Aith, Shetlands - At 9.10 p.m. on ist May, 1966, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the Foula mailboat had been reported overdue. She was last seen six miles east-south-east of Foula, apparently drifting. The life-boat John and Frances Macfarlane left her moorings at 9.40 in a moderate to fresh west-south-westerly wind and a rough sea. Three fishing vessels and an aircraft assisted in the search. At 12.45 a.m. a red light or flare was seen approximately one mile south east of Foula. This was found to be the missing motor vessel Melvin, with a crew of two on board and her engine out of action. The life-boat took the vessel in tow to Foula and returned to her moorings at 5.20 a.m..