Weymouth, Dorset - At 8.28 p.m. on 12th September, 1966, red flares were sighted in Weymouth Bay. The life-boat Frank Spiller Locke left her moorings at 8.48 in a strong westerly wind and a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. She proceeded to a position two miles south of White Nothe and then saw a white flashing light under White Nothe. The life-boat fired a parachute flare and searched the area but found nothing. She then searched between Bowleaze and Shambles lighrvessel.

At 9.34 flares were reported north east of the coaling jetty in Portland harbour, and a few minutes later Weymouth harbour radio reported that red lights had been seen off the pier. The life-boat steamed in that direction and soon picked up an echo on her radar. This proved to be the casualty, the yacht Mignonette, of Southampton with two people on board.

A line was secured and the yacht was towed to Weymouth with her engine broken down and her sails torn. The life-boat returned to her station, arrivingat 10.30. A helicopter also assisted in the search..