NORTH WEST DISTRICT Llandudno, Caernarvonshire - At 6.40 p.m. on 3oth May, 1967, it was learned that a boy, who had fallen off the Great Orme, would have to be taken off by boat as it would be very difficult to haul him up the cliff face. The IRB was launched at 6.45 in a slight north westerly breeze and a slight sea. The tide was ebbing. The injured boy was embarked together with a member of the mountain rescue team, and they were brought ashore. The IRB then returned to the Great Orme and em- barked four boys who were stranded, two other members of the mountain rescue team and a police sergeant. The IRB returned to her station at 8 o'clock.

Holyhead, Anglesey - At 2.35 p.m.

on I4th May, 1967, a small craft was reported to be in difficulties in the outer harbour. At 2.40 the IRB was launched in a strong easterly breeze with a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing. The dinghy's crew of two were unable to right their boat. After taking them on board the IRB crew righted the dinghy and took her in tow to the yacht club slipway. While returning to the station the IRB crew saw a sloop in difficulties half a mile north of the station. The IRB stood by while the sloop with five people on board got clear of the breakwater. The IRB finally returned to her station at 4 o'clock.

Moelfre, Anglesey - At 3.5 p.m. on 14th May, 1967, news was received that a sailing dinghy was being swept out to sea.

The IRB was launched at 3.15 in a fresh easterly breeze and a rough sea. It was high water. The IRB took the dinghy with three people on board in tow and returned to her station at 4.5.

West Kirby, Cheshire - At noon on 2 ist May, 1967, a dinghy was seen in distress off Leasowe. The IRB was taken by Land Rover and launched at 12.17 at the north east end of Meols Parade. There was a strong south easterly breeze and a choppy sea. The tide was ebbing. The IRB came up with the catamaran Bucca- neer, with a crew of two, and took her in tow. The Buccaneer's sails had been carried away and she was dismasted. The IRB brought the catamaran and crew ashore at Hoylake at i o'clock. She re- turned to her station at 2 p.m.

Morecambe, Lancashire - At 11.15 a.m. on 24th May, 1967, it was learned that a yacht had capsized one and a half miles east of the station. The IRB was launched in a strong south westerly breeze and a slight swell. It was high water. The IRB rescued the occupant of the dinghy and brought him ashore where an ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital. The IRB returned to her station at i o'clock.

Holyhead, Anglesey - At 10.30 a.m.

on 2ist May, 1967, a catamaran was seen to capsize half a mile north west of the station. The IRB was immediately launched in a south westerly gale and a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing. The catamaran's crew of two were embarked and the IRB then returned to her station which was reached at 11.40. A Trinity House tender took the catamaran, named Tearaway, in tow.

Aberdovey, Merionethshire - At about 11.15 a.m. on 291)1 May, 1967, a dinghy was seen to capsize half a mile south of the station. The IRB was laun- ched at 11.15 and rescued the dinghy's crew of five. She returned to station at 11.30.

Moelfre, Anglesey - At 4.45 p.m. on 29th May, 1967, it was learned that a dinghy had capsized one mile off Benllech and the three crew were clinging to her keel. The IRB was launched at 4.55 in a moderate south westerly breeze and a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing. The three men were embarked and the dinghy towed to the beach. Meanwhile the cox- swain received information of another casualty three miles north of the station.When the IRB was within hailing distance the IRB crew were told of a motor boat, with engine trouble, drifting out to sea.

The IRB came up with the motor boat and embarked her crew of four. The boat was towed to Moelfre beach and the IRB returned to her station at 6.20.

IRISH DISTRICT Port St. Mary, Isle of Man - At 3 p.m. on 20th May, 1967, it was learned that a sailing dinghy was in difficulties in the bay. The IRB was launched hi a strong westerly breeze and a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing. The IRB came up with the dinghy with three people on board drifting towards the rocky shore.

The dinghy was taken in tow to the life- boat slipway which was reached at 4 o'clock.

SCOTTISH DISTRICT Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire - At 6.15 p.m. on 20th May, 1967, it was reported that a sailing dinghy had cap- sized and the occupant was in the water.

