The tide was flooding. A helicopter was diverted from another call and picked up seven of the boys. The IRB took five boys on board but was unable to save their canoes which were later recovered by trawlers from Whitstable. The IRB returned to her station at 1.15 p.m.

NORTH-EAST DISTRICT Redcar, Yorkshire - At about 8.50 a.m. on nth March, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that he had seen a small fishing boat in difficulties half a mile off Redcar. At 8.50 the IRB launched in a strong north westerly breeze and corresponding sea. The tide was ebbing. The IRB guided the boats which had shipped a good deal of water, to a safe part of the beach where she was beached with the aid of a line. The IRB returned to her station at 9.10 a.m.

Tynemouth, Northumberland - At 11.55 a.m. on 2Oth March, 1966, a small rowing boat with two people on board was reported in difficulties with a broken oar one mile east of Tynemouth. At 11.59 the IRB launched in a fresh gusting to strong south westerly breeze and slight swell. The tide was flooding.

The small boat was towed up river to the pilot jetty. A pilot cutter contacted the IRB crew and informed them a boat of the same type was missing. The IRB searched the area but could find no trace of the missing boat. On reaching her station at 1.48 p.m. a further check revealed that the reported missing boat was in fact the one that the IRB had towed in.

SCOTTISH DISTRICT Droughty Ferry, Angus - At 12.20 p.m. on 3ist March, 1966, the coxswain saw a canoe with two persons on board being swept downstream. At 12.30 the IRB launched in a gentle north westerly breeze and slight sea. The tide was ebbing.

The IRB rescued the two persons and their canoe, returning to her station at 1.15 p.m.

See page 196 for other IRB launches.

APRIL IRISH DISTRICT Arranmore, Co. Donegal - At 12.45 p.m. on 16th April, 1966, the doctor nformed the honorary secretary that it was essential that an expectant mother on Tory Island was transferred to Dungloe Hospital as there was no medical aid available on the island. The conditions, however, were too severe for an ordinary boat to make the crossing to Tory. The life-boat W. M. Tihon was therefore launched at 1.30 in a strong northeasterly wind and a rough sea. It was three hours before high water. She reached the island, collected the patient, and landed her at Burtonport, afterwards returning to her station at 8.5.

Youghal, Co. Cork - At 11.15 p.m.

on ist April, 1966, a fisherman informed the honorary secretary that a salmon yawl was in difficulties off Youghal. As the weather was bad the life-boat J. B.

Couper of Glasgow was launched at 11.41 in a strong north north easterly breeze and a calm sea. It was low water. After unsuccessfully searching outside the harbour, flashing from an electric torch was seen inside the overfall on the eastern side of the harbour. Approaching in very shallow water, the life-boat reached the yawl at 11.50 and took her in tow, arriving at her station at i o'clock.

Portrush, Co. Antrim -At 12.10 a.m.

on 4th April, 1966, the coastguard advised the honorary secretary that a red flare had been seen two miles north-east of Rhu Point, Rattlin Island. The life-boat Lady Scott (Civil Service No. 4) was launched in a light south-easterly wind and a moderate sea. It was low water.

When she reached the position given it was found that the motor launch Impetus, whose engine had failed, had been driven on to the rocks. The crew had already been rescued and were safe on the island.

The life-boat continued on to Church Bay and embarked the survivors. She then returned to her station at 8.30.

Peel, Isle of Man - At 4.55 a.m. on 22nd April, 1966, the coastguard in- formed the honorary secretary that the m.f.v. Ailsea had run ashore half a mile north east of Jurby Head. The crew of the life-boat assembled, but a message was then received that the vessel was in no immediate danger, and the life-boat was re-housed. At 7.45 the m.f.v. Ailsea asked the life-boat to stand by. The lifeboat Helena Harris was launched at 7.50 in a strong south-easterly wind, a very rough sea and heavy rain. It was two hours after low water. At 9.20 the life-boat reached the m.f.v. Ailsea and stood by. A line was fired to the casualty, and the lifeboat assisted in the refloating of the vessel, which was completed at 10.20. The m.f.v.

Ailsea returned to Peel Harbour and tied up at 12 noon. The life-boat's return, however, was delayed by a rope which fouled the port propeller, but she arrived at her station at 2 o'clock.

