Rescues by IRBs in August were carried out by the following stations: Moelfre, Anglesey - At 4.55 p.m. on 8th August, 1966, a small boat was reported drifting out to sea off Moelfre island. The IRB was launched at 5 o'clock in a moderate sea and a south westerly breeze. It was one hour after high water.

The IRB returned to her station at 5.45 with the two small boats, Edith and Glen, in tow and their five occupants aboard.

At 7.45 p.m. on 8th August, 1966, a motor launch with four people on board was stated to be in distress with a broken down engine one mile north east of the boathouse. At y.5O the IRB was launched in a choppy sea and a south westerly breeze. It was three hours after high water. The launch Marilyn was found close to some rocks from which she was towed clear. The IRB then picked up one of the Marilyn's crew off Moelfre beach, where he had previously been landed, and towed the launch with her four occupants to Dinas beach. The IRB returned to her station at 8.45.

At 8.35 a.m. on loth August, 1966, a small boat with three people on board was reported in distress one mile south of the IRB station. At 8.40 the IRB was launched in a strong south westerly wind and a rough sea. It was three hours after high water. The IRB brought the boat and her three occupants safely ashore, and returned to her station at 9.30.

West Kirby, Cheshire - At 12.40 p.m. on 3rd August, 1966, a boat was reported to have capsized off West Kirby slipway. One man was clinging to the capsized boat and another was waving from a moored fishing boat. The IRB was launched at 12.50 in a moderate to fresh north westerly wind and a heavy ground swell. It was one hour before high water. She proceeded to the casualty and, as she approached, the man lost his hold and floated face down in the water. One of the IRB crewmen entered the water to help get the man into the IRB. Artificial respiration was applied to the survivor, who was unconscious, while the IRB returned to the slipway. He was then taken to hospital where he later recovered.

The IRB then went out to the fishing boat and picked up the second survivor. She returned to her station at 1.30.

Blackpool, Lancashire - At 3.55 p.m. on 6th August, 1966, a cabin cruiser appeared to be in difficulties off the South pier. The IRB was launched five minutes later in a north westerly wind and a moderate sea. It was two hours before high water. The casualty was found to have broken down. She was towed by the IRB to Squires Gate. The IRB returned to her station at 4.45.

Largs, Ayrshire - At 9 p.m. on 29th August, 1966, a motor boat with two people on board had broken down in Largs bay. At 9.15 the IRB was launched in a strong south easterly wind and corresponding sea. The motor boat with her crew of two on board was towed ashore by the IRB. She returned to her station at 945- At 9.30 a.m. on loth August, 1966, a yacht with three persons aboard was reported ashore at the north end of Largs bay. At 9.45 the IRB was launched in a strong south south westerly wind and a rough sea. The IRB towed the yacht to Largs pier. On the way to her station the IRB crew noticed the motor boat Samantha filling with water at her moorings.

She, too, was towed to Largs pier.

The IRB returned to her station at 11.30.

NORTH-EAST DISTRICT Amble, Northumberland - At 7.45 p.m. on I5th August, 1966, a sailing dinghy was in distress outside the harbour entrance. The IRB was launched at 7.50 in a north westerly breeze. It was low water. The IRB rescued the dinghy's crew of three who had managed to board the dinghy after being thrown into the sea when she broached to in the broken water on the harbour bar. The life-boat Millie Walton stood by as the IRB returned to her station at 8.25.

Tynemouth, Northumberland - At 12.38 p.m. on loth August, 1966, the north pier light-keeper reported that a small boat with a broken down outboard motor was in difficulties off the pier. The IRB was launched at 12.43 in a south westerly gale and heavy seas. It was three hours after high water. The IRB reached the casualty and towed the boat back to the beach. The IRB returned to her station at 1.15.

At 5.17 p.m. on i2th August, 1966, a small boat was in distress to the east of the pier. At 5.30 the IRB was launched in a slight swell and an easterly breeze. It was just before high water. The IRB found a boat being towed by a motor boat and checked outside the harbour to determine whether she was the reported casualty. On returning, it was seen that the tow had been cast off in the harbour, but the small boat had again broken down.

She was taken in tow by the IRB and her three occupants landed on the beach. The IRB returned to her station at 6.1.

Redcar, Yorkshire - At 4.10 p.m. on 28th August, 1966, a small boat was in distress half a mile off the beach between Marske and Redcar. At 4.12 the IRB was launched in a moderate sea with a south easterly wind. It was one hour after high water. The IRB reached the boat, the Marney Lunn, which had engine failure, and took her in tow, reaching her station 4.40.

Cullercoats, Northumberland - At 2.15 p.m. on 25th August, 1966, a canoe was reported to have capsized 150 yards east south east of Cullercoats harbour.