The IRB was launched at 6.20 in a strong north westerly breeze and a slight sea.

The man was taken on board the IRB where he was treated for exposure. The IRB returned to her station at 6.40.

At 9.10 p.m. on igth May, 1967, infor- mation was received that a dinghy had capsized half a mile north west of the station. The IRB was launched at 9.15 in a moderate north westerly breeze and a moderate sea. The IRB embarked the dinghy's occupant who was in the water and took him ashore. The IRB then sal- vaged the dinghy, returning to her station at 945- At 12.45 p.m. on 20th May, 1967, news was received that a sailing dinghy had capsized. One of the crew was clinging to the dinghy, which was drifting to leeward, leaving the second man in the water. The IRB was launched at 1.20 in a westerly gale and a rough sea. The tide was ebbing.

The IRB embarked the man in the water and then proceeded to the man clinging 202 to the dinghy and brought them ashore.

After the dinghy had been towed ashore the IRB returned to her station, arriving at 2.5.

NORTH EASTERN DISTRICT Tynemouth, Northumberland - At 3.11 p.m. on 20th May, 1967, it was learned that a canoeist was waving for help one mile east of the station. The IRB was launched at 3.15 in a south westerly gale with a choppy sea. The tide was ebbing.

On arrival at the scene of the casualty the crew saw that a motor boat had already reached the canoeist and they escorted both boats to the shore. On reaching her station the IRB crew saw two dinghies capsize. The IRB proceeded to the first dinghy and took her crew of two off the rocks and took the boat in tow. A rescue boat, which had broken down, was also towed to safety. A second rescue boat with a fouled propeller was taken in tow, and when the engine was restarted the dinghy's two crew were put aboard her.

The IRB stood by while the second dinghy was refloated. On returning to their station the coastguard informed the crew that a canoe appeared to be in difficulties hi Herd Sand. On investigation the canoe was found to be ashore. The IRB finally returned to her station at 4.15.

Redcar, Yorkshire - At about 6.40 p.m. on 29th May, 1967, it was reported that the crew of a small fishing boat were signalling for assistance off Green Lane, Redcar. The IRB was launched in a moderate south easterly breeze and a slight sea. The tide was flooding. The IRB came up with the fishing boat King- fisher with two people on board. The engine had broken down. The IRB took the Kingfisher in tow and returned to her station, reaching it at 7.5.

At 12.55 p.m. on 2ist May, 1967, it was learned that two boys were cut off by the tide at Huntcliff. The IRB was launched at i o'clock in a gentle south south westerly breeze and a slight sea.

The tide was flooding. The two boys were embarked and the IRB then started back to her station. At this point the handgrip parted from the starter cord and the IRB had to be rowed ashore. The IRB was beached at Saltburn and re- turned to her station at 4.30.

SOUTH EASTERN DISTRICT Southend-on-Sea, Essex - At 8.13 p.m. on 4th May, 1967, information was received that a small boy was stranded on a boar 500 yards east of the station. The IRB was launched at 8.16 in a southerly gale with a rough sea. The tide was flooding. The IRB took the boy on board and returned to her station at 8.30.

Harwich, Essex - At 1.50 p.m. on 2ist May, 1967, news was received that a dinghy had capsized off Landguard Point.

The IRB was launched at 1.52 in a moder- ate south south westerly wind and a corresponding sea. The tide was ebbing.

She proceeded to Landguard Point and found the overturned dinghy with four young people clinging to her. The sur- vivors were taken aboard the IRB which returned to the shore and landed them.

After receiving first aid treatment they were conveyed to hospital by ambulance.

They were taken home by car after treat- ment. The IRB arrived back on station at 2.10.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex - At 1.20 p.m. on 7th May, 1967, it was reported that a yacht had capsized south east of the Low Way buoy. The IRB was launched at 1.25 in a fresh south westerly breeze and a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing.

The IRB found two men and took them on board. After they had been landed the IRB returned to the yacht and anchored her. She returned to her station at 2.30.

West Mersea, Essex - At 3 p.m. on 3 ist May, 1967, information was received that a dinghy had capsized off Seaview Point. The IRB was launched in a fresh north westerly breeze and a slight swell.