Port St. Mary, Isle of Man-At 6.20 p.m. on i6th April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that flares and a signal fire had been sighted on the north end of the Calf of Man. There was a strong easterly wind with a moderate sea. The tide was flooding. The lifeboat R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 2 left her moorings at 6.45, taking the mechanic's dinghy as she could not go alongside the landing stage on the island. Upon arrival, it was found that the warden of the Calf of Man needed medical attention as a large fish hook was embedded in his hand.

The warden, who was suffering from shock, was embarked and brought back to the life-boat station at 8.30. A doctor met the life-boat and took the patient to hospital.

STRANDED When on service at the Calf of Man on i6th April, 1966, a request was made by a party of students, who were stranded on the island owing to the weather conditions, to be taken off as they had run out of food.

As conditions had not improved overnight, on i yth April the honorary secretary agreed that the life-boat could be used. The R. A.

Colby Cubbin No. 2 left her moorings at 9 a.m. in a strong easterly wind and a moderate sea. It was high water. She took the boarding boat with her as she could not go alongside the landing stage on the island.

The life-boat reached the island at 9.40 and the students were embarked by 10.45. She then returned to Port St. Mary and disembarked the party.

Galvvay Bay - At 20 minutes past midnight on 22nd April, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that a young man had been seriously injured in a fall from a motor scooter, and the doctor had requested the use of the life-boat to take the patient to the mainland for hospital treatment. As no other boat was available, the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson embarked the injured man, together with a nurse, and set out from her moorings at i a.m. in a strong south-westerly wind and a rough sea. It was one hour after low water. The coxswain was unable to approach Rossaveel because of very poor visibility and, had to wait at the mouth of Cashla Bay until 4.45 before attempting the passage to the pier at Rossaveel. The patient was landed and taken to hospital.

PATIENT At ii a.m. on 25th April, 1966, the local doctor informed the honorary secretary that a man with a serious haemorrhage had to be brought to the mainland for hospital treatment. The patient was embarked on the life-boat, Mabel Marion Thompson, together with a nurse, and the life-boat left her moorings at 11.30 in a moderate south-westerly wind and a smooth sea. It was three hours before low water. The patient was conveyed to Galway Docks, because of low water at Rossaveel on the mainland, and was then taken by ambulance to hospital.

Howth, Co. Dublin - At 6.35 p.m. on 30th April, 1966, the Garda informed the motor mechanic that two boys were stranded at the foot of the cliff at Castena Bay. The fire brigade had been unable to reach them. In the absence of the honorary secretary, the coxswain decided to launch the life-boat A.M.T. This was done at 6.45 in a gentle southerly wind and a smooth sea. It was two hours before high water. When the life-boat reached the bay, the boarding boat was sent in to pick up the two casualties, one of whom had sustained head injuries. A third person who had tried to reach the two boys and was stranded had to be rescued with the help of a veering line. The lifeboat returned to Howth, the crew rendering first aid to the injured boy on the way.

CLIFF FALL At 7.32 p.m. on 24th April, 1966, the honorary secretary was informed that two boys had fallen over the cliff at Whitewaterbrook.

The life-boat A.M.T. was launched at 7.42 in a light westerly wind and a smooth sea. The coxswain took the life-boat in close to the shore, and three of the crew went ashore in the boarding boat with a stretcher, and took off a sixteen- year-old boy, who had a fractured arm and leg. They returned to the shore and found that the fire brigade, Garda and a doctor had arrived via some steps leading to the shore, but that they were too steep for the stretcher. The second boy, who was 11 years old, had head injuries. He was taken out to the life-boat with the doctor in attendance, and then both doctor and casualty were landed at the west pier where an ambulance was waiting.

NORTH-EAST DISTRICT Bridlington, Yorkshire - At 9.5 a.m.

on 22nd April, 1966, the assistant harbour master informed the honorary secretary that there were three cobles at sea, and the weather was deteriorating rapidly. He said unless they were inside the harbour by 10.30 they would have to wait until mid-afternoon. One of these was heading for the north landing at Flamborough.

The life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was launched in a moderate south-byeasterly wind and a rough sea. The tide had been ebbing for three hours. She met the coble Boys' Own coming up from the north, and escorted her to safety in the harbour. The third coble My Judith was believed to be crabbing well to the south, so the life-boat headed south against the ebb to search for her. She eventually found the coble 16 miles away off Mappleton and escorted her back to Bridlington. The life-boat waited with the coble outside the harbour until she was able to get in. Also waiting outside were the motor cruiser Philander and 10 motor fishing vessels. All these were escorted into harbour.