The IRB was immediately launched in a moderate northerly breeze with a moderate swell. It was two and a half hours after high water. The occupant of the canoe was rescued and the IRB returned to her station at 2.40.

SOUTH-EAST DISTRICT Southwold, Suffolk - At 4.41 p.m. on 28th August, 19663 a small outboard dinghy was reported to have capsized on the bar outside the harbour entrance. At 4.45 the IRB was launched in a south easterly breeze and a moderate swell. It was low water. The IRB picked up one of the occupants of the dinghy and took aboard the other occupant who had been picked up by a rowing boat, which was towed back to the beach. The IRB then towed in the dinghy, returning to her station at 5.30.

At 4.5 p.m. on ist August, 1966, a small yacht was noticed aground on the sand bar at the harbour entrance. It was being pounded by breaking seas. At 4.12 the IRB was launched in a north north easterly wind and a rough sea. It was one hour before low water. The crew of the yacht Calypso - a man and his two sons - were taken off and landed, then the IRB stood by as attempts were made to refloat the yacht. These were later abandoned, and the yacht sank. A helicopter was also called out. The IRB returned to her station at 5.25.

At 9.30 a.m. on 23rd August, 1966, a small outboard dinghy was reported to have capsized on the shoal outside the harbour. The IRB was launched at 9.35 in a north westerly breeze. It was at high water. The IRB picked up a man and a small boy, in a state of exhaustion who were clinging to the dinghy's hull. They were landed at the station at 10 o'clock and taken to hospital where they recovered.

A helicopter was also alerted.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk - At 11.6 a.m. on loth August, 1966, information was received that a girl bather was drifting out to sea on an air bed. At ii.8 the IRB was launched in a south westerly wind and a slight sea. It was just after low water. The girl was rescued and taken to the beach. The IRB returned to her station at 11.35. A R.A.F.

helicopter was also called out.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex - At 2.55 p.m. on 20th August, 1966, a dinghy was washed ashore at the Thames Estuary yacht club. The IRB was launched at 3.2 in a slight south easterly breeze and calm sea to search. The tide was flooding. The IRB rescued two people. She returned to her station at 3.50.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT Eastney, Hampshire - At 11.50 a.m.

on gth August, 1966, a number of people were reported stranded on the East Winner bank. At 12.5 the IRB was launched in a choppy sea and a south westerly wind. It was two hours after low water.

The IRB picked up three adults and three children, transferred them to the harbour master's launch, and returned to her station at 12.25.

Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent - At I p.m.

on ist August, 1966, a sailing dinghy was reported in difficulties with a torn sail about one and a half miles offshore. The IRB was launched at 1.2 in a strong south westerly wind and a rough sea. It was 40 minutes after high water. An unsuccessful attempt was made to tow in the dinghy, and eventually her occupants had to be transferred to the IRB and the dinghy abandoned. The survivors were landed, and the IRB returned to her station at 1.25.

At 1.45 p.m. on i4th August, 1966, an IRB crew member informed the honorary secretary that a sailing dinghy had capsized and, although having righted her, the crew were making no headway in the direction of the shore.

The IRB was launched at 1.55, nearly three hours after high water, in a south westerly breeze and a moderate sea.

When the IRB reached the casualty, a 10 year old boy was taken aboard, and his father stayed in the dinghy while it was being towed. After the dinghy had again capsized, the father was also taken aboard, the dinghy righted by the crew, and successfully towed back to the IRB station, arriving at 2.55.

Exmouth, Devon - At 5.50 p.m. on agth August, 1966, two boys were reported trapped by the tide at Parson and Clarke point. The IRB was launched at 6.5 in a westerly breeze and a slight sea.

It was one hour before high water. The boys were picked up and landed on Dawlish beach. The IRB returned to her station at 6.51.

Mudeford, Hampshire - At 2.40 p.m. on 3rd August, 1966, information was received that a sailing dinghy had capsized in the harbour and her crew appeared to be in difficulties. She had been under observation for some time.

The IRB was launched at 2.45 in a gale force south westerly wind and a choppy sea. It was high water. When she reached the casualty she found that the crew were struggling to right the dinghy, whose mast was stuck in the mud. The IRB righted the dinghy, took her occupants aboard, and towed her ashore. The IRB returned to her station at 3.5.

SOUTH-WEST DISTRICT Newquay, Cornwall - At 1.30 p.m.

on 28th August, 1966, while on passage to Fistral, the crew of the IRB saw two skin divers in difficulties offCrebba rocks.

There was a south easterly wind with a moderate swell. It was three hours after low water. The skin divers were taken ashore at Little Fistral. The IRB continued on her way at 1.47.