The tide was flooding. The IRB pro- ceeded to the area and rescued three youths, one of whom was on a submerged bank. They were taken to the beach and the IRB then returned to her station, arriving at 3.35.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT Plymouth, Devon - At 8.15 p.m. on 24th May, 1967, while the IRB was on exercise in Plymouth Sound, the crew saw a man on board a motor boat trying to recover a man from the sea. The IRB went alongside the motor boat and two of the crew went aboard to help haul the man inboard. The man had fallen over- board from his yacht Eskimo Nell while trying to retrieve the anchor. He had tried to swim ashore but had been swept back by the tide. The IRB proceeded to his yacht, lowered the sails, retrieved the anchor and then passed a tow line to the motor boat. The two boats were escorted to Sutton harbour and the IRB then con- tinued with the exercise at 9 p.m. .There was a moderate south westerly breeze with a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing.

The IRB returned to her station at 9.15.

Eastney, Hampshire - At 5.37 p.m.

on 27th May, 1967, it was learned that a sailing dinghy was in difficulties north of the Langstone Fairway buoy. The mast had gone overboard and the crew of two were signalling for assistance. The IRB was launched at 5.40 in a gentle easterly breeze and a slight swell. The tide was ebbing. The IRB took the dinghy in tow.

She reached her station at 6.25.

At 11.53 a.m. on 2ist May, 1967, a cabin cruiser with four people on board was reported to have broken down north of Langstone Fairway buoy. The IRB was launched at 12 o'clock in a strong south westerly breeze and a heavy break- ing swell. The tide was ebbing. The IRB attempted to approach the casualty from the windward but had to lie off as en- tangled ropes would have fouled the pro- peller. The helmsman then took the IRB in on the leeward side and successfully took three of the crew on board. The fourth member would not leave the cabin cruiser at this time. He eventually aban- doned the boat 50 yards from the con- fused seas on the East Winner. The IRBtook him on board and returned to her station at i o'clock. For this service, his first in command of the IRB, the helms- man was sent a letter of appreciation.

At 10.43 a-m- °n 7* May, 1967, assistance was asked for a sailing dinghy which had capsized two miles from the station. The IRB was launched at 10.45 in a strong southerly breeze with a moder- ate swell. The tide was ebbing. The IRB came up with the dinghy and took her crew of two, who were clinging to the dinghy and were very cold, on board.

After landing them on the beach the sailing dinghy Elusive was seen to capsize one mile offshore. The IRB righted the dinghy after her crew had cut away the sails and towed her to Eastney. On enter- ing the harbour a third dinghy was seen to capsize. After beaching the dinghy Elusive the IRB, together with the coast- guard rescue boat, then proceeded to her assistance. The dinghy righted herself and was escorted to safety by the IRB.

The IRB returned to her station at 12.30 p.m. A helicopter was overhead during the service.

Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent - At 3.59 p.m. on 28th May, 1967, a member of the public informed the crew that a fishing dinghy was in difficulties about one mile off shore. The IRB was launched at 4 o'clock in a fresh west south westerly breeze and slight sea. It was high water.

The dinghy's engine had broken down and her crew of two were unable to make any headway by rowing against the tide.

The IRB took the dinghy in tow and returned to her station at 4.30.

Poole, Dorset - Shortly before 8.45 p.m. on 22nd May, 1967, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small cabin cruiser was in difficulties with one man on board off Hamworthy. The IRB was launched at 8.45 in a south westerly gale and a rough sea. The tide was flooding. The IRB found the cabin cruiser with a broken rudder and took her in tow to Poole quay, arriving at 9.15.

Exmouth, Devon - At about 3.30 p.m. on 4th May, 1967, a sailing dinghy was seen to capsize. The coxswain, with his brother, immediately went to the IRB house while the second coxswain con- tacted the emergency mechanic. The IRB was towed by car to the north side of the dock and was launched at 3.30 in a south south easterly gale and a moderate sea. It was one hour before high water. The dinghy's crew of two were picked up and brought ashore. The IRB then towed the dinghy ashore and returned to her station at 5 o'clock.

See page 205 for other IRB launches..