CALL TO COBLE At i.io p.m. on 2Oth April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the fishing coble Neptune had sprung a leak while crabbing near Hornsea.

A helicopter from Leconfield was standing by the boat. The life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was launched at 1.30 in a light north-by-easterly wind and a rough sea. She reached the casualty at 2.15 and took her in tow as the engine had been swamped. The life-boat towed the coble back to the harbour, and then returned to her station arriving at 4.30.

TOO ROUGH At 8.30 a.m. on 9th of April, 1966, the Lloyd's agent told the honorary secretary that the trawler Ross Cormorant would be in Bridlington Bay at 8.30 p.m. and wished to have a sick man taken off. He had asked for a coble to go, but was told that it was too rough. He had arranged for an ambulance to be on the pier. The life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was launched at 9.10 p.m. in a moderate to fresh east-bynortherly wind and a rough sea. It was high water. She took the man off the trawler and returned to the harbour, where the patient was transferred to the ambulance.

Whitby, Yorkshire - At 10.15 a-mon nth April, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that conditions were deteriorating on the bar and harbour approaches and that the oldest boat in the local fleet was approaching the harbour. The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 10.30 in a east north easterly wind and a rough sea.

It was two hours after high water. She met the Galilee near the bar and escorted her to the harbour. She then stood by, and at intervals escorted another seven fishing boats which were returning to harbour. When all the boats were safely berthed, the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 1.25 p.m.

SEVERE At 9 a.m. on loth April, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that the m.f.v. Golden Hope was at sea and that conditions in the harbour approaches were very severe, with visibility almost nil. The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 9.10 in a easterly wind and a rough sea, which was caused by the heavy flow of water down the river meeting the severe swell at sea. It was 30 minutes before high water. In the vicinity of Rock buoy she awaited the arrival of the Golden Hope.

The life-boat contacted the vessel at 11.2 and escorted her into the harbour.

Hartlepool, Yorkshire - At 7.27 p.m.

on 2nd April, 1966, the coastguard told the motor mechanic that a yacht had capsized off the north pier. It was low water with a moderate easterly breeze and a corresponding sea. The life-boat The Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7) set out at 7.37. In the meantime the Hartlepool pilot cutter, which had observed the casualty, rescued the two occupants of the yacht and brought them ashore. The lifeboat took the yacht in tow.

Humber, Yorkshire - At 1.50 p.m.

on 30th April, 1966, a motorist told the coxswain superintendent that a small aircraft had crashed into the sea about two miles north of Spurn. There was a gentle south-easterly wind and a smooth sea. It was high water. The life-boat City of Bradford III launched at 1.55 and proceeded to the scene of the crash. As she arrived the coastguards were helping a man up the beach. The life-boat picked up some wreckage, a jacket, life-belt, pillow and a chart, but there were no signs of any other survivors. A helicopter joined the search about 10 minutes later, but after searching for over an hour found nothing. The search was then called off, and the life-boat returned to her station at 3.50. A police officer met the life-boat and took charge of the various articles which had been salvaged.

Boulmer, Northumberland - At 8.55 a.m. on 8th April, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that the coble Providence of Boulmer was late in returning. The sea in the harbour mouth was increasing and visibility was poor owing to fog and drizzle. The life-boat Robert and Dorothy Hardcastle was therefore launched at 9.5 in a light easterly wind and a choppy sea. The tide was ebbing. She came up with the Providence at 9.25 and escorted her into harbour.

SOUTH-EAST DISTRICT Walton and Frinton, Essex - At 3.30 p.m. on nth April, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that some concern was being felt for two men in a small yacht off Walton pier. The men had hailed fishermen on the pier and were obviously exhausted. One was sick. The men were bound for Harwich from Canvey Island, their boat was leaking, and the engine was giving trouble. Within a few minutes of sailing a man was seen waving an oilskin. The life-boat Edian Courtauld was launched at 4.40 in a gentle north-easterly wind and a slight sea. It was high water. The yacht Wild Goose was taken in tow at 4.53 but due to the poor condition of the yacht the life-boat was obliged to make a slow tow. They arrived in Harwich at 5.54, moored the casualty alongside the Navy Yard Wharf, and then the life-boat returned to Walton.

She arrived at her station at 8.12.