At 7.21 p.m. on 20th August, 1966, four youths were reported to have been cut off by the tide at Barrowhead. At 7.25 the IRB was launched in a light northerly breeze and a moderate swell. It was five hours after low water. The four youths were rescued. The IRB arrived back at her station at 7.35.

Borth, Cardiganshire - At 3.20 p.m.

on 2oth August, 1966, a skin diver was reported missing off the causeway at Wallog. At 3.24 the IRB was launched in a north easterly wind. The tide was ebbing.

The missing diver was spotted about a quarter of a mile north of the causeway and was picked up. The IRB returned to her station at 5 o'clock.

Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire - At 4 p.m. on 5th August, 1966, a speedboat was stated to have capsized off Gimblett rock and its occupants were in the water.

The IRB was launched at 4.10 in a moderate sea with a corresponding west south westerly breeze. It was low water.

The speedboat's crew of three were rescued and landed, and the speedboat then recovered. The IRB returned to her station at 6.30.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire - At 12.45 P-m- on 4tn August, 1966, a visitor on the sea front informed the coxswain that a small sailing craft with three people on board had capsized in the middle of Swansea Bay. The IRB was launched at 12.43 in a strong westerly wind and a moderate sea. It was five hours after high water. She righted the yacht and towed the casualty to the lifeboat house. The IRB returned to her station at 1.15.

At 9 p.m. on i3th August, 1966, a witness informed the coxswain that a small boat with four occupants was in difficulties in Swansea bay. At 9.5 the IRB was launched in a moderate sea and a south westerly wind. It was four hours after high water. The casualty was found to have a fouled anchor and a broken down engine. She was towed to the IRB station, which was reached at 9.30.

At 2.50 p.m. on I5th August, 1966, a small dinghy was reported to be drifting about three miles offshore. The engine had failed. It had three persons on board.

At 2.55 the IRB was launched in a westerly wind and a moderate sea. It was four after low water. The IRB took the dinghy in tow, and returned to her station at 4.5.

Porthcawl, Glamorganshire - At 1.5 p.m. on 27th August, 1966, a bather was reported in difficulties. The IRB was launched at 1.7 in an easterly breeze, two hours after low water. The bather, a boy of n, was picked up exhausted. He was landed and taken to hospital where he was detained for 24 hours. The IRB returned to her station at 1.20.

At 7.26 p.m. on igth August, 1996, two life-guards were noticed drifting out to sea off Locks Common on their surf boards. The IRB was launched at 7.29.

It was five hours after low water. The life-guards were landed safely, and the IRB returned at 8.5. The life-guards had gone to assist two women thought to be cut off by the tide, which proved too powerful for the life-guards. The women were, in fact, safe.

See page 279 for other IRB launches.

MAY SCOTTISH DISTRICT Thurso, Caithness-shire - At 6.2 p.m. on 2nd May, 1966, it was reported that a small fishing boat was drifting on to rocks at St. John's Point, Mey. The life-boat Pentland (Civil Service No. 31) was launched at 6.30 in a slight south easterly wind and a slight sea. It was one hour before high water. When she was off Dunnet Head the life-boat received an R/T message that the casualty - the m.f.v. Rose Valley of Wick - was underway and proceeding slowly towards Stroma harbour. As the vessel's engine was still faulty the life-boat towed her to Scrabster harbour, arriving back on station at 11.35.

NORTH-WEST DISTRICT Largs, Ayrshire - At 6.50 p.m. on 25th May, 1966, a message was received that a motor boat had broken down off Ashcraig, between Largs and Skelmorlie.

The IRB was launched at 7.15 in a moderate to fresh south westerly wind and a slightly choppy sea. She found the motor boat, which had engine failure, about a quarter of a mile off shore and drifting towards the shore.

There were five people on board. The IRB towed the casualty back to Largs.

She returned to her station at 8.30.

At ii a.m. on 28th May, 1966, while out on exercise, the crew of the IRB saw a dinghy capsize. There was a strong south south easterly wind and a swell, When the IRB reached the dinghy one of her crew had to go overboard to assist in getting the dinghy's crew - a man and a young boy - aboard the IRB. The dinghy was righted and towed to Cairnie's quay. Information was then received that two catamarans were missing. The IRB carried out a search and found them beached at Fairlie. She returned to her station at 12.30 p.m.

iyi 4.

Mr. K. Der ham, of Mudeford, Christ- church, Hants., has given a mast and yard-arm to the IRB station at Mudeford, and the Highcliffe Sailing Club has contributed £30 towards the cost of its installation. The mast, incidentally, was from a sailing boat owned by Mr.

Derham's grandfather..