YACHT AGROUND At 4.55 p.m. on 3rd April, 1966, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a yacht had been reported to be aground on the Pye Sands, about half a mile outside the mouth of the river. The honorary secretary then telephoned a man whose house overlooks the sands and he confirmed that the yacht was high on the sands, lying abeam the wind and well on her side. He then went with the coxswain and district officer of H.M.

Coastguard to a point where they could see the casualty which was lying on a lee shore, with two anchors laid fore and aft.

The life-boat Edian Courtauld put out at 6 p.m. in a strong north-north-easterly wind and a moderate sea. It was one hour after low water. She came up with the casualty, which was the auxiliary yacht Souris of Maldon with a crew of four on board. Owing to lack of water the lifeboat was unable to get alongside, but a line was fired to her. At 7.23 the life-boat started to tow her and arrived at Harwich at 8.17. A berth was found for the yacht alongside the Trinity House vessel Vestal.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex - At 6.14 p.m. on 7th April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a message had been received from the tanker Metco advising him that two men were drifting past her in lifejackets. A further message was received from a Medway launch that the tanker Emsadler, anchored south of Mid Shoebury buoy, had reported losing several men and had launched one of her own boats to search.

At 6.37 the life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched in a choppy sea and a gentle breeze from the north-west. The tide was ebbing. It was reported later that only two men had been lost overboard from the Emsadler and that both men had been picked up. The lifeboat towed the boat back to the tanker, and on her return to the station found a small cabin cruiser Pandora anchored with nobody on board. A woman then reported that her husband and another man had been fishing in a boat which she thought was named Pandora but had not returned home. The life-boat searched but found nothing, and returned to the station with the cabin cruiser, arriving at 11.30 p.m.

A helicopter from Mansion also searched.

Lowestoft, Suffolk - At 7.42 p.m. on loth April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the trawler Ormsby Queen had an injured man on board. At 10.35 the trawler requested the help of the life-boat to convey the man ashore as she could not enter the harbour because of the thick fog and shallow water at the harbour entrance. The life-boat Frederick Edward Crick left her moorings at 10.45 in a lignt north-easterly wind and a slight sea. The tide was in flood. After searching for an hour in the thick fog the life-boat located the trawler near the North Gorton buoy and went alongside.

The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat, which returned to Lowestoft, where the man was taken to hospital. The lifeboat arrived back at her station at 2 a.m.

Dover, Kent - At 9 a.m. on 14* April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small yacht, with a crew of four on board, off Shakespeare cliffs had sent up distress flares. The lifeboat Southern Africa left her moorings at 9.34 in a snowstorm. There was a gale force easterly wind and a rough sea. It was two hours after high water. The lifeboat found the yacht Mer Gaspard, which had been blown off course while sailing from Calais to Nieuport, Belgium, anchored between Shakespeare cliffs and Admiralty pier. She towed her to a safe position in Dover Inner Harbour, and returned to her moorings at 11.30.

Sheringham, Norfolk - At 2.6 p.m.

on 8th April, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that four Sheringham crab boats were at sea in a very thick fog and might have difficulty in finding the passage back to the beach. The lifeboat James and Catherine Macfarlane, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 2.20 in a moderate sea and a light south-easterly wind. It was low water and visibility was down to 10 yards.

The life-boat proceeded to the mouth of the passage and at 2.35 the four boats were found. After passing a life-belt to each boat the coxswain advised them to wait for deeper water before attempting to get through the passage. The life-boat stood by for an hour and three-quarters, until it was deemed safe to take the boats through the passage. All the boats were beached in safety and the life-boat returned to her station at 5 o'clock.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT Plymouth, Devon - At 8.50 p.m. on 16th April, 1966, the naval authorities informed the honorary secretary that a red distress signal had been sighted due east of Penlee, near Renny Rocks. It was confirmed that the casualty was a yacht, and the life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse left her moorings at 9.5. in a moderate east-north-easterly wind and a moderate sea. The yacht jfenesta, which had had engine failure and had become becalmed, was reached at 9.30. The crew asked to be towed in, so a line was passed to her and the life-boat towed her to Millbay Docks. The life-boat returned to her station at 10.35.

Newhaven, Sussex - At 6.15 p.m. on 8th April, 1966, the coastguard informed the coxswain that one boat had capsized and another was in difficulties off Peace- haven. The life-boat Kathleen Mary was launched at 6.30 in a light south-easterly wind and a slight sea. It was one hour before low water and visibility was poor owing to thick fog. She contacted the motor boat Marianne and started to escort her to harbour. The I.R.B. had also launched and took over the escort duty while the life-boat went in search of the m.f.v. Atalanta which was reported to be on the rocks. She found the casualty west of Rottingdean and stood by until she refloated. The life-boat then escorted her back to Newhaven, and returned to her station at i a.m. next day.

A monetary gift was received by the lifeboat crew from the master of the Atalanta.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex - At 7.55 p.m. on 26th April, 1966, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a speedboat had capsized one and a half miles east-south-east of Shoreham harbour entrance. The life-boat Dorothy and Philip Constant was launched at 8.3 in a moderate east-south-easterly wind and a choppy sea. It was one hour before low water. The life-boat reached the speedboat Sheila Ann at 8.20 and found three skin divers clinging to the upturned hull.

These were immediately taken on board the life-boat, with the speedboat taken in tow. The life-boat arrived at her station at 9.30.

SOUTH-WEST DISTRICT Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset-At 11.35 p.m. on I2th April, 1966, the Barry coastguard informed the honorary secretary that two men in an open fishing boat were overdue. They had left the River Axe at midday, intending to return at dusk.

After making further inquiries, the lifeboat Calouste Gulbenkian was launched at 12.25 a.m. in a fresh north-easterly wind and a moderate sea. It was high water.

The search was successful as the boat Kincora was found anchored at the seaward end of the Brean Down. The occupants said that owing to the condition of the sea they were unable to return to Uphill as planned. The boat was towed to Knightstone, where the two men were landed. The life-boat returned to her station at 2.25.

Penlee, Cornwall- At 3 p.m. on loth April, 1966, the honorary secretary was informed that the life-boat's services had been requested at 11 o'clock to take a sick woman off a Liberian tanker. The lifeboat Solomon Browne was launched in a moderate breeze from the south east and a rough sea. It was one hour before low water. She proceeded to Newlyn to embark a doctor, nurse, and ambulance men. At 11.25 sne left Newlyn and moved to a position six miles south of Penzance, reaching the tanker G.S. Livanos at 12.45 a.m. The doctor and ambulance men were put on board and the tanker steamed further into the bay to sheltered waters, where the patient, doctor, and ambulance men were transferred to the life-boat and landed at Newlyn at 2.45. The life-boat remained at Newlyn, finally returning to her station at 10 o'clock.

Fowey, Cornwall - At 10.5 a.m. on 9th April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a vessel was submerged with about two foot of mast showing above the water, a quarter of a mile west of Polperro. The life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott., on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 10.18 in a strong south-westerly wind and a rough sea. It was one hour after high water. She found the casualty at Larrick Cove, searched the area in conjunction with a helicopter, and recovered the body of a man about 150 yards offshore. When the search was called off she took the body to Fowey and handed it over to the police. The life-boat returned to her station at 12.30 p.m.

SCOTTISH DISTRICT Dunbar, East Lothian - At 9.47 a.m.

on 3rd April, 1966, the coastguard informed the coxswain of the life-boat that the cabin cruiser Fiola of Glasgow, with a crew of three, was aground on Belhaven Sands. The owner of the cabin cruiser told the coastguard that they were bound from South Queensferry to Rochester and had deliberately run on to the sands as one of the crew was sick. In the absence of the honorary secretary the coxswain decided to go to their assistance as the Fiola was lying in a potentially dangerous position. At 9.58 the life-boat City of Bradford II, on temporary duty at the station, proceeded in a light breeze from the north-east and a slight sea. It was half an hour after low water. The coxswain asked the owner to lay an anchor to seaward and then attempted without success to fire a line aboard. However, on the flood tide the Fiola managed to pull herself off the beach using her own engines, and the life-boat escorted the cabin cruiser into Dunbar harbour, arriving at 1.42 p.m.

Stornoway, Orkneys - At 8.30 p.m.

on I2th April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a message had been received from the m.f.v. Flower that a member of her crew had severely injured his leg. The lifeboat, The Rankin, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings at 9.25 with a doctor on board. There was a fresh east-south-easterly wind and a rough sea.

It was two hours after low water. The life-boat met the m.f.v. Flower off Lumpan Head, where the doctor was transferred to the vessel and tended to the casualty. Both the Flower and the lifeboat then proceeded to Stornoway, where the life-boat returned to her moorings at i.io a.m.

Longhope, Orkneys-At 7.44p.m. on ist April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the m.f.v.

Trust of Stromness was ashore at Haven, Stroma Island, Pentland Firth, and required the assistance of the life-boat. The Longhope life-boat T.G.B. was already afloat, returning from an exercise, and proceeded immediately in a fresh northwesterly wind and a choppy sea. It was one hour before high water. She picked up the crew of three from the m.f.v. Trust, who were safely ashore on the island, at 8.45 and landed them at Longhope.

The life-boat returned to her station at 10.40.

Arbroath, Angus - At 1.33 p.m. oa 9th April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the motor fishing boat Evening Star was lying off the harbour. At 1.45 the life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn, on temporary duty at the station, was launched in a rough sea and a gale from the south east.

It was 11 hours after low water. She crossed the harbour bar and escorted the Evening Star, skippered by the coxswain of the life-boat, into harbour. The life-boat returned to her station at 2.25.

Islay, Inner Hebrides - At 7.30 p.m.

on 29th April, 1966, a man informed the honorary secretary that a motor fishing vessel was in trouble off the Isle of Jura.

The help of the Islay life-boat had been requested as the vessel's engine had exploded and a crew member had been injured. The life-boat Francis W. Wotherspoon of Paisley was launched at 7.40 in a moderate south westerly wind and a choppy sea. It was low water. The coastguard told the honorary secretary that the injured man was being taken ashore by a local boatman, but that the m.f.v. May of Port Charlotte, Islay, still required the life-boat's assistance. She found the casualty at Lagg Point with her engine shattered by the explosion. The vessel was towed to Crinan, and the lifeboat returned to her station at 5 a.m. The fishing vessel's owner has since made a donation to the Institution's funds.

Gour don, Kincar dineshir e - At 11.10 a.m. on 22nd April, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that the fishing fleet was having difficulties at the harbour entrance. The life-boat The Edith Clauson-Thue was launched at 11.22 hi a strong south-easterly wind and a rough sea. It was one hour and a half after low water. She escorted all the fishing boats to safety and returned to her station at 4 p.m.

NORTH-WEST DISTRICT Llandudno, Caernarvonshire - At 4 p.m. on nth April, 1966, the coxswain informed the assistant honorary secretary that a small yacht was getting into difficulties in the bay. The coastguard was contacted, and after setting a watch they said that the yacht did not appear to require assistance. The life-boat crew, however, stood by. Later the coastguard lost sight of the yacht, so the life-boat Lilly Wainwright was launched at 6.10 in a moderate south-easterly wind and a rough sea. It was two and a half hours after high water. When the casualty was reached she had drifted about eight miles.

The crew of three were in a distressed condition and numb with cold. They were taken on board the life-boat, given hot soup and wrapped in blankets. The yacht was taken in tow, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 8.45.

A helicopter assisted in the search for the yacht.

Troon, Ayrshire - At 4.20 p.m. on 9th April, 1966, the police told the honorary secretary that a dinghy had capsized off Croy Hotel and two people were hanging on to the boat. The lifeboat James and Barbara Aitken was launched at 4.35 in a strong east-southeasterly wind and a rough sea. It was three hours before low water. She proceeded to the position given and started to search.

At 6.35 the coastguard advised the lifeboat that the occupants of the dinghy had been landed. She picked up the dinghy and returned to her station at 8.50.

Holyhead, Anglesey - At 12.29 a.m.

on i8th April, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the m.v. Kilkenny had sighted red flares about 10 miles north-west of Skerries lighthouse. There was a gale from the east-north-east with a very rough sea.

The tide was ebbing. The life-boat St.

Cybi (Civil Service No. 9) was launched 10 minutes later and proceeded to the position given. At 2.5 the Kilkenny reported that she had taken the crew of five off the yacht Shelmelier and was going to meet the life-boat. The life-boat, however, was unable to take the five survivors off the Kilkenny due to the very heavy seas and severe weather conditions.

At 2.58 the life-boat came up with the yacht and a tow line was made fast but this parted at 9.14 and, as the seas were too rough to make fast a further line, the yacht was abandoned. The life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 11.25.

She was placed on moorings in the inner harbour until the weather moderated sufficiently for her to be rehoused at 8 p.m. A donation was made to the Institution by the owner of the yacht.

Hoylake, Cheshire, and Rhyl, Flintshire - At 9.25 p.m. on 8th April, 1966, the shipping agent to the m.v. Bierum informed the Rhyl honorary secretary that the vessel had gone aground a quarter of a mile east of Point of Air lighthouse.

The life-boat Lucy Lavers, on temporary duty at the Rhyl station, launched at 11.10, and the life-boat Clara and Emily Barwell, on temporary duty at Hoylake, launched at 11.55. Both life-boats went alongside the vessel and their coxswains went aboard. After consultation with the captain, it was agreed to attempt to refloat the vessel at high water. The attempt, however, was unsuccessful, and on the ebb tide it was decided that both lifeboats would return to their stations. The Hoylake life-boat arrived at her station at 5.25 a.m. and the Rhyl life-boat at 5-30.

Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire - At 11.40 a.m. on 24th April, 1966, a police inspector informed the honorary secretary that a car or van had gone over the cliffs and into the sea, close to the Aberdaron look-out hut. As no other suitable craft was available to take divers to investigate, the life-boat White Star, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 2 p.m. with a police officer and four skin divers on board. There was a light south-westerly wind and a slight sea. The tide had been ebbing for two hours. While on course for Aberdaron some wreckage was picked up which appeared to be part of a van. Upon arrival at a position under the look-out hut the divers went down, and when they returned they reported that a cream van was lying in about 30 feet of water. The steering wheel was recovered but there was no trace of the driver. The search was then called off and the life-boat returned to her station at 8 o'clock.

New Brighton, Cheshire - At 6.30 p.m. on 3rd April, 1966, the coxswain informed the honorary secretary that a motor fishing vessel was aground on the revetment wall a quarter of a mile northwest of the New Brighton lighthouse. The life-boat Norman B. Corlett was launched at 6.50 in a light north-easterly wind and a smooth sea. It was just past low water.

At 7 o'clock the life-boat reached the m.f.v. Orian of Fleetwood, and stood by until she refloated on the rising tide.

The life-boat then escorted her as far as New Brighton, and returned to her station at 7.20.

The following life-boats were also called out in April: Aberdeen - ist.

Broughty Ferry, Angus - 28th.

Cromer, Norfolk - 3rd.

Donaghadee, Co. Down - 4th.

Dungeness, Kent - 5th.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin - 2nd.

Dunmore East, Co. Waterford - nth.

Howth, Co. Dublin - 5th and 30th.

Hurnber, Yorkshire - 2nd.

Ufracombe, Devon - i8th.

Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall - i4th and 15th.

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire - 8th.

Penlee, Cornwall - 2ist.

Rhyl, Flintshire - 24th.

St. Helier, Jersey - loth.

St. Ives, Cornwall - 20th.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey - 26th.

Salcombe, Devon - i8th.

Scarborough, Yorkshire - 4th and loth.

Swanage, Dorset - nth.

Walmer, Kent - 5th.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight - loth and 22nd.

Life-boat O.N. 44-001 Life-boat O.N. 44-001 - At 12.10 p.m.

on 26th March, 1966, while on passage from Dover to Littlehampton, the lifeboat O.N. 44-001 came upon the yacht Orion of Newhaven which was burning distress flares. She was stopped and lying broadside to a steep sea. There was a gale force south south westerly wind and a rough sea. At the same time the cross- Channel ferry Villandry arrived on the scene, and stopped. The life-boat approached the yacht and the owner asked for a tow to Newhaven. The staff socket was corroded and it was necessary to unship the ensign staff before towing could commence. When it had been removed the tow-rope was quickly passed to the yacht and made fast around the base of the gypsy-windlass. The tow started at rninimum revolutions, and the ferry, which had been giving some lee, then continued her voyage. Within a few minutes, however, the windlass came away from the yacht's deck and brought down the main mast, which broke in two.

It was obvious that there was no fitting strong enough to which the tow-rope could be secured, so it was decided to take off the crew of two young boys and a man.

MUCH WRECKAGE There was so much wreckage around the yacht that they had to be taken from the stem of the boat. The life-boat was placed at right angles against the yacht and as the first survivor came over the stem, the lifeboat was put astern. The other two survivors were rescued in a similar manner.

When the survivors were safely on board the life-boat she stood by the yacht for about 15 minutes. The owner then requested that no attempt be made to put anyone back on board because of the considerable risk involved.

It was then decided to abandon the wreck and land the survivors at Newhaven.

The life-boat eventually arrived at Littlehampton at 1.5 p.m..